Man with a Tan Jacket

My connection with Otis goes way beyond filmmaker and subject. We met in a Harlem church basement—me, a 27 year old filmmaker from Chennai, India, and him, a 73 year old Black American Tai-chi master. On paper, we had so little in common. But when we met, we clicked instantly over our shared search for belonging—me finding my way in a new country while distanced and estranged from my own, and him trying to reconnect after 39 years locked away from his family and the world.
Over six years of friendship, we've had countless conversations about justice, survival, and finding joy despite everything. This deep bond gives me a rare access to Otis' world—his martial arts practice, his late-night screenplay writing sessions, and those tense, hopeful moments with family members who barely remember him.
Living in Brooklyn and working a minimum-wage grocery store job, I've seen firsthand how Black communities fight displacement while celebrating life through music and community—exactly what Otis does every day. This is his greatest lesson - how to maintain an unquenchable zest for life, present yourself with dignity in every situation, and fight tirelessly for your rights. As a woman from a 'third world' country and a Black man in America, we share a deep understanding of systemic oppression, albeit from different perspectives.
As Otis navigates his final act, I'm right there with him, capturing both his incredible resilience and the big question marks around his search for purpose, justice, and family. The opportunity to help realize my friend's lifelong dream is a privilege I hold dear.