The dreary weather mirrored my gloomy mood perfectly. It was as if the cloudy evening sky had been computer-generated to highlight how miserable I was. Envisaging myself as the star of a nonexistent movie might've seemed egomaniacal... But the thought wasn't rooted in narcissism. For as long as I could remember, I'd just been obsessed with movies. A lifelong personal interest of mine that not only engulfed my whole childhood but also steered my entire academic life, leading me to the career path I was now traversing.

Fueled by a deathless desire to write and direct my own films someday, I'd taken innumerable steps in the hopes that they'd bring...