TASK004: Screenplay for film/series

JOURNEY:

Writing Sugar was an emotional and introspective journey, deeply rooted in how grief manifests daily. I wanted to tell an intimate yet universal story, exploring how people struggle to move on from loss while holding onto memories of those they have lost. The inspiration for the time loop came from the way nostalgia works in real life—how certain sounds, smells, or small routines can transport us back to moments that no longer exist. I was influenced by films like The Father, where time distortion reflects a character's psychological state, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which shows how memories shape us. However, I wanted to take a more grounded approach, making the time loop feel like a natural, almost imperceptible part of Asiya's grief rather than an overt sci-fi element.

One of the most significant creative decisions I made was keeping Sugar rooted in the everyday life of a lower-middle-class Pakistani household. I wanted Asiya's struggle to feel authentic, so I placed her in a modest setting with simple but powerful symbols—like chai, a recurring motif in the film, representing warmth, routine, and the lingering presence of her late husband, Faheem. The title Sugar came from the idea that even the most minor, ordinary actions—like adding Sugar to tea—can hold deep emotional weight. In Asiya's case, it becomes a reminder of Faheem, a habit that keeps him alive in her mind even after he has gone.

Another key decision was in how Asiya's grief is represented visually. Instead of dramatic flashbacks or expository dialogues, I chose subtle time loops, minor inconsistencies that only she notices—like hearing Faheem's voice, a chair creaking, or chai spilling in the same way twice. These were designed to make the audience experience her confusion and longing alongside her. Bashir, the shopkeeper, plays an important role as a figure of change, gently challenging Asiya's isolation without forcing her to move on before she is ready. His persistent kindness symbolizes the world waiting for her, nudging her forward while respecting her grief.

Throughout the writing process, I kept asking myself: How do we move on without letting go? I did not want Sugar to be about "getting over" grief but rather about learning to live with it in a way that allows for hope. The final scene, where Asiya walks home with her children, lighter in spirit but still carrying the past, encapsulates that message. Writing this script taught me that healing is not about forgetting but about making space for both memory and possibility.

SCREENPLAY: