Soyka

Director's Statement

"Soyka" is a fiscally sponsored project of the New York Foundation of the Arts. Our goal is to represent underserved audiences like ethnic minorities and women, to address their problems and to show the importance of cultural diversity. The team behind “Soyka” is a diverse mix of nationalities, ages, and gender. The setting, New York City, is one that represents the world as a center of various cultures and peoples. Our protagonist is a young woman from Belarus, with supporting characters from Kazakhstan, Eastern Europe, a Jewish-American man and more, with every character, and actor, raised in a different society and a different country. They are men and women, young and old, all now living in one city and making it the way it is: bright, big, and unique. This story also addresses another problem, Female Body Sexualization. While there are many reasons why women become exotic dancers, the overriding motive is to make money. The more attractive the dancer, the more money she will make. Beauty and sexuality act as currency in this profession, and as long as a woman can "sell" herself, she can become an exotic dancer. Strip clubs still exist, dancers are still abused, the job is still stigmatized and women’s bodies are still seen as sexual objects. By telling our story we can show audiences these characters' humanity and struggle, and motivate them to turn their empathy into action and fight for women's rights, and the rights of immigrants. The film’s script is based on a true story, making it all the more vivid, and it touches on the following important topics: ● Immigration ● Sex work ● Self-realization ● Ethnicity diversity/cultural exchange ● Womens Voices Many thanks for considering me. "Soyka" has been a long and difficult, but beautiful endeavor, and I am proud to have had the opportunity to tell this story.