Adam J. Graves, a philosophy professor turned filmmaker, never could have imagined that his feature directorial debut, Anuja, would end up on Netflix and earn an Oscar nomination. Yet, life has a way of surprising us, and for Graves, it all began with a Dairy Queen run during the pandemic. One evening, as he and his wife were driving home from the only place open, Graves turned to his wife and declared, “I’m going to make a movie.” To his surprise, instead of dismissing the idea as a crazy, impractical dream, his wife responded with unwavering support: “Let’s do it.” And with that, a journey began—one that would take Graves from the classroom to the red carpet, and his film to the global stage.
The result of that spontaneous decision was Anuja, a powerful 22-minute short film that tells the story of two sisters working in a back-alley garment factory. The film follows the young protagonist as she faces a pivotal decision that will shape her future and the fate of her family. What makes Anuja so compelling is its raw authenticity and its ability to shed light on a often-overlooked reality: the lives of those who toil behind the scenes in the global supply chain. Graves’ inspiration for the film grew out of his academic background—he had taught film in his philosophy courses—and his wife’s family history, which included stories of indentured labor. These themes of labor and exploitation took on a new urgency during the pandemic, as the world grappled with supply chain disruptions. Graves and his wife began to wonder: What about the people on the production side, the ones whose labor makes it all possible? The answer, they realized, was simple yet profound: their stories deserve to be told.
Making Anuja was no easy feat; Graves and his wife had to self-fund the project, relying on family loans and credit cards to bring their vision to life. Graves would later admit that the process was a far cry from the polished, high-budget productions that often dominate the industry. “As soon as Netflix puts its stamp on your film, people assume it’s this professional, big-budget thing,” he said. “But the truth is, this is just a really scrappy project that my wife and I took on ourselves, not really knowing what we were doing.” Despite the lack of resources, the couple’s passion and commitment to authenticity paid off in ways they could never have anticipated.
One of the earliest supporters of Anuja was Guneet Monga Kapoor, an Oscar-winning producer known for her work on The Elephant Whisperers. For Kapoor, the film’s raw, unfiltered storytelling was nothing short of magnetic. “It was love at first sight,” she said. “This film spoke to me on a deep level because it’s about intelligent, resilient protagonists who take control of their own destinies.” The film’s lead actress, Sajda Pathan, discovered through Mira Nair’s Salaam Baalak Trust, which rehabilitates street children through drama, was a key part of what made Anuja so impactful. As Kapoor noted, Sajda’s performance was a testament to the power of the trust’s work. “The Salaam Baalak Trust has had a huge impact on her life, and I hope more people can learn about it and support it.”
Graves’ approach to filmmaking was deeply collaborative and rooted in a commitment to authenticity. Despite the challenges of shooting the film in just five days while simultaneously teaching philosophy classes remotely from India, Graves made it a priority to create an open, welcoming environment on set. He encouraged the actresses to improvise and bring their own unique perspectives to the story. This approach not only enrichened the film but also allowed the cast to feel a sense of ownership over their roles. Graves’ philosophy background, which emphasized the importance of collaboration and dialogue, clearly influenced his filmmaking style. “My goal was to welcome as much collaboration as possible on set,” he said. “To create a space where the actresses could play and bring their true selves to the story.”
As Oscar voting began, Kapoor brought her expertise to the campaign for Anuja, drawing on her experience from previous Academy Award wins. For her, the film represented everything she believed in: the power of independent storytelling. “Independent filmmakers,” she said, “have a way of breaking through the noise because their work is rooted in honesty and passion. Anuja is a reminder that even in a world dominated by big budgets and Familiar names, there’s still room for stories that are raw, authentic, and deeply human.”
Graves, who is currently developing two feature films—one an international humanist thriller and the other a father-daughter story set in Paris—remains humbled by his sudden success. “I’m so new to this industry,” he said, “that I’m now just hoping that the friends I’m making along the way will guide me.” And yet, for all the uncertainty, Graves knows that he’s exactly where he is meant to be. After all, it was that spontaneous Dairy Queen run during the pandemic that led him here. Sometimes, the best stories are the ones we don’t see coming—and that’s exactly what makes them worth telling.
