Strong Son Northern Lights

Harvey (Mandeep Sodhi) is a bodybuilder struggling to hold himself together after moving back home to look after his elderly father (Amrit Parbhakar). Compelled by his father’s mantra — “My son is very strong” — from a young age, Harvey has developed an impressive, hardened exterior. Still, cracks begin to show as the pressure of caregiving sends him crumbling into frequent crying fits and panic attacks. Confident in his body but broken on the inside, Harvey must learn that sometimes strength means asking for help.

Ian Bawa’s feature debut is a continuation of the series of short films that examined his relationship with his father, and Parbhakar brings depth as the strong-willed and stubborn patriarch who spends his days replaying pro wrestling videos and watching his son exercise. Strong Son is an affecting story about filial duty, masculinity and the emotional gaps that can exist between first-generation immigrant parents and their children.

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