Daring Documentary

Nayla Punjabi (Class of 2022) didn’t plan on becoming a filmmaker, despite growing up surrounded by cameras and lights. But when she learned about the alarming reality of stunting in Indonesia, she sought out the perfect tools and platform to shine a much-needed spotlight on the issue while bridging the gap between urban and rural communities.

After receiving a grant from Swarthmore College and connecting with a local organization that focuses on combating stunting, Nayla set on combining her family’s filmmaking legacy and a new-found sense of purpose to make a difference. The result was an impactful documentary, titled Indonesia’s Silent Emergency: Stunting in Rural Populations.

Reflecting on the project’s beginnings, she shared, “Just over a year ago, I met Zack Peterson with the [non-profit organization] 1000 Days Fund; I was shocked and disheartened to learn that stunting, a health condition that affects one in every five Indonesian children, had escaped my awareness. I realized how privileged I am to have access to nutrition education and healthcare.

“Since then, it has been my goal to learn more about stunting and encourage those around me to do the same.”

Nayla immersed herself in understanding the challenges faced by Indonesia’s rural areas. Her journey took her to Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara, where she witnessed firsthand the hardships communities endured as they struggled to provide their children with sufficient nutrition. 

“It was an indescribable experience. The community health workers, midwives, village heads, and most importantly, mothers are doing everything they can to raise happy and healthy children. Unfortunately, they default to processed foods because of the cultural myths, poor hygiene practices, and lack of finances that have become part of the norm,” she says, adding that awareness about stunting and its effects was crucial to educating the people affected and helping them make more informed decisions.

“Having access to healthy food at home and doctors is a human right that is regarded as a luxury in these communities [...] I hope my documentary sheds light on stunting and makes it a part of the national conversation. Stunting may be most prevalent in rural Indonesian communities, but it affects the health, intelligence, and prosperity of our entire population. It is our collective responsibility to act.”

Despite her deep connection to the film industry, Nayla never imagined she would become a filmmaker herself. As she delved deeper into the alarming truths of stunting, however, it became clear to her that the visual medium would be the best, most effective way to bring light to this pressing issue.

“Growing up in a film family, I have always admired the power of film to entertain, educate, and inspire, but I was not sure if I had the creative or technical storytelling capabilities to create my own films,” she concedes. “My positionality as an Indonesian citizen, attending college abroad, and growing up around quality health care in Jakarta — this means I have access to networks that rural communities are not granted. 

“Thus, I decided that [...] producing a documentary to tackle stunting would help combat the issue by generating empathy and awareness. But never did I imagine falling in love with filmmaking throughout the process!”

Through her film, Nayla hopes to bridge the gap between urban and rural realities and to bring stunting to the forefront of Indonesia’s health conversations. She credits JIS for laying the foundations for the skills and resourcefulness she would need in her mission. From participating in IASAS Art & Film and taking on Class Council leadership positions to staying resilient and rallying support for service learning projects, “JIS supported me in ways I would never have imagined.”

“The desire and ability to produce this film are grounded in my JIS values and extracurriculars. JIS also taught me people skills, giving me the ability to mobilize my surroundings to spur change. Without JIS's values, skillset, and personality-building, I don’t think this [documentary] would have been possible.”

She encourages current JIS students and other fresh graduates to find what they are genuinely passionate about and let these interests carry them forward; to apply themselves by developing a support system and then working hard. 

“These experiences are what you will remember and treasure the most.”

Watch Nayla's documentary: Indonesia’s Silent Emergency: Stunting in Rural Populations.