Dalj Brar never imagined he would be in the film industry, let alone releasing his second feature film to a global audience. But the former Kitimat, B.C., resident, now based in Vancouver, has done just that with Dil Rakh: Gloves of Kin, an action drama that recently debuted on Amazon Prime.
The English-language film tells the story of Sukh Sidhu, a man released from prison after 20 years who struggles to reconnect with his son, Dayton. As they attempt to rebuild their relationship, they face hostility from a corrupt sheriff, figures from Sukh鈥檚 past and the same deep-seated discrimination that has lingered in their town for decades.
Brar, who lived in Kitimat from 1976 to 1993, said the story is deeply personal, shaped by his own experiences growing up in a small community. 鈥淕rowing up in a small town, there weren鈥檛 many kids that looked like me. The word 鈥榤inority鈥� was stamped upon me, setting me apart. Back then, it meant little, yet in hindsight, this label became a beacon, attracting prejudice and misconceptions,鈥� he said.
While Dil Rakh is set in a fictional U.S. town, Brar said the themes in the film鈥攑articularly the father-son relationship and the community dynamics鈥攚ere inspired by his memories of Kitimat. 鈥淧eople from Kitimat will be able to relate to everything in the movie,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 recognize locations, of course, but you will recognize the feeling of the movie. That鈥檚 where I got all the inspiration from.鈥�
The film originally featured a hockey storyline, a reflection of Brar鈥檚 childhood passion, but he reworked it with a boxing theme to ensure broader global appeal. Despite the change, the film remains rooted in personal experience. 鈥淎lthough I escaped bullying, I witnessed its impact on those less fortunate, etching a vivid image of minority adolescence in my memory,鈥� he said.
Brar is clear that Dil Rakh is not about solving racism but about portraying how it persists across generations. 鈥淭hrough Dil Rakh, I aspire to unmask the perpetuation of discriminatory ideologies from one generation to another, seeping into impressionable minds with no counterbalance,鈥� he said. 鈥淩acism persists, evolving with time, victories and defeats etched into its history. While Dil Rakh promises entertainment, it bears a weightier purpose鈥攗rging its viewers to embrace a tapestry of cultures, ushering a potential end to this relentless war.鈥�
The film was shot in smaller municipalities in the Lower Mainland and is entirely Canadian-made and funded, featuring an all-Canadian cast and crew. Brar, a Leo Award-nominated actor, wrote, directed and produced the film, which won Best BC Film at the Sundar Prize Film Festival. It was released in the U.S. in November and became available in Canada in late January.
Brar, who has returned to Kitimat several times over the years to reconnect with friends, said the community remains an important part of his identity. 鈥淲hat matters is that you watch the movie and see that people like me, people with dark skin, are just normal people going through the same shit as everyone else.鈥�
