Synopsis
Desires of the Heart is the story of Dr. Kris Sharma (Val Lauren, The Last Knights, Interior. Leather Bar., Sal), a psychiatrist from India practicing in Savannah, Georgia when he meets Madeline (Alicia Minshew, “All My Children”), a local artist with a mysterious past. While their relationship begins to blossom in America, Kris is summoned home by his brother (Gulshan Grover, Hera Pheri) to marry the woman (Priya Ahuja, “Kumkum”) chosen by his parents. But as he begins to make decisions about his future, he discovers centuries old secrets that may seal the fate of his destiny.
After an international film festival run, including the Cannes Marche du Film, Desires of the Heart was released in theaters across India by Luminosity Pictures on November 6th, 2015.
- Director, Writer
- James Kicklighter
- Writers
- Solila Parida, John Howbrook, Mark Ezra Stokes, James Kicklighter, Val Lauren
- Producers
- Solila Parida, Juan Manotas, Jitendra Mishra, Terry Chase Chenowith
- Cinematographer
- Tim Gill
- Production Designer
- Bobbie Harley
- Costume Designer
- Gwen Taylor
- Editors
- Anthony Guerrero, James Kicklighter
- Composer
- Nicolas Repetto
Videos
Press
“Desires of the Heart begins, in many ways, like your typically idealistic romance movie, and it's easy to write it off as such. But you'd be a fool to do so. This faux saccharine surface belies a superbly written and wonderfully understated and evocative piece of filmmaking with a great cast of talented actors and visuals so beautiful—they belong in a gallery. ★★★★★”
“When I made my first feature, Desires of the Heart, in Rajasthan, India and Savannah, Georgia, I had always thought that making your first full length film would be the key to your entire career. But once you climb the first, highest mountain, you discover that there’s an entire mountain chain that follows. It’s ascending the summit and moving forward.”
“The film is achingly beautiful and captured with awe-inspiring imagery. The performances from the actors, especially the aforementioned Val Lauren and Alicia Minshew, are all spot-on and enthralling. ”
“The film has been released in major cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Jaipur and Bhubaneswar.”
“Desires of the Heart is a beautiful and involving film featuring two fine performances by its leads who are tasked with bringing to life a film that is both intelligent and fantastic, no small task. Desires of the Heart challenges both heart and mind with a story that is culturally grounded, somewhat mystical in nature, and yet psychologically insightful. ”
“Mishra was at the festival last year for producer Solila Parida’s award winning Hollywood film “Desires of the Heart”, which was premiered at the film market of the Cannes gala, and was well received by the audience.”
“Jitendra Mishra, World Sales & Distribution consultant for both Kajarya and Goatspeak has earlier been known to promote meaningful cinema like I AM KALAM, DESIRES OF THE HEART & CHAUSAR.”
“The film matches its narrative’s expansive ambitions with gorgeous visions that turn both Georgia and India into almost permanent states of postcard-friendly imagery. The quality scenery is matched by the attractiveness of the leads, Val Lauren and Alicia Minshew, who offer up another element to enjoy…they succeed in their performances, keeping a tale that can be somewhat fantastical grounded in a sense of reality. Mastery to be found throughout; a strong film.”
“Kicklighter notes that as Hollywood explores partnerships with financing and distribution deals, ‘it is clear that the market is important to Hollywood.’ Kicklighter sees the main barrier to Bollywood’s power is not film output, but the accessibility to Western markets.”
“The age-old ‘Sati’ belief that if a woman dies in the funeral pyre of her husband, she gets him back in the next birth.”
“Alicia [Minshew] has played the role of an artist who lives in Georgia and catches the eye of a psychiatrist (Val Lauren) visiting from India. However, as the duo begin to develop a relationship, the psychiatrist is sent home to India to marry a woman chosen for him by his parents, detailed Parida.”
“The whole shooting schedule spanning over five weeks, production of the movie is completed recently. The first part of the movie is shot in Savannah, Georgia (USA) while the second part is shot in Bikaner, Rajasthan (India).”
“American actor Val Lauren, who played yesteryears’ Hollywood actor Sal Mineo in the 2011 film Sal directed by Hollywood actor James Franco, is coming to India with co-star Alicia Minshew for their movie Desires Of The Heart. The film, being directed by James Kicklighter, is scheduled to be shot in India next month. ”
“Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall Hart Slater, "All My Children") is currently off filming her new movie, "Desires of the Heart" in Savannah, GA and now Soap Opera Network is happy to report the film has unveiled its Facebook page for fans to take a look at the journey to making the film.”
“Cameras so far have rolled at historic district locations including the south end of Lafayette Square and the basement tavern of The Olde Pink House.”
“Former "All My Children" starlet Alicia Minshew (ex-Kendall Hart) has landed a major role in the new film "Desires of the Heart," which began production in Savannah, GA on Monday, August 13.”
“Production will eventually move to India, where Kicklighter's co-director Rathi will help with cultural differences, similar to Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan's efforts on Slumdog Millionaire.”
“The film will begin production in Savannah, Georgia, on Monday before moving to India.”
