Genre
Synopsis
Synopsis:
The Songs Within Me, is a heart-warming dramedy that captures the delicate balance between aspiration and reality. It follows RUMI, a 37 year old aspiring writer who is experiencing writer’s block in the middle of writing her killer screenplay that would get her the recognition she believes she deserves.
It captures the stereotypes and sexism she and her sister faced as South Asian musicians when they first arrived in London with a dream of making their mark on the capital’s western folk music scene! It was also a moment in time that played a role in the demise of her relationship with her sister as they struggled to find their place as outsiders in the UK.
Rumi intends her story to be more of a cathartic release of frustration and a dig at the music industry that has too often turned a blind eye to the diverse voices waiting to be heard.
In reality, Rumi lives alone in a dishevelled apartment, estranged from her sister, her life revolves around a small music venue, her unlikely friendships with MAX, a jobless actor who performs at the venue with her, the manager ANGEL, a born-again Christian and BOWIE her neighbour’s quirky cat.
It’s Max who calls her out on the possible reason for her writer's block, which is letting others tell her how to write her screenplay and what she needs to do is to tell it as it happened instead of watering it down. Though her initial response is one of a bruised ego, Rumi decides to take Max’s advice and rethink her screenplay.
Together, they devise a plan to get a few of his actor friends together and do a script read of the screenplay to an audience and potential industry people.
The script read at the scratch night is a success with the actors passionately bringing Rumi’s characters to life. But unbeknown to Rumi, her sister MAYA decides to come to the event. Maya is horrified to see Rumi put their personal disputes so publicly in front of an audience, seeing it as a betrayal for her own personal gain.
This pivotal moment pushes Rumi into an existential crisis - the dark night of the soul. In her obsession with seeking her own idealistic notion of life and artistic recognition, all she has actually been doing is staying stuck in the past, whilst her sister, along with the rest of the world has moved on and she needs to do the same.
Rumi embarks on a journey of self-reflection that redefines her priori6es and what’s more valuable in her life.. and she finally gathers the courage she needs to connect with her sister.
The Songs Within Me is a late coming of age, an intimate exploration of artistic idealism, the complexites of sisterhood and the transformative power of hope.
Bio
Meneka is an Indian born Actor, Theatre & Film director. based in London and Mumbai. Her first feature 'Little Box of Sweets' won the Grand Jury Award for Emerging Talent at HBO’s South Asian International Film Festival NY. "A promising first feature....... appealing echoes of Jean Renoir's The River.." Tom Dawson Channel 4
She directed a sold out run of Tanika Gupta’s adaptation of Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ set in 1879 India, for which she received the Best Director Award 2024 at the Eastern Eye ACTAs in London.
Meneka directed series two of the BBC’s children’s programme. ‘The Dumping Ground: I’m’.
She is the recipient of the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Feature script award for her second feature script which is currently in development with the BFI. She is also developing it as a stage play with songs.
As an actor she has worked with directors such as Mike Leigh, David Yates, Tim Supple & Melly Still at the RSC, Nina Raine at the Royal Court and with Dexter Fletcher in ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ playing the role of Jer Bulsura - the mother of Freddie Mercury.
