Namrata

Javed, Shazia, (film director.). Cardinal, Gil, (film producer.). Thompson, Bonnie, (film producer.). Christensen, David, (film producer.). National Film Board of Canada (Montreal), (film producer.).

Summary: For the first time in 17 years, Namrata Gill wraps herself in her wedding sari. It doesn't bring back happy memories. Her husband was supposed to be Prince Charming - whisking her away from Punjab to a new life in Canada. But instead of living a fairy-tale dream, Gill found herself in a nightmare. She worked long hours in her husband's Edmonton convenience store, while facing increasing physical and emotional abuse from her husband and in-laws. And the situation only worsened after the birth of her daughter. In this intensely personal short film, Gill - whose story was one of many real-life inspirations for Deepa Mehta's feature film Heaven on Earth - describes her six years in an abusive relationship, and how difficult leaving can be when you are part of a close-knit immigrant community. Namrata is more than the story of one woman, told in her own words. Its simple and personal approach opens the door for discussions on domestic violence among new Canadians - and may even encourage others to share their stories.

Record details

Physical Description: 1 streaming video (9 min., 11 sec.) : sound + 1 study guide
remote
access
Publisher: Montreal : National Film Board of Canada, 2011.
Copyright: ©2009

Content descriptions

General Note:	Agency - English program:.North West Centre. Study guide available.
Restrictions on Access Note:	No restrictions.
Creation/Production Credits Note:	Writer, Shazia Javed ; director, Shazia Javed ; editor, Doug Forbes ; director of photography, Doug Cole ; sound recordist, Carey Opper ; sound design, Perry Blackman ; researcher, Shazia Javed ; producer, Gil Cardinal, Bonnie Thompson ; executive producer, David Christensen.
Date/Time and Place of an Event Note:	Recorded 2009.
Target Audience Note:	13-17.
System Details Note:	Mode of access: World Wide Web.
Source of Description Note:	Description based on online resource; title from title screen (National Film Board of Canada, viewed 2023-04-05).