UNMENTIONABLES: CONFESSIONS FROM A BRA BOUTIQUE
(In development)
This quirky one-hour documentary will capture a number of intermingling women’s stories through the narrative device of a bustling bra boutique.
Story Consultant: Christina Willings
Made possible with support from: Canada Council for the Arts
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YOUNG MASTERS (Documentary, HD/SD, 43 mins., 2010)
YOUNG MASTERS follows the intense journey of three Canadian skill champions who, with Olympic-sized passion, train and compete for the gold medal at the 40th WorldSkills Competition.
Although destined for the podium as masters in their respective trades of autobody repair, painting, and IT, these young people reveal how they are often treated like second-class citizens because of their vocation. In a society that values the head over the hands, university over college, and white collar over blue, can these young people also prove to be masters of their own futures?
Cast: Devon DeBoer, Matt Chadder, Tiffany Vandermey
Camera: Brian Batisa, Noel Begin, Lisa Fryklund, Roger Vernon, Craig Wrobleski
Editor: Brian Batista, Punam Kumar Gill
SAIT Film & Video student-interns: Clayton Budd, Karen Brothers, Krista Powell, Jaime Wensley
Music: Mike Shields
Writer, Producer, Director: Punam Kumar Gill
Made possible with support from: EMMEDIA Open Access Scholarship, Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Young Masters Trailer from PunamArts on Vimeo.
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LETTERBOX (Super8, 5mins., 2008)
"A folksy, kodchrome inspired Super8 portrait of a family ritual..." -Solomon Nagler
- WINNER, Audience Favorite Award, $100 Film Festival
- Finalist, MING Short Film Festival
SYNOPSIS:
LETTERBOX is a story about a local Calgary family who invents an annual tradition to make Diwali meaningful to their Canadian-born daughters. LETTERBOX was made on real celluloid, Super8 format, cut and spliced by the filmmaker's own hands.
Cast: Alex, Servejit, Sasha, Sajana, and Amita Massey
Music: Kiran Ahluwalia
Writer, Producer, Director, Editor: Punam Kumar Gill
Made possible with support from: Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers
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THE LESSON (Docu-Drama, SD Video, 12 mins., Punjabi with English subtitles, 2007)
"A short film with a big heart..." -Michel Coloumbe, Radio Canada International
- Winner, MING Short Film Festival
- Finalist, "Best Short Film", Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association
- Finalist, Radio-Canada International Migrations Competition
(watch RCI Competition version of THE LESSON online)
SYNOPSIS:
Punam Kumar Gill's debut film, THE LESSON is a very personal one. It is of her father, Ramesh Kumar (1944-2009).
THE LESSON is portraiture of a simple man and his monk-like lifestyle. The film also reveals how Ramesh started a driving school in Mill Woods, a South Asian neighborhood in Edmonton, and helped build his community by teaching new immigrants how to drive. Over the 25 years that he owned the driving school, he taught over 5000 students.
Throughout 2007 and 2008, THE LESSON received many recognitions and festival invitations. Ramesh Kumar passed away one year later.
Cast: Ramesh Kumar, Kulmeet Sangha, Geeta Tandon
Music: Dr. Harjot Singh Gill, Mike Shields
Writer, Producer, Director: Punam Kumar Gill
Made possible with support from: Alberta Foundation for the Arts, EMMEDIA First-time filmmakers Program, and private funder, Mr. Joga Punian
Official Selection: Filmi South Asian Film Festival (Toronto), Montreal World Film Festival, Edmonton International Film Festival, Calgary International Film Festival, inaugural International Video Festival of Kerala, India.
Special Event Screenings: Harbourfront Festival (Canada Day) in Toronto, the Independent Media Arts Alliance General Meeting, Asian Heritage Month, Glenbow Museum Asian Artist Showcase, Alberta Foundation for the Arts ARTS DAY, School Tour throughout Calgary.