I Want To Be A Desi

2012-01-08T13:40:00.005-05:00

Barrie Film Fest awards Desi

Late update: Last October, I Want To Be A Desi captured third place at the Barrie Film Festival north of Toronto. The award extends the list of victories at the Grand River (Kitchener-Waterloo) and Mississuaga Independent film festivals. Bravo will broadcast the award-winning film this year in Canada.

2011-10-17T21:34:00.006-04:00

Desi returns to San Diego

San Diego Asian Film Festival loves Desi. After showing I Want To Be A Desi 2 almost exactly two years ago, the venerable SDAFF is unspooling I Want To Be A Desi on October 22 & 26 before the feature, Big In Bollywood. These screenings cap a busy month with Desi playing in screens in Toronto (FILMI) and Barrie.

Mr. Dasgupta (Jazz Mann) elated

Raj (David Yee) not so elated

2011-09-28T17:55:00.012-04:00

Bride #2 (Tara Joshi) and Raj (David Yee) celebrate an addition to their young family

Desi invades southern Ontario in October

In October, I Want To Be A Desi hits southern Ontario in back-to-back screenings, first at the FILMI Toronto South Asian Film Festival then the Barrie Film Festival.

FILMI hosts the film on Saturday, October 1 at 4:00 pm at the Revue Cinema in west-end Toronto. Two weeks later north of Toronto, Desi hits the Barrie Film Festival Short Film Showcase & Awards Nigh t on Saturday, October 15th at 6:30 pm.
The FILMI screening marks the second time Desi hits hometown screens. In July, The Mississauga Independent Film Festival played the comedy and awarded it Honourable Mention as best short.

2011-08-09T09:16:00.003-04:00

Update: Second Desi screening added to New York's AAIFF

The Asian American International Film Festival in New York has added a second screening of the shorts program, A Day Less Ordinary, which includes I Want To Be A Desi. The encore screening takes place at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas on Saturday, August 13, 2:00 pm.

The original screening for Friday, August 12, at 6:30 at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas sold out. Director Allan Tong is offering a free pair of tickets to the Saturday screening on a first-come, first-served basis. To claim the tickets, click here.

2011-08-05T09:58:00.006-04:00

Second Desi screening added to New York's AAIFF schedule

The Asian American International Film Festival in New York has added a second screening of the shorts program, A Day Less Ordinary, which includes I Want To Be A Desi. The original screening for Friday, August 12, at 6:30 at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas is nearly sold out.

Mr. Dasgupta (Jazz Mann) breaks into a rendition of "New York, New York" in Punjabi
upon hearing the good news

AAIFF program director, Martha Tien, has just announced an encore screening at the Clearview for Saturday, August 13, 2:00 pm. Full ticket deals will be announced soon.

The Desi crew are overjoyed with the news. "We're overjoyed with the news!" exclaims director Allan Tong from Toronto as he prepares to shoot his next film, Little Mao.

The AAIFF also screened I Want To Be A Desi 2 at its 2009 festival.

2011-07-28T21:42:00.004-04:00

"Newwww Yawk! Newwww Yawk!" croons Jazz Mann (Mr. Dasgupta) between takes

DESI returns to the Big Apple, August 12

Two years after its pre-sequel played there, I Want To Be A Desi returns to Chelsea in Manhattan as part of the Asian American International Film Festival. Desi screens as part of "A Day Less Ordinary" shorts program on Friday, August 12, 6:45 at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, right next to the revered Chelsea Hotel.

David Yee (Roger/Raj) takes a smoke break as he dreams of New York

"Great!" says co-writer Dinesh Sachdev who co-produced the documentary I Want To Be A Desi 2, which graced AAIFF screens in summer 2009. "Super!" adds laconic director and co-writer, Allan Tong. The duo just returned from the Mississauga Independent Film Festival with an Honourable Mention for Desi. They are excited about Desi's return to Manhattan, where the AAIFF has welcomed both hims.

Vadanya!

The three lovely brides who woo Raj/Roger so they can honeymoon in Manhattan.
From top: Rashmi Mistry, Tara Joshi & Lida Mankovski

2011-07-27T11:42:00.004-04:00

At the MIFF red carpet

I Want To Be A Desi director and co-writer, Allan Tong, and co-writer Dinesh Sachdev chat with TTN-HD Reporter Katie Uhlmann on the red carpet at the gala reception for the Mississauga Independent Film Festival on July 20. The reception took place at the Art Gallery of Mississauga to kick off MIFF where Desi earned an Honourable Mention from the judges. Thanks to Joanne Uhlmann who shot and edited this clip.

