When music and social issues collide, it creates the perfect platform for a short film worth every second.
Apart from international world tours with JoSH the BaND, Rup Magon has found time to act in a passion project — Bonjour Ji, which played the festival curcuit in the summer of 2015 and was released free to the public on YouTube in December. It also won the best short award at the International Film Festival of South Asia 2015, Best North American Short Award at the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival and at the DC South Asian Film Festival.
We sat down with Magon to discuss this very unique and thought-provoking film.
Taras Babiak: How did this project come into your life?
Rup Magon: When I was first contacted for Bonjour Ji, I was working on the film The Black Prince directed by Kavi Raz. The producer of Bonjour Ji, Surjit Pahwa, and director Satinder Kassoana, had approached me with a script that I was not very fond of. However, I immediately connected to the concept and knew that we had to do something with this. But if I was going to be a part of the project, it had to ultimately be re-written. I conveyed that if we were going to get any message of love and acceptance across, it was very important not to point any fingers. We first have to address our own fears and misconceptions and then move forward. My director was completely in tune with that and then went off to write a masterpiece.
TB: How did the team come to decide that you guys would release this film free to the public?
RM: Although we were still racking up awards at film festivals, we wanted to reach a wider audience in order to share the message. We received hundreds of emails and messages on Facebook people wanting to watch the film. We realized YouTube was going to be our best means to show the film to the large audience. It got 20,000 hits in one month!
TB: Can you give us a glimpse into your upbringing?
RM: I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. I was the only one amongst my cousins who was put into French immersion. I never really had any issues growing up in the French system until I started wearing my turban in grade 5. It was my own decision to let my hair grow. It certainly was different going to school now, but my friends never changed. It's amazing how children are innocent and loving without any prejudices. Being a turbaned Sikh in Quebec has had its own challenges, but nothing we can't grow from. Quebecois are a very loving community.
TB: Can you describe how ethnic discrimination is still a problem in Quebec?
RM: Like with any small society that is holding onto its roots and traditions, I feel that Quebec keeps a close eye on making sure that their core values, such as the French language, are not messed with. We have to remember that Quebec belongs to a big bad English Canada. It's possible to feel threatened isn't it? That being said, if we want to live there, we should simply learn the language. I don't think that's a very tough pill to swallow. It would be the same anywhere else in the world.
TB: Did you personally ever feel any discrimination in your won personal life similar to the discrimination your character experienced in the film?
RM: Yes many times. However, its important to understand that I also felt a lot of love and acceptance as well.
Photo Credit: Punjab2000.com
Photo Credit: YouTube.com
TB: How would you describe the message of this film?
RN: The message is simple. We all have misconceptions and pre-conceived prejudices about others. By communicating, we can create a bridge to understanding one another and ultimately see that although we have many similarities, "being different is quite alright."
TB: Can you describe the audience reception during the film festival screenings?
RN: Audiences were moved to say the least. Applause mixed with heavy emotions, tears and a sense of new understanding.
TB: And finally, is there anything else you would like people to know about Bonjour Ji?
RN: On behalf of the cast, crew, director and producer, I'd like to thank everyone who donated money to this project. Without their help it would've been very difficult for us to fund the project. Please share the message with everyone you know, just a little can make a big difference. I'd love your comments and suggestions anywhere on social media Facebook/instagram/twitter: @RupMagon
Main Image Photo Credit: Rup Magon
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Taras Babiak
Author
Taras is a freelance blogger, video editor and screenwriter. He is the co-writer of "Made In Bali," which recently won Best Short Film of the year from the Director's Guild of Canada.
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