‘F—toys’ Mastermind Annapurna Sriram Was Sick of Being Pigeonholed in Hollywood, So She Channeled John Waters to Make Her Gonzo Sexual Fantasia Debuting at SXSW

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Annapurna Sriram boasts an extensive background in the entertainment industry, appearing in notable television shows such as “The Blacklist” and “Billions,” independent films, and various other productions. However, despite her childhood passion for bold cinema from directors like John Waters, she felt she wasn’t fully realizing her creative ambitions.

In my career as an actor, I found myself frequently typecast due to my ethnically diverse background, being offered roles that were stereotypical and monotonous,” Sriram explains. “I was often given parts such as the young woman in a headscarf whose parents had arranged marriages or the doctor in various productions. These roles didn’t ignite my passion, so I thought if I truly wanted to be a doctor, I could just become one. Not only would it provide me with a better income, but it would also alleviate some of my parents’ concerns.

The journey of “Fucktoys,” Sriram’s first feature film, commenced tonight at the SXSW TV & Film Festival. Sriram took on the roles of writer, director, producer, and lead actor for this production. The movie revolves around AP, a sex worker in dilapidated Trashtown who is warned by a local psychic that she’s cursed and must earn $1,000 to perform a ritual to lift the curse. This sets off an adventure-like tale as AP, accompanied by her close friend Danni (played by Sadie Scott), faces some peculiar and possibly perilous clients.

Growing up in Nashville, Sriram frequently checked out unconventional films like “Polyester” by John Waters from the local library, fostering her desire to create a daring and vibrant movie. She soon recognized that bringing her vision to the big screen required writing the script herself. Remarkably, her ambition and luck coincided in an extraordinary way, leading to the conception of “Fucktoys.

She expresses her disappointment as an actress, stating, ‘I’ve been searching for the unusual films I long to be a part of,’ she says. In her twenties, she came to the conclusion, ‘It seems I’ll have to create these roles myself, since no one is writing the entertaining parts I desire.’ A significant breakup occurred in her late twenties, triggered by a psychic who foretold that if she didn’t end the relationship, she risked illness and a less-than-expected career. Consequently, she ended the relationship after the psychic’s advice. She admits feeling foolish at the time, like a credulous and inexperienced individual, as who would heed a psychic’s life-altering suggestions without hesitation? Heartbroken by this turn of events, she began writing scripts.

Sriram notes that several lines spoken by male characters in the movie seem like things they might say to her personally, and some of AP’s unusual scenes were based on experiences from unconventional sexual encounters. However, to maintain the film’s predominantly humorous and eccentric style, she aimed to present kink in a way that is seldom shown in modern films.

Sriram notes that when BDSM or kink is portrayed in stories, it often appears more exciting and extreme than it actually is in real life. He aims to depict these practices as ordinary, everyday occurrences to make them seem less intimidating and foreign. Fetishes and kinks are common, he suggests, and he wants to dispel any myths surrounding them by presenting them as entertaining and even comical.

The title “Fucktoys,” which is a humorous spin on “fuckboys” and represents a significant nightclub in the movie, was created by Sriram as a playful jab at concepts surrounding sexual standards.

She explains that the piece she created reflects her emotions concerning the safety of the work at the time she composed it. She desired to produce something that was bold, raw, and unapologetic, given the confined commercial environment where she resided. Additionally, she felt playful about it, enjoying the process. Later, when she brought on her producers, they all agreed that the title was catchy and memorable.

Reflecting on the lengthy journey of creating “Fucktoys,” Sriram finds herself tearing up as she recalls a touching phone call about the adult-themed movie that validated all the challenging labor, making the effort seem meaningful.

She shares that her parents have been incredibly encouraging about her achievements. Upon learning that she had succeeded in getting into SXSW, she had a heartfelt conversation with her father where he expressed regret for not being more supportive earlier on. This may have stemmed from him not fully comprehending the long-term nature of this project, as it has been an eight-year undertaking for her. It seems that he felt remorseful because he was providing support, but wasn’t entirely convinced by what she was doing. With the premiere now happening, they had a very emotional conversation. Despite the content of the project, they are overjoyed that it is complete and she can move forward with her life. However, they are also thrilled that her work will be acknowledged as art rather than just a pastime.

The movie titled “Fucktoys” is set to debut at SXSW on March 9, specifically at Alamo Lamar 5 at 9:15 pm. To secure your tickets and gain additional details about other showtimes, click here. For a sneak peek of the film, check out the trailer below.

Trailer for “Fucktoys” can be found here: [Trailer Link]

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2025-03-09 19:48