Nana [Pre-Feature Short]
A young man returns home to India after the recent passing of his grandfather where he discovers a legacy amidst nostalgia.
Director
Ritesh Matlani is a Vancouver-based producer, director and writer. Born and raised in the middle east, of Indian heritage, he’s drawn to stories of how his culture thrives in a different geography. Indian diaspora, immigration, family and society, queer experiences and suppressed agony are recurring themes in his films. Trained at the Vancouver Film School, nurtured through global travel, growing up Ritesh was influenced by Bollywood.
He works full-time at a local production company in British Columbia producing features for TV networks in North America. This is his directorial short debut.
Director’s Note: In 2017, I lost my grandfather (Nana) to cancer. I was living and working in Canada at the time.
His last months were afflicted with agony and I had a ticket to go see him but I was stranded in Vancouver due to immigration delays on my work visa, forbidden to leave the country. And the day I couldn’t board my flight, he passed away.
Some of his last words were about me. This film was born out of grief, regret and reconciliation. In his death, he became a shining example of love, empathy and humanity and this is my tribute to him.