2011-07-25T14:06:00.003-04:00

Desi earns Honourable Mention at Mississauga Indie Fest

I Want To Be A Desi scored second place in the Short Film Competition at the Mississauga Independent Film Festival. Festival Director Matt Campagna personally congratulated director/writer Allan Tong and co-writer Dinesh Sachdev after last night's Awards Ceremony at the AMC Winston Churchill in Oakville.

So that's the second second-place finish for Desi, including The Grand River Film Festival (Kitchener-Waterloo, ON) last year.

Desi's next festival stop is the Asian-American International Film Festival in New York, NY, on Friday, August 12.

2011-07-21T15:33:00.007-04:00

DESI director and writer attend MIFF opening gala

(L to R): "DESI" co-writer Dinesh Sachdev, director Allan Tong & TTN-HD's Katie Uhlmann
@ Mississauga Indie Film Fest opening gala (July 20). (Photo by Joanne Uhlmann)

(L to R): "DESI" co-writer Dinesh Sachdev, director Allan Tong & TTN-HD's Katie Uhlmann @ Mississauga Indie Film Fest opening gala (July 20): Photo by Joanne Katie Uhlmann

The Desi gang hit the Mississauga Independent Film Festival's gala party at the resplendent Art Gallery of Mississauga. Co-writer Dinesh Sachdev and co-writer/director Allan Tong were interviewed on the red carpet by the lovely Katie Uhlmann of TTN-HD (and photographed by the equally lovely Joanne Uhlmann).

Tong and Sachdev were pleased to meet the festival organizers and fellow filmmakers such as producer Ryan Reaney.

Remember: I Want To Be A Desi screens at MIFF this Saturday at noon.

2011-07-20T17:13:00.003-04:00

MIFF opens tonight, Desi on Saturday

Mr. Dasgupta (Jazz Mann) is dressed up for tonight's MIFF gala

The Mississauga Independent Film Fest opens tonight at 7:00pm with a formal gala at the Art Gallery of Mississauga. The festival which runs until July 24, 2011, will screen I Want To Be A Desi at noon on Saturday, July 23 at the AMC Winston Churchill 24 (2081 Winston Park Drive, Oakville). Tickets are $8. Click here for the full MIFF schedule. Following this screening, Desi returns to American screens. Stay tuned, yaar.

2011-07-11T22:40:00.007-04:00

DESI is MIFF'd on July 23

Roger/Raj (David Yee) tries to be a "desi" in Mississauga

Next stop on the festival tour for I Want To Be A Desi is just west of Toronto, at the Mississauga Independent Film Fest.

The comedy appears as part of the Short Program A starting at noon on Saturday, July 23 at the AMC Winston Churchill 24 (2081 Winston Park Drive, Oakville). Tickets are $8. Click here for the full MIFF schedule.

Following this screening, Desi returns to American screens. Stay tuned, yaar.

2011-06-06T15:27:00.005-04:00

Desi returns to New York

New York's Asian American International Film Festival has invited I Want To Be A Desi to screen at its festival in Manhattan during August 10-20. In July 2009, the AAIFF premiered the pre-sequel, I Want To Be A Desi 2, to wide acclaim.

Needless to say director Allan Tong is thrilled that Desi is playing in New York, the greatest city on Earth, at a renown festival. Allan and co-producer and star, Dinesh Sachdev, attended the 2009 screening. No word yet, however, on whether either can attend the screening in August, given work commitments.

The AAIFF will release a full schedule and ticketing details soon. Stay tuned for updates.

Meanwhile, The Mississauga Independent Film Festival (MIFF), will screen Desi sometime between July 20-24 in western Toronto. Details coming soon.

