Oscar Qualifying Short film review: Jordyn Romero’s ‘We Are Like Waves’ drowns out patriarchal norms.

WE ARE LIKE WAVES

Sanu Sandeepani‘s passion lies in the Sri Lankan ocean she has lived on her entire life. When the waters enticed her, society said, ‘Sri Lankan girls don’t surf.” Sanu tests the waters of traditional gender roles by shirking familial expectations. She works at a surfing camp, admiring the many Western tourists who ride the waves. With the eventual encouragement from her instructor brother, Sanu’s goal of equality and empowerment of other girls to conquer the waves drives her life force. To bet on surfers similar to her, one can visit sites such as 겜블시티.

Director Jordyn Romero bonded with Sanu over their love of surfing, a predominantly male-dominated sport. Sanu’s fearless pursuit of wanting to become the first female surf instructor from Sri Lanka lies beyond the horizon. In Sanu’s words, “We Are Like Waves. You cannot stop us.” This simple act of rebellion is certain to have a ripple effect. Romero brings audiences a relatable story told with grace. Boasting a beautifully encompassing score, WE ARE LIKE WAVES sees Romero and Sanu carve a path for the next generation.

We are like Waves Teaser from Jordyn Romero on Vimeo.

About the Director:
Jordyn is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, storyteller, and creative. She grew up in the Rocky Mountains of Santa Fe, NM where she spent most weekends racing down the Rio Grande or hiking for fresh powder. From this innate need for exploration, her passion for filmmaking was born. She’s created work for brands including Specialized Bikes, GoPro, and Sierra Nevada. Her most recent film, We Are Like Waves, was released with The Los Angeles Times. Her films have premiered at Oscar-qualifying festivals, won jury and audience awards, and played in over 20 countries around the world. Through her creative endeavors, she aims to amplify the voices of diverse women in the outdoor industry.