People Aren’t Stupid

People Aren’t Stupid is a deeply personal exploration of my mental state—born from exhaustion, not just from life’s hardships, but from the relentless resilience I’m expected to maintain. I know I’m not alone in this feeling. Too often, people like me are treated as if we are the problem, rather than the social circumstances we’re forced to navigate.

The film is shot in the style of a vlog to capture my most raw, unapologetic self. My monologue wasn’t scripted or rehearsed—it was spoken in the moment, a stream-of-consciousness reflection that became a form of therapy. Like many others, I can’t afford professional help, and despite multiple visits to the GP, I haven’t received the support I need. This film became my outlet.

As a Queer person, I have been made to feel silenced—forced to carry the weight of other people’s harmful actions while being unable to speak out. The circumstances that led me here are ones I cannot openly discuss, but they are rooted in discrimination, injustice, and the consequences of challenging them. That’s why I chose to leave parts of this film open for interpretation—because it’s not just about the specifics of my experience, but about the emotions behind it.

I want my audience to feel, not just observe. Too often, we see, read, and hear about hardship, but do we actually feel it? Or have we, as a society, become numb? By stepping into my emotional reality, I hope viewers will connect with something deeper—something beyond words.

The title, People Aren’t Stupid, is a message meant for one person in particular—someone who once said these words to me. They lied to protect their public image, and though I cannot speak openly about it for fear of retaliation, I hope they see this and recognise that I am speaking to them.