2011-05-22T12:22:00.003-04:00

Meet the crew of I Want To Be A Desi

Making any film is a team effort, and Desi was definitely a collaborative effort. The two-day shoot at a high school in North York was intense, but full of laughs and camaraderie. Here are some of the talented people who helped make Desi. All photos by producer Danijel Margetic and property of Balkan Films:

Director of Photography DANIEL GRANT pondering the next set-up

Production manager PETER MABRUCCO pondering the next meal break for the cast and crew

DP DANIEL GRANT (left) ponders the day's schedule with First Assistant Director CHARLES SMITH (right)

First Assistant Camera BRAW DWORKIN ponders what DP DANIEL GRANT (back to us) says

Production Designer ROSE LEGACE builds a set while others ponder

2011-05-22T11:56:00.002-04:00

Desi premieres in Toronto this summer

I Want To Be A Desi has been chosen as an official selection in the Short Film Program for The 2011 Mississauga Independent Film Festival, July 20-24. Screening details to come at: http://miff.ca

2011-05-07T13:05:00.002-04:00

I Want To Be A Desi...In Short on May 11

I Want To Be A Desi will have its Canadian broadcast premiere on Bravo!FACT's new show, In Short, at 10:00 pm ET/7:00 pm PT, Wednesday May 11, 2011 on Bravo! Since Desi is presently touring the North American festival circuit, only an excerpt will be aired.

The theme of the May 11 episode is Envy and Kindness. Launching at the beginning of May 2011, In Short is the only Canadian TV destination in an easily accessible time slot dedicated to short films. Eight new one-hour specials featuring Canadian short films will air over eight consecutive weeks. The shorts have all been produced with funds awarded by Bell Media's Bravo!FACT (Foundation to Assist Canadian Talent).

Each episode is based on one of the seven deadly sins and their accompanying virtues: pride/humility, envy/kindness, lust/chastity, greed/charity, wrath/patience, sloth/diligence and gluttony/temperance. Renowned film critic Richard Crouse hosts all eight In Short episodes, serving as a guide for the viewer.

2011-04-13T23:03:00.004-04:00

Desi American premiere in Oregon on April 29

I Want To Be A Desi makes its U.S. premiere at the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival on Saturday, April 30 to kick off the 3:00 pm Shorts Program. Details and tickets.

2011-03-15T22:16:00.005-04:00

Desi invades America

I Want To Be A Desi has been chosen as an official selection at the Sixth Annual DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon. DisOrient take place at the Bijou Arts Cinema in Eugene, OR April 29-May 1, 2011. This will be the American premiere of Desi.

Details to come.

2010-11-01T20:22:00.003-04:00

Desi plays Hamilton

I Want To Be A Desi plays The Hamilton Film Festival on Wednesday, November 3 at the 7:00pm Comedy Shorts program. Come out and have a hilarious time. Tickets and directions: http://www.hamiltonfilmfestival.com/

Pal Uncle (Jazz Mann) welcomes you to The Hamilton Film Festival

2010-10-22T22:00:00.001-04:00

I WANT TO BE A DESI wins 2nd place and premieres at GRFF

My short comedy, I Want To Be A Desi, took second place at the 2010 Grand River Film Festival's BMO SHORT Shorts Competition and premieres there on Saturday, October 23.

At a recent ceremony held in Kitchener, ON, the judges praised Desi for its witty writing, assured direction and smart cinematography, and for addressing the issue of identity in modern Canada. "The acting was excellent, the editing thoughtful, and the use of music very clever," announced one of the judges, Phillip Bast, a Kitchener filmmaker and journalist. "I Want To Be A Desi is a delightful film, a comic social investigation into multicultural identity for second generation Canadians in large urban centres, particularly the Greater Toronto Area."

Fellow judge and Toronto filmmaker, Benjamin Rousse, added that Desi is "a solid film with no weaknesses in any area of film production. Writer/director Allan Tong demonstrates a firm grasp of the art of filmmaking."

Desi bride (Tari Joshi on left) and Pal Uncle (Jazz Mann at right) celebrate with wannabe Desi, Roger/Raj (David Yee)

I Want To Be A Desi will screen in a program devoted to the BMO SHORT Shorts on Saturday, October 23, 1:00 p.m. at the Galt Little Theatre in Cambridge, next to Kitchener-Waterloo. The screening will be the World Premiere of I Want To Be A Desi. Click here for schedule and tickets. Waterloo Record article about GRFF.

