Deconstructing the Human Experience with Amyra Soriano
A lot can be said about the complexities that make us human. Filmmaker and Balay Kreative Growth Grantee Amyra Soriano understands that life doesn’t fit neatly into pretty packaging, but through her storytelling, she tries to make it make sense.
Amyra’s short film “Miss Hot Mess” illuminates the beauty in disarray. In it, fictional pageant contestant Maya Rosari finds her life falling apart as she resorts to debauchery. Maya is Amyra’s muse to peel back some layers of the human experience.
Sometimes, deconstruction brings about an artistic form of construction. The creation of this film is a testament to Filipino Bay Area talent. Moreover, it’s a compelling reason for why we should keep telling our stories.
In an interview with Kurt Ison, Amyra discusses growing up with family expectations, self sabotage, and her thoughts on Filipino representation in mainstream media.
Profile by Anne Lizette Sta. Maria
“Being a Balay Grantee has really helped me in so many ways. We had the opportunity to attend a Masterclass series where they really gave us the space to reflect on our art and explore the ways that we wanted to grow.”
As a child, did you always know you wanted to be a filmmaker?
I think a part of me was always drawn to film. I really liked reading and writing, so storytelling was important for me. And I was exposed to the industry pretty young. My mom took me on set for a Filipino soap opera when I was about 7 or 8. And I really got a rush from that. Now, what draws me to film is the creative process, collaboration, community, and connection.
What was your favorite Filipino teleserye, or Filipino American movie or show, to watch growing up?
My favorite movie or show with a Filipino in it is The Debut with Dante Basco, Cinderella with Paolo Montalban, and Lizzie McGuire with Lalaine.
Where did you get inspiration for your pieces of fiction? Are they from real life influences?
Whenever I write, whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, I’m really just inspired by life. I am interested in peeling back the layers of what makes us human and what’s unsaid. Specifically, “Miss Hot Mess” was loosely inspired by my own experiences. I can confirm that I was a pageant girl four times—once when I was 4, again when I was 5, as a teenager, and when I was 21. But as far as everything else, I’ll leave that up for assumption.
Can you talk a little bit about your current project?
“Miss Hot Mess” is a coming of age short film about 21 year-old Maya Rosari, who is a pageant girl torn between pageantry and debauchery. The film was created by a predominantly Filipino American cast and crew, shot in the Bay Area over three days.
How has being a Balay Kreative Growth Grantee helped you grow as an artist?
Being a Balay Grantee has really helped me in so many ways. We had the opportunity to attend a Masterclass series where they really gave us the space to reflect on our art and explore the ways that we wanted to grow.
What statement are you looking to make with this film?
With “Miss Hot Mess,” I really wanted to explore identity and intersectionality, and the ways that many parts of us can coexist while we’re still evolving into better versions of ourselves. Growing up, family expectations were a big influence in my life that pushed me towards an adolescent sense of perfection and self sabotage. I also wanted to explore family dynamics and the roles that we play. One question I asked myself is, “How can you show up as the golden child and the black sheep at the same time?” At its root, “Miss Hot Mess” is really just about honoring yourself and showing up true to who you are.
“One question I asked myself is, ‘How can you show up as the golden child and the black sheep at the same time?’”
Behind the scenes of “Miss Hot Mess”
What are your thoughts on Filipino representation in mainstream media?
I think that Filipino representation is not where it needs to be yet, but I think that with films like Easter Sunday and The Fabulous Filipino Brothers and even Bitter Melon, we’re definitely on the way to having more visibility in Hollywood.
What would you say to aspiring Filipino artists? Why is it important for Filipinos to create?
I think it’s important for Filipinos to continue to create because our stories are important. To anyone who’s an aspiring filmmaker, trust yourself. There’s a lot of noise in the world but just listen to your intuition. It might be scary at first — or the whole time — but just do it scared.
“It might be scary at first — or the whole time — but just do it scared.”
Want know more about Amyra? Be sure to follow @balaykreative and subscribe to our newsletter to hear about her future artwork! Check out our interview with her below.