Based on her true story, Anah Ambuchi sets out to spark a national dialogue to stop bullying
Chicago, May 1, 2018 – Ten-year-old Anah Ambuchi knows what it’s like to be bullied. As a fourth-grader, her classmates hurled insults at her, leading to depression.
To deal with her sadness, Ambuchi began writing her story in a journal that led her to write a screenplay that she is now directing as a short film, Made in His Image. She is shooting the film in various locations in Chicago this and the film is expected to be released later this year.
In her directing debut, the Hyde Park resident is sharing her true story in this short film, which she hopes will inspire, encourage, educate, and spark a national conversation on how to decrease the fact that every seven minutes a child is bullied on the playground. Over the past year, she conducted a casting call that attracted students from all around the country.
“I’m nervous and excited,” says Ambuchi who has been taking acting lessons since she was five. “I just want to make sure everything will flow.”
In talking about the importance of the film, Ambuchi says, “This bullying situation has to stop. I went through this pain and can’t believe how sad it makes me and others when it happens. … I want people to believe that their skin is beautiful and they have to believe in who they are no matter what happens.”
Ambuchi credits her mom, Naomi Morin, and her faith in God, to help her get through the bullying she endured. She remembers being called an “African booty scratcher,” “monkey”, “homo”, “ugly” and “slut.” As she was going through this, she also shared her bullying experience with her acting coach, Jossie Harris Thacker, who then gave her the book, Dark Girls, written by Thacker’s friend and mentor, Bill Duke. Ambuchi read the book in 30 minutes and was inspired by finding ways to change the culture of colorism. “After I read the book, I knew it was time to write my bullying story,” Ambuchi recalls. “I wanted to let other kids know they are not alone.”
She and mom flew out to Los Angeles where they met Duke who embraced her passion for her story. For the past year, he has been working with Ambuchi to produce a video blog and offer her advice on directing skills.
To interview Ambuchi or capture her filming and directing, contact Neil Foote at Foote Communications, neil@neilfoote.com, 214.448.3765.