Click here to see the trailer

2010-10-14T16:12:00.003-04:00

Desi 2 plays Barrie Film Festival

I Want To Be A Desi 2 screens at this weekend's Barrie Film Festival north of Toronto. It takes part in the festival's Short Film Showcase on Saturday, October 16. The winner will be announced at the Awards Party later on Saturday night.

2010-10-09T11:09:00.003-04:00

I Want To Be A Desi 2 completes American schools tour

As I Want To Be A Desi embarks on its festival run, Desi 2 has completed the first tour of American schools as organized by Asian CineVision (ACV). ACV are the same folks who premiered Desi 2 at New York's Asian American International Film Festival in July last year.

Desi 2 and other shorts played New York and New Jersey schools "to promote the vision of Asian and Asian American media artists...and inspire and inform the Asian American community and audiences everywhere," said ACV.

Plans are afoot for Desi 2 to take part in the 2010-11 tour. Stay tuned.

2010-09-29T13:02:00.012-04:00

I Want To Be A Desi wins at Grand River Film Festival

I Want To Be A Desi captured second-place in the BMO SHORT Shorts Competition held at the fourth Grand River Film Festival.

"The acting was excellent, the editing thoughtful, and the use of music very clever," announced one of the judges, Phillip Bast, a Kitchener filmmaker and journalist. "I Want To Be A Desi is a delightful film, a comic social investigation into multicultural identity for second generation Canadians in large urban centres, particularly the Greater Toronto Area."

Fellow judge and Toronto filmmaker, Benjamin Rousse, added that Desi is "a solid film with no weaknesses in any area of film production. Writer/director Allan Tong demonstrates a firm grasp of the art of filmmaking."

Things are looking up for "desi" Roger (David Yee)

Allan was on hand at The Museum in downtown Kitchener, ON last night to receive the award from the festival and awards sponsor BMO. The presentation was part of GRFF's annual Chairman's Gala and Festival Launch taking place at The Museum in Kitchener. I Want To Be A Desi and other finalists' films were was shown on a silent loop in the resplendent open-air lobby of the The Museum.

The judges praised Desi for its witty writing, assured direction and smart cinematography, and for addressing the issue of identity in modern Canada. I Want To Be A Desi will appear in a program devoted to the BMO SHORT Shorts on Saturday, October 23, 1:00 p.m. at the Galt Little Theatre in Cambridge, next to Kitchener-Waterloo. The screening will be the World Premiere of I Want To Be A Desi. Click here for schedule and tickets. Waterloo Record article about GRFF.

2010-09-11T11:58:00.005-04:00

I Want To Be A Desi finalist at Grand River Film Festival

I Want To Be A Desi has been chosen as a finalist in the Open Category of the 2010 Grand River Film Festival's BMO SHORT Shorts Competition. The winning films will be announced at the annual Chairman's Gala and Festival Launch on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, taking place at The Musuem, 10 King Street West, Kitchener, Ontario.

David Yee as Roger ("Raj") learning to be a desi

2010-07-15T10:52:00.004-04:00

Desi2 comes full circle at Masala! Mehndi! Masti!

The Masala! Mehndi! Masti! festival will screen I Want To Be A Desi 2 on Sunday, July 25 at 4:00 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on the CNE grounds. The film is part of a program of shorts programmed by the FILMI South Asian Film Festival.

After a festival run that began exactly a year ago at New York's Asian American International Film Festival that extended across North America including Washington, Vancouver, San Diego, and Portland, Desi 2 returns home with this screening. It's only fitting because a big portion was filmed at the 2008 Masala! Mehndi! Masti!

Admission is free, and the festival runs all weekend with a full schedule of dance, music, parties, food and of course films. Familes welcome. Events held indoors and out, so enjoy the sun.

And if you're in Kelowna that weekend, check out the Okanagan International Film Festival where Desi 2 will play on July 24. Click here for details.

2010-07-12T13:35:00.004-04:00

The west coast loves Desi 2

Following screenings in Vancouver, Portland and San Diego, I Want To Be A Desi 2 will next play at the Okanagan International Film Festival on July 24 in beautiful Kelowna, BC. Director Allan Tong's earlier film, Grange Avenue, screened here two years ago.

Click here for tickets and full details.

2010-05-17T14:23:00.012-04:00

I WANT TO BE A DESI completed

Production of the short film, I Want To Be A Desi, has ended and the completed film has been delivered to broadcaster, Bravo. The six-minute comedy will play the festival circuit for the next 12 months before Bravo broadcasts it across Canada.

