WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
To possess faith is to gain that which guides us each and every day, a driving force to hold fast to in order that we might feel closer to God and waylay the inward and outward chaos we potentially face. When we attain such deep belief, one would like to think it would become unshakable, unwavering, unscathed. However, there is the reality that while we know nothing’s perfect, hate can always manage to find its way into our being, causing strife and unease. It is the Fourth of July, and for Sikh-American Mandeep (Nardeep Khurmi), it’s a day to celebrate the country he loves along with his treasured family, wife Rachel (Nicole Pacent) and son Sunny (Ryder Khatiwala).
Yet, while watching the morning news, the annoucement of a fatal hate crime aimed towards another of his faith and ethnicity births a discontent and simmering ire within Mandeep, unsettling the joy of the day he is striving to have. Thanks to Rachel’s calming manner, they move on with their plans to get out and enjoy the holiday. Soon, however, it seems like everywhere they go, Mandeep is reminded about the incident, now also feeling as if under intense scrutiny himself in the eyes of everyone they come across, driven deeper when some closest to him begin to pull away, even if involuntarily. Almost to wits end, it only takes another harsh, direct instance that drives Mandeep to make a tragic decision that will forever impact and haunt him.
Next, my Mind:
Part of the greater short film programming at the 2019 Dallas Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival sponsored by Toyota USA, this 17-minute drama from writer/director/producer/editor/actor Nardeep Khurmi offers another narrative highlighting the thematic elements of total disillusionment with one’s country and faith, while also addressing the full weight of prejudice as it relates to the way so many choose to misjudge and misrepresent the Sikh religion and its followers, ignorantly placing them in a generic pool with Muslims and, really, anyone of the Middle Eastern ethnicity in order to use it as an utterly misguided excuse to exercise their hate and violence against what they feel is automatically associated with terrorism and/or extremism. What propels this particular viewpoint home with solid emphasis on the nature of blind hate here is the intentionally slow burn set-up that the story utilizes to then bring everything to a head. One man’s perfectly normal day, one to have fun, enjoy freedom, express his faith, and cherish his family, all while appreciating the nation in which he currently resides, gets systematically torn down as each bit of news he hears about the hate crime perpetrated against someone of similar convictions and culture keeps gnawing away at his soul, despite the efforts of his wife to keep him focused on the July 4th holiday and the family plans to observe it together.
But, when the atmosphere of fears and tensions begin to manifest everywhere Mandeep seems to appear, leading up to what almost amounts to a physical altercation, the pressure of it bursts within and sends him over the edge in a personal tailspin of anger and frustration. It all really paints a very unfortunate portrait of what’s happening in this country more and more, frankly ever since 9/11 (well, and the most recent presidential election!) where it appears the only answer to something not approved of is to lash out at it with hostility and rage instead of perhaps showing restraint and mutual respect as people and disagreeing without hate. It sounds almost cliché to say it like that, but it IS true and it IS possible if more of us would be willing to actually put it into practice. Several films at this year’s DFW SAFF chose to explore the overall concepts of intolerance and malice towards specific communities of people, and this critic is actually very glad for the selections like “Pagg” and others being shown, because we should never grow tired of being reminded about the social change that should be in the forefront of our minds until, honestly, they are issues no longer present, or at least present enough to warrant it being necessary to showcase it through film or any other medium of communication. The film’s finale very much puts the exclamation point on the message being conveyed, basically becoming an illustration that even when certain change is initiated, it might not end up quelling the animosity or cluelessness at all, while the ones being harried continue to pay the price.
Already handling four of the primary aspects on the production side of the film, Khurmi steps out from behind the scenes and turns in a solid performance as Mandeep, a Sikh-American and all-around regular guy who simply relishes the life he has, the faith he holds dear, the family he’s been blessed with, and the country that, overall, has welcomed him to be a part of it. On the Fourth of July this year, though, his joy get interrupted upon seeing and hearing a news report about a heinous hate crime occurring, which irks him to no end when it’s divulged it was against someone of his background and/or culture, all based on how they looked. Trying to heed his wife’s request to not let it ruin their day out for the holiday, Mandeep complies and tries to make every effort to just be himself in public. Unfortunately, his agitated inner state of being only gets riled up more, as ongoing instances happen that keep reminding him of it all, even to the extent of having to directly confront an instigator. Taking the only action he suddenly feels compelled to do, the results of it only end up becoming further proof of society’s ills, even in the land of the free. Throughout, Khurmi delivers the character as a straightforward “everyman” caught up in harsh truths and circumstances, played well and with understated conviction.
The primary co-starring roles belong to Pacent as Mandeep’s wife Rachel, who makes every possible try to maintain a sense of peace and enjoyment for her family even as Mandeep’s attitude continues to deteriorate as the celebratory day moves on, to the extent of talking him down when the hate brewing around them gets personal, and Khatiwala as Mandeep’s son Sunny. Supporting appearances are many, including George A. Peters II, Zoya Singh, Alexander Stine, Shal Ngo, Samantha Karlin, Steve Humphreys, Shavanna Calder, Rob Figueroa, Siraj Huda, Robert Sansivero, Marina Anaya, Blake Babbit, Hasan Farrow, Wonjin Hahn, Xavier Reyes, Raleigh Richter, and Evan Michael Pinsonnault. In total, “Pagg” is a decently enacted short film effort that tackles the notions of hate, persecution, paranoia, stereotyping, and cultural unsettledness plus the impact it has on those affected by it with good intent and fitting execution to get its points across in a way that will further raise awareness about our behavior and ideologies in a turbulent and unsure world that is contemporary America.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
Permalink