Vishal

Vishal, a 22-year old international student, finds himself in a dingy, crowded suburban basement, trying to determine how he can balance work and school. Engrossed with his longing for home, and his inability to confess to his mother the hardships he suffers daily, Vishal is persuaded by his roommate Sourav to skip school and start work at an Indian restaurant. The chaos, and the workers remind of home, but also foreshadow what life can and probably will be for the next few years. His conversation with Dev during a delivery run disheartens him, as Dev’s comfort with living a life of limbo seems more normal than unnatural. An incident at work further reaffirms the doubts he has of studying in Canada, away from home.

  • Sumit Judge
    Writer
  • Sumit Judge
    Director
  • Ralph Ortega
    Director
  • Ralph Ortega
    Producer
  • Gurjit Judge
    Executive Producer
  • Satinder Judge
    Executive Producer
  • Stephen Nano
    Editor
  • Stephen Nano
    Director of Photography
  • Carlos Cajina
    Art Director
  • Joe Rudi
    Sound
  • Pama Sarai
    Audio Technician
  • Kialah Mason
    Make-up
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    Panjabi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Sumit Judge, Ralph Ortega

First-time filmmaker, incorporating his political science background with film to make works that introduce the mainstream to issues previously neglected. An activist with a pen and a vision.

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Director Statement

I've worked with with international students for over a decade. The curious political scientist in me would always ask questions and try to pry as much about their backgrounds, why they came, when and if they'll leave, and what was the end goal, as possible. And from student after student, I heard the same answers. They came for opportunity, liberty, that wasn't at their disposal at home. They dreamt of being Canadians. However, whence arriving here, they struggled to cope with pressures of balancing work and school, of fitting in, of their inability to convey to their parents that the seclusion was too much for them to withstand day after day. My film brings forth the life of a typical international student to the forefront. This story has not been discussed in any forum, whether paper media or television, let alone film, at any significant length. I hope this film prompts a discussion, among politicians, parents, and Canadian citizens, to ensure that international students have the opportunity to pursue their studies and not suffer injustices, which include working long hours in terrible conditions for meagre wages. International students do not need to suffer in silence.