Actress/Filmmaker Salina Duplessis brings her award-winning dark comedy short film “My Name is Karma” to the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles on February 7th.

The film earned ‘Best Comedy Short Film’ when it premiered at the Urban MediaMakers Film Festival and is quickly becoming an audience favorite.

I had a chance to interview Salina to find out más about her directorial debut, “My Name is Karma”.


Tell us about “My Name Is Karma.”

SALINA: MY NAME IS KARMA follows the young and seemingly successful Robin Clarke, whose only downfall is her deadbeat boyfriend, Garrett (Rashod Freelove). When he stands her up on her birthday, a desperate Robin unknowingly incites the help of Karma personified who magically gives her the power to make sure that Garrett’s ‘Karma’ catches up with him.

This is your first time as a writer, director and estrella – what was that like?

SALINA: It was like piloting a plane and being a flight attendant at the same time!! When tu act and direct tu wear many hats. If I ever act again in a movie that I direct, my role would be very minor, not a lead.

What would tu consider your characters ‘best’ quality? And their ‘worst’?

SALINA: My character’s best quality is also her worst… She hopes her relationship will improve (she’s optimistic)….. and She hopes her relationship will improve (she’s dumb & needs to mover on) lol

Why did tu want to create this film?

SALINA: People often fantasize about revenge, but they rarely act on it. I wanted to explore that theme in this film. Also when people are in poor relationships they’re quick to blame their partner for their unhappiness. I’m really big on individuals taking responsibility for their behavior in relationships when they aren’t going so well.

What’s the biggest lesson tu learned from working on this project?

SALINA: I learned that sometimes things will not go as planned. I will be tested. But if I want something bad enough, I can make it happen.

And, now just for fun:

What’s your favorito! food?
SALINA: I’m the ultimate foodie so this is THE MOST difficult pregunta for me to answer. But I have to go with a crawfish strudel. It’s served only at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans, my hometown. It’s a puff pastry with creamy crawfish goodness stuffed inside!

gatos o dogs?
SALINA: perros - especially rescued ones!

favorito! movie from your childhood.
SALINA: The Black Stallion

Tell us one thing that would surprise our readers to learn about you.
SALINA: I drive a stick shift

How can fans keep up with you?
SALINA: Twitter: link
Facebook: link


SCREENING INFO
Pan African Film Festival – Los Angeles
Film Title: “MY NAME IS KARMA”
Screening Dates: February 7 / 9 / 14 / 16
Screening Location:
RAVE Cinemas 15 - Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza / 4200 Marlton Ave, Los Angeles CA 90008
For tickets + times visit: link