Zero Bridge

(USA, 2008, 96 mins)

HDCAM - NTSC

Executive Producers: Tyler Brodie, Hunter Gray, Paul Mezey, Calvin Preece, Ed Branstetter
Producers: Hilal Ahmed Langoo, Josee Lajoie, Tariq Tapa
Screenwriter: Tariq Tapa
Cinematographer: Tariq Tapa
Editors: Josee Lajoie, Tariq Tapa
Cast: Mohamad Emran Tapa, Ali Luhammed Dar, Taniya Khan
Music: Niyaz Ah. Patloo, Abdul Hamid, Majid Ah. Malik, Zahoor Ahmad, Danish Ali-Rather, Shervin Motaharian

• Trailer

Restless teen Dilawar wants to escape his oppressive uncle Ali so badly that he steals passports and sells homework to old schoolmates to raise the necessary cash. When he meets Bani, one of his recent victims, by chance, however, he discovers that her own dreams of escape vanished with her passport. As he and Bani become closer, Dilawar’s plans start to unravel despite their shared determination to find a way out.

Intent on crafting a view of contemporary occupied Kashmir that goes beyond Bollywood exoticism, Kashmiri-American filmmaker Tariq Tapa looked to Italian neorealism as inspiration for his debut feature. Casting non-professional actors, including his cousin as Dilawar and an illiterate carpenter as Uncle Ali, and serving as his own DV cameraman, Tapa captures the harsh texture of life in a war zone with palpable authenticity, down to the moments of humor and emotional connection necessary for survival. Dilawar and Bani’s desire to flee may seem untenable. Tapa and his actors, though, convey such formidable strength that it’s impossible not to root for them throughout this gritty and moving story.

Sponsored By:

Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA)

For ticketing information please phone 1-866-345-6337 or email boxoffice@filmindependent.org