SAFF 2023 :: Saturday Matinee :: Late Afternoon Session 2 :: Some Mature Content

Bollywood Goes Hollywood 

Veer only contacts his mother when he needs money, until a visit home puts him in a predicament. After a flirtatious encounter with Rupi in the elevator, Veer faces an ultimatum from his doting mother Shirina – she’ll only pay his bills if he agrees to an arranged marriage. When Veer realizes Rupi is now putting on a traditional act to impress Shirina, he aims to expose Rupi’s secret identity to his mother. 

Noor Zora

Noor Zora is an arts group comprised of men who perform the traditional Punjabi folk dance Giddha while dressed as women at weddings and functions. Through intimate interviews, the film explores the motivations and experiences of these performers who challenge gender norms by embracing this cultural artform. Noor Zora provides a window into the world of gender-bending dance in Punjab, revealing how these performers navigate family expectations, public perceptions, and their own identities.

Truckstop

The short narrative Truckstop shines a light on the experiences of Punjabi women immigrants working in truck stops across the California desert. It captures the stark realities and daily struggles of the Punjabi immigrant experience in this unique setting. The story follows Jasleen, who yearns to break free from the confines of the truck stop world. When an opportunity to leave finally arises, she makes a surprising choice that reveals the complexities of starting over in a new country. Through Jasleen’s story, Truckstop provides an intimate and empathetic lens into the lives of Punjabi women pursuing hopes of a better future, while confronting the harsh truths that emerge along the way.

Zindagi Dobara

Zindagi Dobara is a short narrative centering on a young South Asian teen whose life is upended when her parents are killed in a car accident. She is suddenly forced to live with a distant aunt she has never met or heard of before. Two strangers united by tragedy, they reluctantly embark on an emotional journey to coexist and perhaps one day find a new meaning of family. Zindagi Dobara explores the complex ties that bind us even in life’s most difficult moments.

Hidden Histories-The Sikh Migration Path to Canada

Hidden Histories: The Sikh Migration Path to Canada brings Karen Dosanjh’s book “Untold Stories: The South Asian Pioneer Experience in BC” to the screen. The documentary chronicles the arduous journey of the first Sikh migrants from India who arrived in Canada in the early 1900s seeking opportunity. It illuminates the discrimination and rampant anti-Asian sentiments these pioneer settlers faced in their adopted homeland. Viewers learn about key events in B.C.’s racial history including immigration bans and laws that stripped early South Asian communities of basic rights. Hidden Histories resuscitates forgotten stories of struggle, resistance, and resilience.

Maa

Maa tells the story of Dilreet and Kirat, two siblings who return to their ancestral village in Punjab to confront their estranged uncle about their mother’s tragic suicide. Still processing her childhood trauma, passionate Dilreet spearheads the confrontation, lashing out against their uncle for failing to protect her mother from abuse. Her fury ignites when the village women decline to join her petition against domestic violence, wary of rocking the boat.

Though disheartened, Dilreet finds hope when her recalcitrant uncle himself becomes the first to sign. The bittersweet ending suggests glimmers of progress amidst entrenched social norms. But Dilreet ultimately accepts the need for incremental change, letting go of her anger to pursue justice through education. 

The Invite

As his wedding day approaches, an Indian American man realizes his turban must be tied for his wedding and has to decide whether to invite his father to be a part of the biggest day of his life.