Gallery
Director's Notes
I was 24 when I started directing Desires of the Heart, and 25 when it premiered. Looking back, I’m not sure I understood what I was signing up for. What I knew was that I’d grown up in a Georgia town of 123 people, gone to colleges school in Statesboro, and somehow gotten obsessed with the idea that two cultures separated by ten thousand miles might be more alike than either of them knew. The film is the long answer to that obsession.
The story follows Dr. Kris Sharma, an Indian psychiatrist living in Savannah, who falls for a local artist named Madeline. When his brother summons him home to Rajasthan to marry the woman his parents have chosen, he has to decide between the romance he’s building in America and the family destiny waiting for him in India. Underneath that surface is a quieter argument about karma, memory, and what we owe the people who came before us. We shot in both countries, with an international cast and crew, and let the two worlds cross-pollinate the way the story did.
What I took away from the experience, and what I’ve said in interviews many times since, is that as the world keeps shrinking, the homogenization of culture is the most quietly destructive part of globalization. I remember standing in a market in Bikaner and seeing a giant poster for Looper outside the local cinema. That image stayed with me. I wanted Desires of the Heart to be the opposite gesture, a film where two specific places, Savannah and Rajasthan, get to remain themselves on screen, and where the love story works precisely because the characters refuse to flatten each other into a shared idea of “global.”
I also took away a piece of advice I’ve repeated to every younger filmmaker I’ve taught since. I thought making your first feature would be the key to your entire career. It wasn’t. What I learned instead was that climbing the first mountain just shows you the entire mountain chain that follows. Desires of the Heart was my first summit, and everything I’ve made since, The Sound of Identity, The American Question, the work still ahead, has been shaped by what I learned on those slopes between Savannah and Rajasthan.
— James Kicklighter
Process
- Director’s Notes Color Notes Post Production 2013
This is the color grading notes document I delivered to the colorist on Desires of the Heart. Three pages of timecoded corrections covering sky, skin, highlights, shadows, contrast,…
- Director’s Notes Final Sound Design Notes Post Production 2013
This is the full audio editing notes document for Desires of the Heart, twelve pages walking the sound team through every scene with specific cues, fades, ADR candidates,…
- Director’s Notes Second Pass Notes Post Production 2013
This is the second-pass editing notes document for Desires of the Heart, delivered after the team addressed Pass One. Seven pages of timecoded corrections covering audio fixes, subtitle…
- Director’s Notes First Sound Design Notes Post Production 2013
This is the first pass of post-production notes I delivered to the team after our initial picture lock on Desires of the Heart. Five reels, organized by timecode,…
- Locations Savannah Location Scout Pre Production 2012
This is the locations scouting document from the Savannah portion of the Desires of the Heart shoot. Photographs of every site we considered and ultimately chose for the…
Similar Work
If you liked this, watch
In conversation with
FAQ
Common questions about this project — production approach, themes, where to watch, and creative decisions.
What is Desires of the Heart about?
Desires of the Heart follows Dr. Kris Sharma, an Indian psychiatrist practicing in Savannah, Georgia, who falls for a local artist named Madeline. When his brother summons him home to Rajasthan to marry the woman his parents have chosen, he uncovers centuries-old secrets that may decide the course of his destiny. The film is a cross-cultural romance about love, family duty, and the weight of inherited karma.
Who directed Desires of the Heart?
James Kicklighter directed the film, with Rajesh Rathi serving as co-director for the India portion of the shoot. Desires of the Heart was Kicklighter's first feature film.
Where was the film shot?
In Savannah, Georgia and Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Production began in Savannah in 2012, with the Indian portion of the shoot following on location in Rajasthan. The film was made with an international cast and crew working across both countries.
Who stars in Desires of the Heart?
The film stars Val Lauren (Sal, Medal of Honor) as Dr. Kris Sharma, Alicia Minshew (All My Children) as Madeline, and Bollywood actors Gulshan Grover (I Am Kalam), Harsh Mayar, Ankit Bhardwaj, and Priya Ahuja.
When was the film released?
Desires of the Heart premiered on the festival circuit in 2013 and 2014, including a screening at the Cannes Marché du Film. The film was released theatrically across India by Luminosity Pictures in November 2015.
Where can I watch Desires of the Heart?
The film is currently available to stream on Vimeo.
What awards has the film won?
Desires of the Heart won Best Foreign Film at the 2013 Los Angeles Femme Film Festival and was an Official Selection of the 2014 Cannes Marché du Film, along with numerous other festivals across the United States, India, and around the world.
Is the film in English or Hindi?
Desires of the Heart is an English-language film with selected dialogue in Hindi, reflecting the bilingual reality of its bicultural cast and story.
What is the supernatural element in the film?
The film draws on Hindu concepts of karma, reincarnation, and centuries-old historical memory, including imagery connected to the Rajasthani sati tradition. These elements are woven into the narrative rather than treated as horror or fantasy. They function as the spiritual architecture beneath the love story.
Who produced Desires of the Heart?
The film was produced by Indian producer Solila Parida and Jitendra Mishra, with James Kicklighter directing and co-writing.