He recently got in touch to do an interview with me on my new projects, it was a great opportunity for me to bring awareness to the Decrepit, my latest film project.

As always, my humble and sincerest thanks goes out to Dan for his continued support.

You can find the full article here.

After Peace Arch News released this story, another supporter, Wawmeesh Hamilton of Alberni Valley News got in touch to pick up the story and talk about future projects, one of which I hope to do in my hometown of Port Alberni.

You can read that full article here.

Shout outs to Dan and Wawmeesh for the great articles.

Best,

mani

Though the telephone interview had sound issues and could not be utilized for the project, the soundbites were readily used. However, the documentary was not selected to air.

Here is Jas’s documentary in full;

Jas_BalButtar_documentary.mp3

Shout out to Jas for helping bring awareness to this issue.

The Real Housewives of Vancouver premiered a couple of months ago to high ratings and praise, one of the ‘Housewives’, Reiko MacKenzie, is married to -former- gangster, Vinuse ‘Sun News’ Lal, currently known as Sun News MacKenzie, a day trader & venture capitalist. Really? Anyone buying that?

Mr. Lal, former friend/associate of the notorious Bindy Johal is living a life of riches and comforts, proclaiming that his fortune was made through hard work. While this bullshit might sound grand on mainstream media, we all know that it is garbage. Mr. Lal and Mrs. Plastica aka Reiko need to get their heads out of their asses and remember that their lives of grandeur were made on the spilled blood of the Metro Vancouver community.

Here is the Vancouver power couple as of 2012;

Here is Sun News back in his gangster days (got these screen grabs from CBC archived news footage);

^Sun News (left) & Bindy Johal (right)

The producers of the show should have done better background checks on who they cast. This ignorant move by the producers is a message to the public stating that your life of crime will be rewarded. That you can eventually have a good life with all the world’s glorious offerings. In essence, this show has glorified in one aspect, the gangster lifestyle. Making it yet again, appealing.

This story has been covered quite extensively already, here are some links if you’d like to read more.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/TV/husband-of-housewives-star-acquitted-in-murder-trial-141154023.html

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2012/04/04/real-housewives-all-the-talk-of-vancouver/

http://www.globaltvbc.com/husband+of+real+housewives+star+acquitted+in+sensational+vancouver+gangland+murder+trial/6442592107/story.html

http://grind365.com/news/true-crime/real-housewives-vancouver-hubby-has-notorious-past/

My post today is unfortunately about a negative experience with a South Asian event than about a positive one. Experiences such as these have become all too typical.

I will refrain from painting the entire South Asian Community with a broad brush, as these things happen in all communities, it has just been unfortunate that I have had the same experience multiple times in the same community.

Early in April, I was contacted by, Sandy Grewal, executive team member and Director of Films & Programming of the Punjabi International Film Festival (PIFF).

Ms. Grewal had heard about my latest feature, Footsteps Into Gangland, and was interested in screening it in Toronto. It is always exciting to be recruited by a film festival, after all, that is the way independent filmmakers get noticed. However, knowing the nature of my work, I advised Ms. Grewal that before any promises are made, it would be prudent of her to watch my film. Although she had heard good things about the film, I rather have a person watch the entire film and make a decision based on personal experience. My work has been deemed controversial and I do not want to have unexpected backlash from the festival from a rushed decision on Ms. Grewal’s part.

I provided PIFF with the preview link to Footsteps Into Gangland, also, I provided links to my other films as Ms. Grewal expressed interest. A week or so later, I was contacted by PIFF again. It seems my film was well received, furthermore, they wanted to showcase not only Footsteps Into Gangland, but A Warrior’s Religion (Short), and the Decrepit.

‘Wow’, I said to myself, ’3 of my films to be screened at the inaugural Punjabi International Film Festival!’ I was excited, but more so, felt honoured as I could showcase my work to a community that my first 2 films were geared to bring awareness to. I would also be given a chance to do a Q&A/Director’s commentary, something I feel is important to do at festivals/screenings as it is an opportunity to address concerns.

Sandy and I began discussing the details of coming out to Toronto, they would provide transportation to and from the venues, my meals and lodging would also be taken care of. When asked about flight, I would be expected to fly myself out. That was a concern. So I addressed it readily, I advised Sandy that I don’t need fancy transportation, and don’t worry about covering meals. Flight and lodging is however what I would require.

Sorry people, I would love to come out to every event, and if this world wasn’t run by money, I wouldn’t have any concerns. But at the end of the day, I have a family to feed, people to take care of, future projects to fund, and smaller events for schools and at-risk youth which I more than usually pay out of my own pocket.

