Genre
Synopsis
Jesus Land is the true story of Julia Scheeres and her adopted brother David, who struggle to navigate their tumultuous childhood in rural indiana in the early 80's. The siblings strive to fit in at home and in the surrounding community, facing discrimination and prejudice. They both dream of going to Florida to be free in a diverse environment. When they rebel against their authoritarian Christian fundamentalist parents, they are sent to a reform school in the Dominican Republic, where they experience the brutality of a world built on strict religious doctrine.
Jesus Land explores themes of race, identity, religion, and family, providing a powerful critique of the harmful effects of extreme dogma and prejudice. Ultimately, it is a story of hope and survival in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. With unflinching honesty, the film reminds us that we can still find common ground and freedom, despite our differences.
Bio
Saila, a filmmaker, writer, and entrepreneur pursued a career as an electrical engineer and builder while dreaming of filmmaking and writing. After obtaining her Ph.D. in electrical engineering, Saila worked as an engineer, manager, and marketeer at IBM and at a start-up. She also founded a residential construction company, Mukti Properties.
Saila studied film at San Jose State University and was the valedictorian of the class of 2008. She made several short films before embarking on her first feature which she wrote, directed, and co-produced. The Valley is the story of an Indian American entrepreneur seeking answers after the suicide of his daughter; it is a commentary on the anxiety and depression faced by young people, especially in Silicon Valley. It was selected by over twenty film festivals and won best feature film in four, notably being invited to the Mumbai Film Festival. The Valley is currently streaming on Peacock. Her other feature screenplays include Gods and Demons, Love in the Time of Corona, Release, Gray and Jesus Land, which is currently in development. She is a member of The Writer’s Grotto, Film Fatales, and SFFilm.
Saila is married and has two grown daughters, Sabina Kariat (an animator and illustrator) and Tara Kariat (an arts administrator). She lives in the SF Bay Area with her husband and dog Kaya.
Credits
Producer - Jeff Allard
Producer - Bernard Stewart