In the film, a young man of multiracial origin, Roger (David Yee), doesn't know who he is, and so hires a suspicious Indo-Canadian (Jazz Mann, see below) to teach him to become a 'desi' in one day. That includes choosing a beautiful bride who can cook a perfectly circular roti. But is it that easy to step into someone else's skin?

The film was shot over two days in December in North York. DP Daniel Grant shot the film on the Red camera while Rose Legace acted as the Production Designer. Baun Mah edited the film, while Danijel Margetic completed the online edit in addition to his producer's duties. The film was made by Balkan Films and the executive producers are Michael McNamara and Judy Holm.

The film was a pleasure to shoot, according to director Allan Tong. "The film was a pleasure to shoot," he recalls today, extending his thanks to a hard-working and dedicated crew.

Bravo and the Toronto Arts Council invested in this six-minute production. Special thanks also go to ACTRA for its TIP program, and the CFTPA. (Click here for the cast and crew list.) Check back for regular updates as Desi during its festival run.

T R A I L E R

2010-05-08T10:57:00.004-04:00

Desi2 to screen at Okanagan Film Festival in July

The West Coast loves DESI. The Okanagan International Film Festival has chosen the short documentary to play at its annual festival taking place July 21-25 in lovely Kelowna, B.C. Desi2 has already screened in San Diego, Vancouver and Portland.

Screening times will appear on the Okanagan site as soon as renovations are done, but sign up at the festival's Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36407298283&ref=ts&v=info

2010-04-17T11:48:00.004-04:00

Desi2 plays DisOrient on April 24

I Want To Be A Desi 2 screens at the DisOrient Asian American Film Festival of Oregon in Portland on Saturday, April 24 at noon as part of the Life As We Know It program. The screening marks yet another west coast screening for the six-minute documentary, following successful festival appearances in San Diego and Vancouver. Full festival details and ticket orders at:

2010-03-14T11:15:00.003-04:00

I Want To Be A Desi 2 named top doc at U of T Film Fest

I Want To Be A Desi 2 was awarded the Best Documentary prize at last night's University of Toronto Film Festival. Director Allan Tong was on hand to accept the award and thank the Hart House Film Board which organized the jammed-pack one-day, multimedia event, and his collaborators including cinematographer, David Eng, who picked up an award for one of his films.Two DV cameras from the Hart House Film Board, a battered, old Canon XL-1 and a 24P Panasonic, were used in filming Desi 2. One scene was later shot in Hart House, which sits on the grounds on the downtown UofT campus.

For those who missed the screening yesterday, I Want To Be A Desi 2, can be viewed for a little longer at the National Screen Institute's Online Film Festival.

2010-03-10T13:23:00.002-05:00

Desi 2 plays at 2010 University of Toronto Film Festival

IWTAB2 plays on Saturday, March 13 at the University of Toronto Film Festival. It appears in a one-hour program devoted to non-student shorts at 5:45 pm. All screenings at this fest are free and take place at Hart House just west of Queen's Park. Go to the second floor Music Room. Full schedule at: http://uoftfilmfest.ca/wp/

2010-01-31T12:22:00.006-05:00

Desi2 @ ReFrame Peterborough

Director Allan Tong and co-producer Dinesh Sachdev attended the screening of I Want To Be A Desi 2 at the ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival on January 30. The film played to its largest audience-to-date, where over 200 Peterboroughians laughing and applauding at the beautiful Showplace Performance Centre. Desi 2 played alongside the films Terra Sacer (Sacrificed Land) and Six Miles Deep, directed by Alberto Guevara & Elysée Nouvet, and Sara Roque respectively.
Immediately after the late-afternoon screening Allan joined those filmmakers plus documentarian Amy Miller (right in photo above) and ReFrame programmer Wanda Nanibush (left) for a discussion with the audience about truth in documentary film.

In the audience was local filmmaker (who is screening a film at the festival) and ReFrame projectionist, Lester Alfonso (left in photo below).
Allan and Dinesh (right in photo above) thank Wanda for inviting them to her impressive film festival, and Allan thanks Greek translator Irini for her assistance, linguistically and photographically.