See, my films have licensed music in them, meaning, something that is not my own creative work, is part of my project, and I license to use it in my project. Every time a screening occurs, I have to pay those other artists for letting me use their work.

I explained all this to Sandy, she said that she will discuss with her finance team and get back to me. In the meantime I should submit the films to get them ready for being screened. That was another concern. If I submit my films, without having the details worked out, I am legally obligated to showcase my films at the festival regardless if I am present or not. After addressing this concern, I said I would wait to hear back from her before submitting my films. I also advised her that I would discuss with my manager to see if I could afford to foot the bill on the flight. However I had already surpassed what I could afford to do for free this year, and it was only April!

Sandy advised me that the festival will not be selling tickets for the films, they would be free events, and that they didn’t get a lot of funding from sponsors. All this I can appreciate, it is tough to get a festival going, especially one geared towards a single community instead of the mainstream community. I told her I would speak to my manager and if I do not have any funds, then I would see if I can personally spare some savings to come out there. I said I would email her with the outcome and she said she would get in touch with me within a week.

I emailed her saying that my production company couldn’t afford to send me out there, but personally I would be willing to spare a couple of hundred dollars and help with the flight costs. And if that is still not enough to get me out there, I may still be willing to showcase my films at the festival without being present.

That phone call was my last correspondance with Ms. Grewal. I called her a couple of times – no answer, left a voicemail – no call back, dropped an email as well – no reply. Nothing. As if any dealings with me, any scouting of my films, had all been erased.

The two conversations I had with Sandy were both positive. We seemed to have a fair amount in common, she seemed like a cool person that I would want to get to know. Of course there were some ideologies that we disagreed with one another on, religious ones, but nothing that would account for the disrespect of not being responded to. She seemed to be open-minded and as everyone knows, I am too. I was looking forward to meeting her in person and continuing our worthwhile conversations of how film can bring about meaningful positive change.

So why the disrespect of being ignored? Well I appreciate that Ms. Grewal, and the rest of the PIFF team must have been busy getting the festival in order, but they cannot spare a single moment to respond? Unprofessional. Very unprofessional.

Of course I am disappointed with things not working out with PIFF, and I am also disappointed in not getting at least some type of communication back, but the thing I am most disappointed about is that I told Sandy of my negative experiences with South Asian events and concerns being a part of them, to which she said I would not have anything to worry about. ‘Sigh’, so much for that.

I wish PIFF the best in their future, a future I can personally say I do not want any part in.

p.s., So PIFF didn’t get a lot of sponsors, eh? And couldn’t afford to bring me out there? Perhaps the ‘galas’, ‘parties’, and ‘celebrations’ took the majority of the budget. Decide for yourself what the priorities of a festival should be;

Last month I finished work on my 3rd film, a documentary short entitled ‘the Decrepit’.

‘Filmed in the summer of 2011, ‘the Decrepit’ is a micro-budget project (less than $5k) that was made to provide an empowering voice to the people of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.

Too often these people are taken out of context and made to look as though they are ‘human trash’ by broadcasters and filmmakers.

Hear what these people have to say in the context which they intended.

Shout out to Brad Dyck for helping out with the sound and to the Vancouver Police Department: Beat Enforcement Team.

A very special thank you and shout out to Constable S. Lail, without him, this project would not have been possible.

The film is free to watch and share, I hope everyone understands the underlying message of the film.

Thank you for your support.

mani

The class was very engaged which lead to some strong discussion and dialogue. It is always encouraging and inspiring to me when my work is being utilized and is well received. Hopefully I can continue using film, poetry, and other modes of art to bring about positive change.

It has been a long journey since I decided to utilize film to bring awareness to socially conscious issues, I have been blessed with the respect I receive and I hope to continue educating students on issues such as gang activity.

Shout out to Summer once again for being such a great supporter.

Best regards,

mani

(Screening of A Warrior’s Religion took place on April 4th)

It is always an honour to be asked to speak to an audience as a guest speaker, or in this case, a panel member. This forum’s panel hosted very educated and experienced members of the community who have in-depth knowledge of criminology, awareness, prevention, intervention, enforcement, and the marijuana trade industry.

The other panel members were; Dr. Robert Gordon, Ruth Lee, Colleen Staresina, & Shayne Williams.  The forum was hosted by MP Jasbir Sandhu, moderated by Peter Leblanc (community and outreach assisatant to Jasbir Sandhu). MP Jinny Sims was also present as a guest panelist.

There was much dialogue which was followed up with great questions from the audience.

I would like to note that Maple Batalia’s mother and father were present showing support for change in our community. Their strength and courage is inspiring. I wish the Batalia family further strength. Justice for your daughter will be found.

The forum’s dialogue and Q&A was recorded, please feel free to listen below.

