Jersey Boy
directed by
Jaskaran Singh
Ontario
Spanning two decades, a young Sikh man struggles to find his place in post-9/11 America. As prejudice, family expectations, and buried trauma shape his journey, a return home forces him to confront his past, heal fractured relationships, and reclaim his identity on his own terms.
Programmer's Notes
In the aftermath of 9/11, a Sikh boy witnesses the horrific murder of a family member, forcing him to question where he belongs.
Jersey Boy follows Karandeep Singh as he wrestles with his South Asian and Sikh identity against the backdrop of rising racial hostility. Inspired by a real-life incident in which a Sikh man was murdered outside his gas station, Singh crafts a deeply personal story about the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a country that can be hostile to those perceived as "the other." Over three critical periods of his life, we follow Karandeep as he tries to reconcile with his identity, his family, and his country.
In Jersey Boy, Singh brings his own experience growing up Sikh in America, and this personal connection permeates every frame. It's a deeply specific story about being South Asian and Sikh, but in Singh's skillful hands, it becomes a film anyone can see themselves in.
Programer, Richard Pierre
Cast
Praneet Akilla, Sara Garcia, Grace Grewal, Rayaan Singh Sahni
About the Director
Jaskaran Singh is a Sikh-Canadian filmmaker who has written, directed, and produced multiple films exploring the space between identity and inclusion, while prominently featuring South Asian voices on screen.
Running Time
1:45:00
Language
English, Punjabi
Country
Canada
Producers
Jaskaran Singh, Pulkit Datta, Eman Pathan
Province
Ontario
