Lauren Melinda’s deeply personal short film, BEFORE YOU, is a powerful and timely meditation on resilience in the face of impossible choices. Inspired by true events, the film delicately navigates the emotional terrain of a woman reflecting on her first pregnancy and the life-changing decision to undergo an abortion when the pregnancy was deemed non-viable.
The film’s narrative is more than just an individual’s experience; it serves as a searing commentary on reproductive rights in America, where access to such healthcare procedures is increasingly restricted or outright banned in many states. Through the lens of BEFORE YOU, Melinda underscores the human impact of these limitations, bringing a deeply personal and urgent issue to the forefront.
Tala Ashe (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) delivers a moving performance as the protagonist, embodying the raw vulnerability and quiet strength of a woman forced to navigate profound loss. Adam Rodriguez (Criminal Minds) complements Ashe’s performance, adding depth and emotional complexity to the story. Their on-screen chemistry makes the narrative even more compelling, ensuring the audience remains fully invested in their journey.
As a writer, director, and producer, Melinda’s dedication to fostering conversations around bodily autonomy shines through. An award-winning Persian American filmmaker and the founder of SIMBELLE PRODUCTIONS—a nonprofit focused on empowering women through film—Melinda crafts BEFORE YOU with an authenticity and urgency that makes it impossible to ignore. Her ability to merge personal storytelling with socio-political commentary cements her as an essential voice in contemporary cinema.
Her ability to merge personal storytelling with socio-political commentary cements her as an essential voice in contemporary cinema.
The production team behind BEFORE YOU further elevates the film’s impact. Producers Helena Sardinha and Rafael Thomaseto—whose previous project, The Ballad of Tita and the Machines, was praised by the LA Times and Forbes—bring their expertise and passion to this project. With the backing of the Sundance Institute for their feature-length adaptation of The Ballad of Tita and the Machines, Sardinha and Thomaseto continue to push boundaries in independent filmmaking.
Already making waves on the festival circuit, BEFORE YOU has been officially selected for the St. Louis International Film Festival and the Cordillera International Film Festival. Upcoming screenings include the Santa Fe Film Festival, NFMLA, Filmfort, Cascadia International Women’s Festival, and the Cleveland International Film Festival on March 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM.
Shot with a poignant visual aesthetic and supported by a hauntingly beautiful score, BEFORE YOU lingers in the mind long after the credits roll. Its message is clear: stories like these matter, and now more than ever, they need to be told.
A film made in solidarity with Planned Parenthood Federation of America, BEFORE YOU is not just a cinematic achievement—it is an urgent call to empathy, understanding, and action. Melinda has crafted an unforgettable work that speaks to the resilience of women and the necessity of reproductive rights.
Theo Ashford
Rating: 5/5