Shout out to Jasbir Sandhu and his office for organizing such an important event, SFU for hosting, and Peter Leblanc for tracking me down and asking me to be a panelist.

Crime & Our Community – February 21st, 2012

Further links;

http://jinnysims.ndp.ca/photo/surrey-crime-forum

http://www.asianjournal.ca/feb%2024_12/ot_head6.html

As always, thank you for helping make a positive change,

mani

Hello all,

It was a long road, but the film is finally available on DVD!

Thanks to everyone who helped throughout the production process.

Major thanks goes out to Sandi Nijjar, my manager for the last 4 years, and Robin Mahal, my assistant director who took on duties outside her scope of practice much too often.

http://www.footstepsintogangland.com/dvd

Here is some teaser artwork for the DVD release;

Enjoy!

mani

via: http://www.footstepsintogangland.com/fignowavailableondvd

On December 1st, I was invited to do a Q&A as well as talk about my personal experiences that lead me into filmmaking. It was a great experience at the Richmond campus of Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

I thank the students for their props and support and wish them the best in making a positive difference in this world.

Shout out to Summer for the ongoing support!

Thanks everyone,

mani

(Screening of A Warrior’s Religion took place on November 22nd/24th & screening of Footsteps Into Gangland took place on December 6th)

It took awhile, more than 10 years in a long-term care facility, after being blinded and paralyzed during an attempt on his life in 2001, but he got what he deserved, that is for sure.

Most people don’t know that not only was Bal Buttar a central character in my film, but that he considered me a friend and confidant.  Kim Bolan does not shy away from telling the world what Bal ‘confided’ in her, but the truth is, he was using her for the attention that he long craved.  To be honest, I don’t think she ever realized it.  Once I got a hold of Bal, he tried to use me too.  He thought that my film was going to be about him, and solely him.  His thirst of attention was based out of insecurities that are central underlying traits in most gangsters and gangster ‘wannabes’.  He often talked about how him being in my film would help sell copies of his book (that I ghost-wrote notes for as he dictated for obvious reasons), and that after the film and book release, he would be welcomed as a motivational speaker at schools.  He would talk about how people would learn from his mistakes, yet he continued to make his own.  I experienced his temper many times, calling me names, insulting me, and so on.  I witnessed his anger towards others when he could not control situations, racial and sexual remarks were often thrown at staff that worked in the care facility.  His insecurities skewed his perception of reality, often remarking how ‘bitches’ would still want to fuck him, even in his current state, and that he could have any girl just based on his history.

Poor Bal never fully grasped that he was the butt of all jokes about what it is to be a typical gangster.  That his image was portrayed as one of a failure and that his life was nothing but a tragedy.  He circumscribed sadness.

The things he confided in me were not of his crimes only, every officer and reporter already knew of his ‘secrets’, but it was his personal life, that no one really knew.  His longing to pursue arts as a child, only to have his father disrespect and humiliate him at the mere notion.  Or how after everything went awry, he still held hope that his estranged son would one day visit him and call him dad.  It were these things that brought me close to Bal.  It were these things that made me an important person in his life.  I will not deny, that I felt sad for him.

I never went into a visit with him wanting to know his ‘criminal life’, but every day asked of him about ‘him’.  The person.  Don’t get me wrong, a person so distanced from any emotion that involves trust was not the quickest of people to warm up to a complete stranger.  I spent 4-6 hours with Bal for months.  Talking to him about ‘him’, about his feelings, his memories, and everything in between.  Within a few weeks, the situation had become normal, we were both comfortable with one another.  The nursing staff often saw me doing his meal feeds, or grabbing him a drink of water or an extra blanket.  We traded jokes, listened to/watched t.v., he even gave me advice on problems I was having with my fiance (ex-fiance now) at the time.

People were worried about me.  Saying I was putting myself in danger by getting involved with him.  Bal still had many enemies, as he did encompass some secrets that they did not want the world to hear.  But it was all worth it for the footage I got of him, in his rawest essence, in his most vulnerable state.

Bal’s scenes in my film were some of the most moving and most disturbing.  Some of what he said was so prolific and poetic, yet, some of what he said was just plainly arrogant, stupid, and ignorant.

But that was Bal, a very complex person, with a multitude of insecurities and problems.  Bal hurt a lot of people, some of whom were just gangsters and perhaps deserved the fate, but some were just innocent people that got hurt via his rampage through his life.

I believe in karma, and karma will ultimately come to a balance.  For a long time it swayed, but just recently, it has tipped closer to being level, than when Bal was alive.

A typical image of Bal Buttar for the rest of his life.
Photograph by: Bill Keay, Vancouver Sun

referring article/link.