International South Asian Film Festival brings rich lineup of films to Surrey

by Chandler Walter on September 21st, 2023 at 10:33 AM

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Surrey is the place to be at the tail end of September for anyone wanting to check out the latest and greatest in South Asian film.

The 2023 International South Asian Film Festival is running from September 28 to October 1, with screenings taking place at Landmark Cinemas Surrey and the theme of “Pathbreakers” marking a constant for the lineup of films chosen for the festival.

And what a lineup it is. Kicking things off as the opening feature is Lord Curzon ki Haveli from director Anshuman Jha and starring Arjun Mathur, Rasika Dugal, Zoha Rahman, and Paresh Pahuja. The film tells the story of five immigrants living in the West and coming together for a thoroughly entertaining unplanned dinner party.

Other feature films include Pine Cone, The Lunchbox, Call Me Dancer, Complexion, and the Pakistani-Canadian supernatural thriller by Zarrar Kahn In Flames, which will close out the festival on October 1.

“We’re incredibly excited to present ‘Pathbreakers’ as our festival theme this year,” says Pulkit Datta, the festival’s artistic director, in a statement. “Our aim is to provide a platform for the voices and stories of South Asia and its diaspora to be enjoyed by the BC audience and beyond. Each film in our lineup offers a unique perspective from the massively diverse and complex South Asian communities, addressing contemporary issues, challenging the status quo, and flexing the artistic prowess of South Asian filmmakers. We look forward to celebrating the artists who have changed the game and will inspire future generations."

Tickets to the opening gala and screenings of six feature films, four documentaries, and over 30 short films can be found on the International South Asian Film Festival’s website.