2010-01-28T11:29:00.004-05:00

I Want To Be A Desi 2 screens at ReFrame in Peterborough

I Want To Be A Desi 2 will screen at the ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival on Saturday, January 30, at 4:00 at the Showplace (with Terra Sacer and Six Miles Deep). Director Allan Tong and co-producer Dinesh Sachdev will present the film. Allan will also speak at the Filmmakers Panel immediately following the screening, also at the Showplace.

2010-01-17T21:42:00.003-05:00

Director Allan Tong interview on CFFF-FM

Director Allan Tong will be talking about "DESI 2" with CFFF radio's Barry Boyce on his Social Justice Power Hour program on Monday, January 18, from 3:30 to 4:00 pm. CFFF is Trent University's radio station, and Allan is promoting the January 30 screening of "DESI 2" at the ReFrame International Film Festival in Peterborough.

Listen online at http://www.trentu.ca/org/trentradio/

2009-12-03T20:58:00.005-05:00

DESI2 returns to Canada

Following successful screenings in Washington, DC and San Diego, I Want To Be A Desi 2 received its Canadian premiere at the Vancouver Asi an Film Festival on November 6 and will enter the new year screening at The ReFrame Peterborough International Film Festival on Saturday January 30, 2010. Q&A with director Allan Tong and co-producer and "Desi" Dinesh Sachdev willfollow.

Full schedule will soon be up at www.reframefilmfestival.ca

2009-11-24T23:53:00.001-05:00

Casting Call for I Want To Be A Desi

Nov. 24: I'm casting South Asian actors for the Dec.6 shoot of I WANT TO BE A DESI, the comedy version of "DESI 2." This is an ACTRA TIP project (BravoFact), so all actors and background performers must belong to ACTRA:

SA FEMALE 1: background role: early-20s to play a virginal, naive Indian bachelorette.

SA FEMALE 2: actor role: early/mid 20s to play glamorous Bollywood bride who becomes a gold-digger.

SA MALE: 30s-up: actor role; business owner type who runs a "Desi School." Looks legit, but is really a little sneaky.

ASIAN/FILIPINO FEMALE: background role: 30s-up to play a nanny.

To apply: e-mail CV, headshot and agent details to tong.allan@gmail.com. Auditions scheduled. No calls, please.

2009-11-01T21:32:00.004-05:00

Desi 2 at Vancouver Asian Film Fest

Following two screenings at San Diego Asian Film Festival and Washington's DC APA last month, I Want To Be A Desi 2 continues its festival tour with a screening at The Vancouver Asian Film Festival on Friday, Nov.6 in the Mighty Asians & Funny Canadians program.

2009-10-13T21:59:00.003-04:00

DESI 2 plays San Diego

I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 continues its American festival run with not one, but *two* screenings at the San Diego Asian Film Festival in the American Dreams and Reflections program:

Friday, October 16 @ 4:00 pm (free screening)
Tuesday, October 27 @ 5:40 pm

@ The UltraStar Theater
7510 Hazard Center Drive, located off Friars Road at 163, San Diego, CA

Full details and ticketing info:
http://sdaff.bside.com/2009/films/americandreamsandreflections_sdaff2009

2009-10-02T17:50:00.004-04:00

DESI Does Washington

I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 screens at the DC APA (Washington's Asian Pacific American Film Festival) on Monday, October 5 at 6:30 pm at the Canadian Embassy in the all-Canuck program, Twelve.

For tickets and more information go to http://www.apafilm.org/category/events/

2009-08-21T07:48:00.008-04:00

Washington, San Diego & Vancouver want "Desi 2"

Washington's DC APA and Vancouver Asian film festivals join San Diego Asian in selecting I Want To Be A Desi 2 to screen in the autumn. This short documentary continues its hitting streak on the Asian film fest circuit, starting with the mid-July world premiere at New York's Asian American International Film Festival. Exact screening dates will soon be announced but the film's "tour" schedule looks something like this:

Editor Ngardy Conteh has just outputted a fresh master that will in turn be transferred to BetaSP tape that the festivals will play.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for another November screening perhaps, in of all places, Toronto.

Meanwhile, I'm busy prepping to shoot I Want To Be A Desi, the short comedy that inspired this "pre-sequel." Stay tuned...

