Experiencing Interruptions?

Paralysis

After going to bed from working all day, a young woman wakes up in the middle of the night unable to move her body. As she continues to struggle, she is met with an unknown force pushing her body down. The more she struggles, the heavier her body becomes.

  • Qianna Dookeran
    Director
  • Qianna Dookeran
    Writer
  • Talia Irish
    Key Cast
  • Qianna Dookeran
    Crew
  • Emily Fernandes
    Crew
  • Bryan Tan
    Special Thanks
  • Emily Fernandes
    Special Thanks
  • Chris Dookeran
    Special Thanks
  • Qianna Dookeran
    Producer
  • Qianna Dookeran
    Editor
  • Qianna Dookeran
    Colourist
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    4 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 14, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    713 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Canon C200
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Femme Fatale Film Festival
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 5, 2023
    Toronto Premiere-Revue Cinema
    Official Selection
  • Toronto Indie Horror Fest
    Toronto
    Canada
    October 4, 2023
    Toronto-Eyesore Cinema
    Official Selection
  • Full Haus Productions: Living Room Sessions
    Toronto
    Canada
    October 26, 2023
    Mini Screening-The Sidekick
    Official Selection
  • Winter Leopard International Film Festival
    Stockholm
    Sweden
    May 13, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Best Indie Film Award

    January 10, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Henderson Brewery Film Night
    Toronto Ontario
    Canada
    November 22, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Qianna Dookeran

Qianna Dookeran is an editor and photographer based in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Qianna has always loved movies; while she was growing up, every Friday night was a movie night for her and her family.

Her love for filmmaking started when her eldest sister would make her watch the behind-the-scenes appendices of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, almost every day, as well as the films. There wasn't a particular genre that Qianna didn't watch, besides horror. Although, her interest in horror was a self-discovery and it all started when she watched horror anime, like Berserk, Midori, Resident Evil, & Promised Neverland. Horror is one genre that, besides being afraid of it, is something she loves to explore.

Although she has written some short stories and films of her own, she has never had the chance to direct them. Her short film "Paralysis", is the first film that she directed.

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Director Statement

Paralysis is my very first Horror short film, that I have written, directed, shot and edited on my own. While I am not a fan of watching horror films, I do not mind the genre of anime.

Paralysis is inspired by my real-life struggles with sleep paralysis, the unhealthy habit of dealing with it, as well as the poor mental health I've developed.

Each behaviour, each reaction, is all based on my own. It is something I've struggled with (still do), and what others may have experienced as well.

While I have not seen too many horror films, I noticed that a lot of the horror movies I grew up with were all oversaturated with supernatural horror; or at least the films that were available to me were.

Anytime I see a film focused on mental health, I find that it's usually a drama or a coming of age story. I wanted to create something that dealt with mental health in a different light; to show how horrific these everyday (and often hidden) struggles can be.