Sweet Amerika
Sweet Amerika releasing on September 19, 2008, is written and directed by award winning Vancouver-based journalist R Paul Dhillon. Dhillon's debut feature stars Bollywood icon Gulshan Grover and Canadian Actors Remi Clair, David Stuart, Sian Sladen, Melanie Papalia, Kit Koon, Zain Meghji, Michael Hanus, Fareed Abdelhak, Travis Watters, James Wilson, Ian Rozylo, Jon Pine, Guy Christie and Matt Ward. The film, produced by well known Vancouver businessman and South Asian arts-impresario Bobby Nagra in association with MMM Film Finance International is written by Vancouver – Canadian writer/director R Paul Dhillon, an award winning Indo-Canadian journalist, and Jessi Thind, the author of Lions Of The Sea – which recount the tumultuous journey of the doomed Komagata-Maru passengers.
Set in New York City, Sweet Amerika is the moving story of Sikh shop owner Balbir “Bobby” Singh Gulshan Grover, an American citizen who is kidnapped and tortured by a hateful and misguided gang of men who seek reprisals following the [...] attacks of September 11, 2001 called 9/11. This film is a probing portrait of immigrant life in America that follows Bobby on his journey to find and preserve his piece of the American dream in a world where concepts like “freedom” and “democracy” seem to stand on shaky ground. Still mourning the loss of his wife and son, Bobby finds new hope in Mina (Sian Sladen), a young, vibrant Muslim woman. Although opposed by the Sikh community, Bobby’s love for Mina holds the key to reviving his broken spirit. Dara (played by Remi Clair) is a friend of Bobby who encourages him not to worry about the community and pursue him for his adventures with Mina. Mrs. Lim played by Kit Koon is a flower shop owner adjacent to Bobby's grocery store has love interests with Dara (Remi Kaler) where as Dara hates her. As Bobby is held captive, the days leading up to his abduction flash before us in a richly woven narrative, full of the joys and sorrows of life in America. Will Mrs. Lim finally gets succeeded in winning Dara's love? Will Bobby survive the night and escape the “terrorists” that now threaten his existence? A thoughtful, provocative story filled with memorable characters, SweetAmerika is ultimately an uplifting story that asks us to experience the colorful, and sometimes troubled, fabric of America with open minds and hearts.