2009-07-27T17:38:00.003-04:00

(July 27/09) Hot on the heels of its world premiere, I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 has just been invited to screen at the San Diego Asian Film Festival in late-October. The screening will take place sometime between October 15-29 at this revered festival that celebrates film made by the Asian disapora.

Needless to say I'm excited and co-producer Dinesh Sachdev is thrilled (actually Dinesh is excited and I'm thrilled).

Stay tuned for details in the weeks to come...

2009-07-27T15:21:00.007-04:00

I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 has world premiere at

Asian American International Film Festival
in Manhattan

(July 27/09) I Want To Be A Desi 2 had its world premiere at the 32nd AAIFF in lower Manhattan on Saturday, July 25. The short documentary was part of the shorts program about individual identity, "Here...look at me," that screened at the newly renovated MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America) at 215 Centre Street in New York's Chinatown.

The nearly sold-out screening at the new Museum of Chinese in America

Despite a sultry summer's day and the dinner-hour scheduling, a near-sell-out crowd came out to pack the screening room at MOCA where the paint was still drying. Myself, director Allan Tong, and co-producer Dinesh Sachdev attended. The films ranged from profiles of a Vancouver yo-yo champion to a Hiroshima survivor to a Japanese-American cowboy singer. The quality was high throughout and I was pleased to be part of this line-up.

The post-screening Q&A with several of the directors in the program.
I Want To Be A Desi 2 director, Allan Tong, is the third from the left, in black

I was part of a spirited group Q&A afterwards that included filmmakers of several other films on the bill. I was asked why I made IWTBAD2 and if there is a IWTBAD1. I explained that in a Lucas-esque way, I'm putting out the sequal before the original film, and that Desi 1 will be completed by the fall for Bravo TV. Dinesh received a hearty round of applause for his performance as the roti-lovin' Mr. Desi in the film.

Allan answering an audience question as director Irene Herrera
(You Can Call Me Nikkie) listens.

Overall, I had a fantastic time at AAIFF. I met other filmmakers and saw their fine work, and was treated well by AAIFF staff and volunteers. I enjoyed the screenings, workshops and receptions. The festival was all the more sweeter because it took place in the greatest city on earth in the middle of summer.

Director Allan Tong and co-producer/Mr. Desi, Dinesh Sachdev,
after the successful screening.

By coincidence the festival took place exactly one year after we commenced shooting at Toronto's Masala! Mehndi! Masti! South Asian Festival. (Thanks to Yasmine Gomez for taking the photos. Yasmine's music video, You Will Remember by the band Lumaya, also played at AAIFF.) I hope I can return 12 months from now to premiere I Want To Be A Desi.

Dinesh Sachdev (left) speaking to Dickson Chow (in glasses), director of
The Veiled Commodity which also played at AAIFF.

2009-07-09T13:04:00.002-04:00

I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 to premiere at
New York's Asian American International Film Festival

I Want To Be A Desi 2 will have its world premiere at the AAIFF in Manhattan in the program "Here...look at me" at 6:45 PM on Saturday, July 25. The venue is the recently renovated MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America @ 211-215 Centre Street).

Full details & ticket info at: http://www.aaiff.org/2009/06/02/here-look-at-me/

2009-06-02T10:37:00.003-04:00

NEWS FLASH: (June 2, 2009)

I WANT TO BE A DESI receives BRAVOFact funding

June 2: The short comedy film has received BRAVOFact funding. I WANT TO BE A DESI is the prequel to the short documentary, I WANT TO BE A DESI 2. Filming will commence in the summer of 2009. Stay tuned for further details...

2009-04-20T11:43:00.002-04:00

NEWS FLASH: (April 20, 2009):
I WANT TO BE A DESI 2 has been selected to premiere at New York's Asian American Film Festival, taking place July 23-26 in Manhattan (www.asiancinevision.org). The filmmakers shall attend. Screening details will be announced in June.

2009-02-02T18:16:00.003-05:00

I WANT TO BE A DESI 2
Official Trailer

2009-02-02T17:28:00.005-05:00

Exclaim! magazine names SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE #1 Film of 2008

Canada's music magazine, Exclaim! has named Slumdog Millionaire the best film of 2008. The Indo-UK film, directed by Danny Boyle, is one of the favourites at the upcoming Academy Awards after capturing film award after award. Below is the capsule review while Exclaim's full list of the top five films of 2008 is available from their site.

