Hank’s documentary
“Hank and Asha” a relationship through the lens
By Jenny Alvarez
James E. Duff and Mahira Kakkar (Asha) and Andrew Pastides (Hank), both are part of a romantic comedy, an Indian woman studying in Prague and a young New York filmmaker begin an unconventional romance through video letters – two strangers searching for human connection in a hyper-connected world.
Asha, born and raised in India, is studying abroad in Prague for a year. She longs for deeper connections with people, at a time in her life when everything is about to change. Hank, a filmmaker and lonely new transplant to New York City, is still reeling from a romantic breakup, and facing increasing pressure from his parents to return to North Carolina to rescue the failing family business.
When Asha sees Hank’s documentary at a film festival, she feels inspired to send him a video message. Intrigued, Hank responds in kind. Their friendship develops through an unconventional video correspondence, and as their relationship intensifies, they must decide whether or not to meet face to face.
“Hank and Asha” unfolds through the video letters they record and send to each other – a modern love story about two people searching for human connection in a hyper-connected world. It’s about isolation, identity, and the irresistible appeal of entertaining life’s what-ifs. Hank and Asha fail to meaningfully engage us for their complexity as a virtual couple. Their cameras are faithful witnesses of their attraction, a challenging basis for visual storytelling. Although together show us the best modern love story and cultural differences and the power imbalances of our modern society makes a story with a sad end between like-minded souls.
