For Ashish (Saamer Usmani), everything is complicated: he’s finished his MFA, but he’s stuck in a creative block; he’s completed a novella, but publishers keep turning it down; he’s estranged from his father, but is obligated to care for him after a grave diagnosis; he’s just met a nice girl, but she’s leaving town in three weeks. Shook follows Ash through these travails, offering a relatable portrait of life in transition as well as a loving depiction of Scarborough, Ontario.
Amar Wala’s film has the feel of lived experience—there’s an authenticity that comes through in the depictions of Ash’s urban surroundings, and there are no false assurances offered. Wala also elicits some fine performances: besides the charismatic Usmani, there are winning turns by Pamela Sinha as Ash’s strong-willed mother, Bernard White as his irreverent father, and Amy Forsyth as his partner in a romance that may be transitory but is genuine nonetheless.
Sept 30: Q&A with director Amar Wala
Presented by
Supported by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Saamer Usmani, Amy Forsyth, Bernard White, Pamela Sinha, Shomari Downer, Faizan Khan
Canada
2024
In English and Hindi with English subtitles
At International Village
At Fifth Avenue
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits & Director
Executive Producer
Travis Farncombe, Omar Chalabi, Adrian Love
Producer
Karen Harnisch, Amar Wala
Screenwriter
Amar Wala, Adnan Khan
Cinematography
Peter Hadfield
Editor
Shaun Rykiss
Production Design
Nicole Simmons
Original Music
Kalaisan Kalaichelvan
Amar Wala
Amar Wala is a writer, director, and producer who was born in Mumbai and now lives in Toronto. His many credits include the award-winning documentary The Secret Trial 5 (2014) and the TV series In the Making (2018) and Next Stop (2019-2021). Shook is his dramatic feature debut.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Amadou & Mariam: The Blind Couple From Mali
This lovely portrait of the irresistible Malian musicians traces how the blind couple met in Bamako and instantly connected, their triumphs on the world stage and collaborations with the likes of Chris Martin, Damon Albarn and Manu Chao.
Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World
Sasha Waters' documentary takes us through the life of America's best-selling late twentieth century poet, a private woman who shared her innermost thoughts and made them indispensable.
Before Sunrise
An American backpacker (Ethan Hawke) meets a French girl (Julie Delpy) on the train to Vienna. They decide to spend the next 14 hours together until it's time for his flight. They walk and talk. This brief encounter will mark the rest of their lives.
Mistura
This foodie film from Peru tells the story of a newly single socialite reinventing herself — and the local cuisine — after her husband has left her for a younger woman. Along the way, she finds support from unexpected places...


