Roots

Production Company
Enkaur Productions
Producer(s)
Amreen Gill, Amit Dhuga
Director(s)
Jasleen Kaur
Casting Director(s): 
Nico Robin
Union Status
Non-Union
Project Type
Film
Student Production
No
Compensation Details

TBD

Shoot / Performance Date(s)
March 28-30
Shoot / Performance Location(s)
Vancouver
Submission Deadline
Friday, January 31, 2025
Submission Instructions

Please email enkaurproductions@gmail.com with your headshot, resume and demo reel (if you have one). We will provide audition sides and request that you send us back a self-tape for further consideration.

Project Synopsis
ROOTS - a short film set in 1940s Vancouver. An Indo-Canadian woman fights against discriminatory sentiments at a city council meeting, defending her right to purchase a home in a predominantly white neighbourhood.
Character 1
Ajit Singh
Age
20s-30s
Gender
Male
Description
(South Asian) Ajit is a thoughtful and composed man, radiating warmth and quiet strength. A soldier in the Canadian military during World War II, his presence symbolizes sacrifice, courage, and unwavering support. Though no longer alive, he appears as a figment of his wife Neelam's imagination, offering her solace and encouragement during her struggle against systemic racism. Ajit’s calm demeanour and compassionate words reflect his deep love for his family and his belief in building a better future for their son. His connection with Neelam is tender and heartfelt, highlighting their shared resilience and hopes for justice and equality.
Character 2
Resident #1
Age
20s
Gender
Female
Description
(Caucasian) A seemingly polite and composed individual with a veneer of fairness, she expresses concern for her community under the guise of protecting children and stability. Her subtle micro-aggressions and discomfort with change reflect the ingrained biases of the time.
Character 3
Resident #2
Age
30s-40s
Gender
Female
Description
(Caucasian) Stylish and assertive, she presents herself as a well-meaning advocate for "harmony" but disguises her exclusionary beliefs behind polished rhetoric. Her condescending tone and veiled comments reveal an underlying resistance to progress and diversity.
Character 4
Resident #3
Age
30s-50s
Gender
Male
Description
(Caucasian) A confident and authoritative businessman representing real estate interests, he speaks with calculated poise. His calm demeanour masks the discriminatory undertones of his argument, emphasizing property values and “community character” as a justification for exclusion.
Character 5
Councilman #1
Age
50s-60s
Gender
Male
Description
(Caucasian) The chair of the council meeting, he embodies the institutional bias of the era. Though outwardly polite, his dismissive tone and coded language reinforce systemic barriers and reflect an entrenched resistance to change.
Additional Characters

COUNCILMAN #2 - Male, 40s-50s, Caucasian
More overtly prejudiced than his colleagues, he voices skepticism and discomfort with Neelam’s claims. His patronizing attitude and ignorance about South Asian contributions to the military underscore his bias and lack of cultural awareness.

COUNCILMAN #3 - Male, 50s-60s, Caucasian
A surprising ally on the council, he initially remains silent but ultimately supports the protagonist with a measured, impactful statement. His acknowledgment of the protagonist’s arguments demonstrates his empathy and willingness to challenge the status quo.

HIRA SINGH - South Asian male, age 6-10

PROSPECTIVE NEIGHBOUR #1 - Black female, 20s-40s

PROSPECTIVE NEIGHBOUR #2 - Black male, 20s-40s

REALTOR - Open ethnicity, 30s-50s