max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
A new independent film, which had scenes shot at locations in North Attleborough and Rehoboth, is based on the writer/director’s many years dealing with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS).
Sharisse Zaroonian said the impetus to write “Nothing Solid” came from having to keep her condition a secret for years. She said the symptoms have been present since was a child.
“I wasn’t thinking of doing it,” said Zarooninan, who was diagnosed with CVS while working on the script. “I wanted to remain hidden. I realized I had to —I kept getting questions.”
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome often starts in childhood and is marked by spells of vomiting several times an hour over a period of hours or days, according to information on the web site for the Mayo Clinic.
Zaroonian said this can happen for her on a weekly basis, and she can throw up “5 to 15 times in an hour.” It can be triggered by many things, she said, including motion sickness or even work. This has particularly impacted her jobs, some of which she had to leave, though others have been supportive.
“I wasn’t open as to what I was going through,” she added. “Some jobs could have been saved.”
In “Nothing Solid,” a 25-year-old woman named Satinik – who goes by Nikki and is played by Zaroonian – battles mysterious vomiting episodes linked to her anxiety, as she struggles with family tension, independence and adulting, and must decide whether to face her demons or remain stuck in a cycle of distress.
Filming began last February and is expected to wrap in June. Following this, the movie will be screened in select theaters and be uploaded to streaming and video on demand services and potentially submitted to film festivals.
Zaroonian, 29, wrote the film from the perspective of her 25-year-old self. She added that Nikki’s culture plays a big role in the movie, and her condition forces her to move back home, a decision which causes more problems.
“She stresses out and she struggles,” she said. “She keeps going back to her family, which triggers her.”
Zaroonian said that Nikki never fully recovers, as CVS is a chronic condition, but she’s able to get better in other ways, healing her relationship with family and food.
“I didn’t want this to be neat and wrapped in a bow,” Zaroonian said.
In November, December and January, the crew show scenes at a home on Towne Street in North Attleborough, which Zaroonian said had been renovated for the movie. Other scenes were filmed in Rehoboth at the Five Bridge Inn.
In addition to “Nothing Solid,” Zaroonian is continuing to work on her ongoing series, “One Plus One is Two,” which tells the story of Marielle Morin, a Cambridge woman who grew up in the 1960s and whose undiagnosed learning disability impacts her life.
The pilot was shot in 2019 and since then, three more episodes have been filmed. Zaroonian said the series was supposed to be 10 episodes, but due to different reasons, it’s been cut in half.
“I honestly can’t wait to end that series,” she said with a laugh.
Talking with the cast of “Nothing Solid”
Logan Raposo plays Arsen, a narcissistic character whom the actor said suffers an inferiority complex, which leads to him taking out his frustrations on Nikki. They described the character as a “mental type” of bully who usespassive–aggressive techniques, and Raposo said they used their own experience being bullied to get into the role.
“I try to forgive the bullies,” Raposo said. “I work to think of why he (Arsen) does this.”
Julie DeStafano plays Tamar, Nikki’s best friend who helps her deal with her condition. DeStafano described Tamar as a sarcastic sort who uses humor to poke fun at serious situations. But at her core, she cares deeply about her friend and tries to be there for her.
“It’s her way of dealing with it,” she said of Tamar’s humor.
Russ Gannon took on the role of Nikki’s therapist, Dr. Miller, who challenges his patient on what she is doing to make her life better. Gannon said Nikki’s dealing with a lot of problems and tends to put equal weight on each one.
“I think that there’s a moment where Miller is fed up with her (Nikki’s) behavior,” said Gannon. “There’s only so far you can lead someone before you want to push someone. There’s a climax here where I was pretty stern with her. I think he’s able to help, even if only to give a safe space.”
Zaroonian said filming some scenes was difficult, as she felt she was pretty desensitized to the experiences of her past. One scene has her character sent to the emergency room.
“I was crying,” she said. “I thought I feel really bad for them (people with CVS). I was able to look at myself.”