Student Thesis Film - Pimenta

Hi! Our names are Naja Pereira and Natasha Krauss. We are a female writer/director and producer team working to bring you the short film, Pimenta.

In early 2021, writer/director Naja Pereira's Vavo (grandmother) tested positive for COVID-19. Worried about her grandmother's ability to survive the virus, Naja began thinking about their relationship, connection, love, and how it is anchored by food. Pimenta is a love letter to Vavos everywhere and the people who feed and nourish us with love.

The story of Pimenta is about an Afro-Portuguese woman named, Taraji, grieving and self-isolated, who attempts to recreate her deceased mother’s famous octopus stew. There’s just one problem. The “recipe” left to her is practically non-existent. With a little encouragement from her local grocer João, she inches closer to perfection (and healing) with time. Recalling the fond memories of her mother at the stove, Taraji leans into the joy of cooking, continuing a legacy of love, food, and culture.

Everyone has a family. Biological, chosen, or a hybrid of the two. We all have people in our lives who love us unconditionally. One universal way in which we show this love is through food. Our hope is that this film reminds audiences of the beauty we chose to share with one another, even if it's bittersweet at times.

Please, join us in helping us make this story come to life. Every dollar that is donated will go to the production of this film and making it come to life. Naja and Natasha have spent the last four years collaborating on other films and projects together and are so excited to graduate together having made this very personal story come to life before our time at University comes to an end.