We Strangers
Written and directed by Anu Valia
World Premiered at SXSW 2024, available wide Summer 2025
RAYELLE MARTIN (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) works as a commercial cleaner in Gary, Indiana. She's mischievous, playful, and skilled at adapting to her surroundings. One day while at work, Ray is approached by Dr. Neeraj Patel, a therapist who hires her to work as his housekeeper. Who’s going to say no to extra money? Not Ray.
Dr. Patel then presents her with another offer she can't refuse: a second job cleaning his mistress’s home. At first Ray is just an observer, but then, after growing tired of being a witness, she impulsively tells one small lie: that she can speak to the dead. As Ray attempts to gain ownership over her own identity, she finds herself in an odd new position of power.
ANU VALIA is a writer/director whose roots are in India and Indiana. A graduate of NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Anu's award-winning short films have screened around the world. Her short film, LUCIA, BEFORE AND AFTER was awarded the Short Film Jury Award for US Fiction at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. Anu’s TV directing credits include SHE-HULK, THE AFTERPARTY, AND JUST LIKE THAT, SHRILL, LOVE LIFE, NEVER HAVE I EVER, AP BIO, AT HOME WITH AMY SEDARIS, FIRST WIVES CLUB, AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS, and THE OTHER TWO. She directed the pilot for Apple TV's BIG DOOR PRIZE created by Emmy-winning writer David West Read (Schitt's Creek).
This is her debut feature, and is supported by Cinereach, Sundance Institute, Women in Film, Tribeca Institute, IFP, and Hamptons Screenwriters Lab.
Cast
Kirby - as RAY - (CRUELLA/THE SANDMAN/ QUEENPINS)
Sarah Goldberg - as TRACY (BARRY/SISTERS)
Maria Dizzia - as JEAN (THE GOOD NURSE/THE STAIRCASE/MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE)
Kara Young - as MARI (OTHER PEOPLE/I’M A VIRGO)
Tina Lifford - as WILLIE (BABE, QUEEN SUGAR/THE ROOKIE)
Hari Dhillon - as NEERAJ (BAD EDUCATION/THE BEENIE BUBBLE)
Paul Adelstein as Ed (INTOLERABLE CRUELTY/THE MENU)
And introducing Mischa Reddy as SUNNY
Key Crew
Erica Hart - Director of Casting (LOVE LIFE/BLACK MIRROR)
Charlotte Hornsby - as Cinematographer (INHERITANCE/THE MASTER)
James Codyannis - as Editor (MINOR PREMISE/WE’RE STILL TOGETHER/RON DELSNER PRESENTS)
PRODUCED BY:
Olivia Wingate, PGA/Wingate Media - It Started As A Joke, SXSW 2019, MARON (IFC) 4 seasons.
Miranda Kahn/MIRMADE - Lady Gaga “The Power of Kindness” (2021), Josh & Ben Safdie “Lost But Never Alone”, Say Hi After You Die (Sundance 2024)
Joy Jorgensen/Killjoy Films - Runner (TIFF 2022, dir. Marian Mathias), Homebody (Outfest 2021, dir. Joe Sackett)
Alex Bach/Irony Point - Scare Me (2020, dir Josh Ruben), En El Septimo Dia (indie spirit award winner)
Zachary Spicer/Pigasus Pictures - Ms. White Light (SXSW/Torino Winner), Runner (San Sebastian/Göteborg winner)