SYNOPSIS
When he brings a girlfriend who doesn’t match his parents’ expectations to a family holiday, Sidharth and his family are forced to reckon with their conflicting values.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
When I was in eighth grade, I had at least 6 girlfriends (separately, that is – not all at once). Given, middle school relationships don’t really count, and honestly, I don’t even think I really liked any of them. But there seemed to be something exciting about calling someone my girlfriend at a time when my parents absolutely abhorred the idea of me even thinking about dating. It resulted in a lot of secretive texting, hidden handholding, and lots of random walks to feel like I could be free to date who I wanted. The whole thing seemed like a booby trap waiting to spring at the time. I was less afraid of actually being caught dating and more afraid that everyone in my family would react wildly differently to finding out, especially after my goody two-shoes brother started dating a girl that seemed a 1:1 match with my parents’ hopes and dreams. In fact, this is a pattern that seems almost quintessential to the South Asian dating experience well into adulthood, with many entirely hiding away their relationships for fear of what their parents might say. But over time, even though everyone in my family holds wildly oppositional opinions on everything (not just about dating lives and preferences), I realized a couple of important underlying truths: 1. No matter our differences in opinion or beliefs, everything my parents wanted for me comes from a place of the utmost love. My brother and I are their entire world. 2. Whether we realized it or not, every time my brother and I challenged their viewpoints, or asked them for anything, they would consistently challenge their own deeply-held values and beliefs for our sake. This film is an ode to the love that immigrant parents have for their kids, and the sacrifices they make as a result. This is for my mom and dad. I hope you enjoy. (I don’t lie to them about my dating life anymore, I swear).