Slumdog Millionaire
This Dickensian tale begins in the slums of Mumbai, India and spans 20 years. We witness the rise of a megalopolis and the maturity of orphan Jamal, who survives street life to grow into a decent young man. However, Jamal's older brother falls into the underworld, while Jamal searches for a beloved orphan girl. This harrowing fairytale is structured around the TV show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, with each question illustrating a specific point in Jamal's life. Dazzling visuals, electrifying bhangra rock and mesmerizing pacing perfectly complement the harrowing tales of these three slum dogs.
by Allan Tong

2009-01-31T12:41:00.022-05:00

Lesson #8:
Making A Perfectly Circular Roti
Photos by Dinesh Sachdev ~ Recipe by Mrs. Sachdev ~ Layout by Allan Tong

Step 1:

Put flour into a large bowl. Make a well in the middle then pour a stream of water into the center.

Step 2:

Use one hand to mix the flour and water together in a rotating motion from the center of the bowl outwards

until the dough is moist enough to be gathered into a rough mass.

Step 3:

Wet hands and continue until the mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and has become a non-sticky, kneadable dough, feeling elastic and silky smooth.Test dough by pressing it lightly with your fingertip. If it springs back, the dough is ready to be rested. (Resting is the last step and allows the dough to absorb the water.)

Rest for 30 minutes in warm climates (e.g. India) and 1.5 hours in cold climates (e.g. Canada). Cover with a wet towel so the dough does not dry out.

Step 4:

Divide the dough into plum-size balls.

Step #5:

On a lightly floured surface, flatten one ball of dough with your hand.

Then, using a rolling-pin, roll out the dough into a thin, round patty about 5 inches in diameter.

Step 6:

Roll from the center, turning the patty several times to prevent sticking. Try to make the edges slightly thinner than the centre.

Step 7:

Preheat a cast-iron “tawa” over medium heat.

Place the rolled dough on the palm of one hand and flip it over onto the tawa.

When the colour changes on the top and bubbles appear, turn it over.

When both sides are done, use kitchen tongs (“chimta”) to remove the roti from the tawa.

Step 8:

To puff up rotis press them with a clean kitchen towel after the first flip of each side.

Step 9:

Serve hot, either completely dry or topped with a small amount of “ghee” or butter.

Step 10:

Eat it . . . just like mama made it.

2008-12-27T12:31:00.004-05:00

Santa is a Desi:

2008-12-23T15:07:00.008-05:00

How DESI are you?
Click on the test:

2008-12-15T11:46:00.005-05:00

I Want To Be A Desi 2

documentary
6 minutes ~ 2008/9
Directed and written by Allan Tong
Produced by Allan Tong & Dinesh Sachdev
Edited by Ngardy Conteh
Cinematography by David Eng
Music by DJ A.P.S.

excerpt

This hard-hitting six-minute documentary asks the perennial questions:
What does a non-Desi have to do to become a Desi?
What does the word "Desi" mean to you?

"Desi"
Used colloquially to mean South Asian immigrants and their descendants, carrying a subtext of inclusiveness and unity...

The filmmakers interviewed dozens of people at two South Asian cultural festivals (Masala! Mehndi! Masti! and FILMI South Asian Film Festival) in Toronto in the summer of 2008. Young and old, male and female, Bengali and Sikh alike gave us their heartfelt answers:

What does a non-Desi have to do to become a Desi?

"do Bhangra"

"watch Sholay"

"First of all you don’t stand in a line-up like this.
You stand in line for two minutes then your patience runs out,
then you start pushing the people to get into the thing,
and if that doesn’t happen you start screaming and shouting."

What does the word "Desi" mean to you?

"...if you’re a Canadian you’re a Canuck;
if you’re American you’re a Yankee,
and if you’re 'toned' you’re a Desi.'

"Anything that really reminds me of India,
but not necessarily Indian people."

"In East Africa we did not have 'Deshi.'
We were Indians or there were non-Indians."

SCREENINGS

Just completed, I Want To Be A Desi 2 will do the film festival circuit starting in spring 2009. Screenings will be announced here.
This the pre-sequel to the serious comedic short I Want To Be A Desi
which will be made in 2009.