In the first scene of the short film "And I Died Sharing," a frustrated man sticks a gun barrel in his mouth.

Instead of pulling the trigger, he calls someone, abruptly leaves his apartment and speeds away in his car.

It's a graphic beginning for a movie, but the central theme itself is raw and emotional -- how one individual deals with finding out that he is HIV positive.

Producer and director Manu Warrier, a University of Findlay graduate who has plans to enroll in film school, wanted his first movie to go beyond the realm of entertainment. His ultimate goal instead is to incite discussion about HIV and AIDS, drug use, relationships and suicide.

The film was entirely shot in Findlay.

A free preview screening for the UF community and the public will be held from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday in the Alumni Memorial Union's multipurpose room. There, guests will be able to view the movie and talk to Warrier himself.

Viewers will undoubtedly have plenty of questions for the aspiring filmmaker. Not only does the movie include plenty of symbolism with visual effects and color, but it's also completely dialogue-free.

Warrier, who is from Mumbai, India, said he created "And I Died Sharing" as a portfolio project to apply to American film schools. He'll also be trying to screen it in some film festivals, and will allow teachers to use it for free as an educational tool for any type of class.

Although AIDS has not touched Warrier or anyone he knows personally, it is a subject that he feels strongly about.

It was important to him to connect "with the viewers with conviction while doing the film," he explained.

The Chicago resident received a master of business administration degree from UF in May 2003, and his bachelor's degree in political science from Bombay University.

"I do not have any background in filmmaking, but watching movies as a hobby helped me," the 25-year-old said. "My upbringing has been on a staple diet of Hindi movies. This liking for movies (along with a routine and mundane business career) made me decide that I had to make a film someday."

That time came in November when he asked friend and UF Student Activities Director Sharinda Welton for help getting started. His project quickly progressed with the help of Doug Switzer's editing skills from his work at UF's television station; two UF international students who served as actors, including Amith Shetty and Swapna Dutt, who played the character's girlfriend; and Meghna Annam as assistant producer.

Much of the movie was shot at the Findlay reservoir. "The reservoir has been one of my favorite places, right from the time I arrived to Findlay," Warrier said. "The place is beautiful and it has a lot of potential as an outdoor location to make a film.

"We did have a lot of fun while shooting it. It was really cold and shooting was really getting difficult toward the end...but I am happy the way it has turned out," he said.

If his film career takes off, Warrier maintained he would still focus on directing dramatic films, "since emotion in drama is more challenging, and getting the actors to perform the right way is very challenging." But he is also interested in making comedic films, suspense thrillers and "a little bit of horror."

Warrier's ultimate goal would be to work in India. "I believe in taking the best from both countries and fusing them together to make a good film," he maintained.

For more information about the film, or for those interested in using it for educational and discussion purposes, call UF's Student Activities Office at 419-434-4606, or e-mail the department at studentactivities@findlay.edu.

Contact staff writer Joy Brown at:

(419) 427-8496

Link to FYI (campus magazine -University Of Findlay)

http://www.findlay.edu/events/fyi/pdf/FYI%201-18.pdf

Manu Warrier created an eight minute short film covering several modern day societal issues.
The film, “And I Died Sharing,”was previewed at UF on Jan. 20 in the Alumni Memorial Union. There were
approximately 30 attendees including students, staff, faculty and people from
the community.
In the film, the main character contemplates suicide because he is infected with the HIV/AIDS virus
from sharing needles. The film uses symbolism various times to enforce the views that are trying to be portrayed. Warrier noted that he used symbolism
because, “a message is expressed in a different form rather than using dialogue.”Warrier also carefully chose the music he used in order to set a mood
and match the emotions that were being felt.
The film reviews many issues that are important in today’s society. It deals mostly with AIDS, relationships and suicide. Warrier said he does not
know anyone who has suffered or is suffering from AIDS, but it is an issue he feels strongly about.
He noted, “The basic idea was that I wanted to choose a current social issue to make my first film.”
Warrier said he created the film because he is “really passionate about filmmaking.” He grew up watching
Hindi films (films made in India). From that, he developed a love for movies and decided he wanted to start creating them. Warrier’s interest
in film began long before the making of this movie. With limited knowledge and resources, he was
not able to start pursuing his dream until now. He plans to use this film in his portfolio to assist in being
accepted to a film school. Warrier is from India and graduated from Bombay University with a bachelor’s degree in political science.He recently earned his M.B.A. from The University of Findlay. His current plans are to enroll in film school so he can be more
educated on film, which he has always been interested in. With one film done, Warrier hopes to
continue making movies. To start out, Warrier would like to write, produce and direct his own films, but his ultimate goal is to direct “and make as many movies as I can,” he said. Warrier also has dreams of working for Bollywood in India, because he
grew up watching those types of films. He said that he would like to use the knowledge he has of the Indian culture and the American culture and try “fusing them together to make a good
film,” he commented. Warrier noted that the project had its ups and downs. All of his knowledge
in filmmaking came from books. Applying the knowledge to a real life situation created some difficulties, but he is pleased with his film and said that it turned out as he had anticipated, for
the most part. He most enjoyed shooting and editing the film, although he said that editing was quite
challenging.Warrier noted that he never expected
there to be a screening at the University, but he is thankful for the opportunity. Warrier thought the film
was well received by the audience. He said, “I’m happy that a lot of people liked it. I was not sure about  what their response would be.”