Faisal Lutchmedial - writer
Faisal Lutchmedial - writer
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culture, diversity, writing

My Racist Neighbour and the Barbarian Invasion

This was a note I wrote on Facebook before the Canadian national election in 2015. I am personally relieved that I was wrong about how the anti-muslim rhetoric would give the Conservative Party of Canada an edge, but the subject is as important as ever. Here is the link to the original posting: https://www.facebook.com/notes/faisal-lutchmedial/my-racist-neighbour-and-the-barbarian-invasion/10153674299869108
And below is a copy of the note.
—
My neighbour went to the police to inform on the Muslim woman who lives in our building, accusing her of hating Canadians, and that a relative of hers who worked in construction was potentially building a bomb. I am unsure about what he thinks about the headscarf she wears.
Yes, she is a hijab wearing Muslim student, and lives with her sister. My neighbour told me that she said something to the effect that she sometimes thought Canadians were stupid, which, let’s be honest, is a thought that goes through most Canadian’s heads from time to time. But my neighbour became deeply suspicious of these sisters, and the man who “they say” was a family member. Why did they come to this country if they thought Canadians were stupid? Who was this man? Why were they so secretive? Were they here to do no good? “Those Islamics”, he said, were invading his precious country and trying to change it into something unrecognizable.
All this would have been easier for him, and people like him, with the new handy “tip line” Conservative government is setting up. Now anyone can hate monger from the privacy of their own home.
I should say that my neighbour is an old bigot who is losing his grip on reality, which is why, after calming down, I concluded nothing would come of this. In all probability the police officer he talked to either ignored him or dropped it quickly after. But I must confess when he first told me what he had done, I lost it. He shuffled away on his walker as I yelled, in no uncertain terms, that people only come here to look for a better life, just like my family. I knew that it was very unlikely that the police would listen to this crazy old man, but it’s exactly this kind of thing that can get on somebody’s record and make life difficult for them. It can affect citizenship, it can affect job opportunities, and it can affect travel / visa approvals. With our country becoming more and more a police state with laws like C-51, a small blemish on your file can destroy your future.
I write fiction, and work in the film and television industry, so this is a subject I think about a lot. I often find myself internet searching things that could raise red flags if anyone was monitoring me. And since Edward Snowden tells us that “they” are monitoring everyone all of the time, I assume a lot of red flags have been raised next to my Muslim name over the years. Imagine trying to write an action script and every time you wanted to know more about guns, or explosives, you hesitated typing in the search because it might make someone think you are a terrorist. It sounds ridiculous but this is a worry I have every single time. I’ve actually taken pretty elaborate steps to keep myself as anonymous as possible on the net because of this. Though, even the fact that I’ve done things like use a VPN or insist on using DuckDuckGo instead of Google probably raised some of those red flags somewhere – if he doesn’t have anything to hide, why is he hiding?
A lot has already been written about how redundant the “tip line” is considering people have so many avenues to report crime. Targeting Muslims as potential “barbarians”, and then saying that it is their best interests you have at heart, is disingenuous to say the least. It’s obviously racist, and incites racism and racist violence.
The idea that this election is making an already bad situation worse makes me sick to the stomach. Like anyone of colour, I’ve felt racism in my life, but what I am seeing here in my own country is truly making me scared. It’s not that the police are going to round us all up and throw us in a camp – but that more and more incidents of violence will occur against the group the Prime Minister and my racist neighbour believe to be “barbarians”. The kids in Quebec that tried to pull of a hijab off a pregnant woman and knocked her down probably got their heads full of hate through these kind of politics, and then took it out on this poor person.
As a young man I was once cornered in a phone booth and two men kicked the hell out of me, yelling that I should “get the hell out of their country, you stupid fucking Paki.” I was sent to the hospital with many scrapes and bruises but it was more my psyche that was damaged that night. My parents raised me, like all immigrant families, to love the country that had adopted them. I do. But I realized then that despite being born in Canada, I would never be seen as Canadian to some. This is a horrible thing for a person to feel, especially when their sense of home and citizenship was already complicated by being a child of immigrants.
I wish I could tell that Quebec woman that the assault against her was an isolated incident. That there are lots and lots of wonderful people in Canada who don’t hate her for the clothes that she chooses to wear. But she’s apparently too afraid to leave her home now. This is exactly what happens when the self-righteous try to “save” people from themselves. And besides, I don’t believe this was an isolated incident. It’s a thing that is going to happen more and more if we don’t put a stop to it.
I feel like someone has invaded my country and is making it unrecognizable, and that person is the Prime Minister. He famously said that “You won’t recognize Canada when I get through with it” and I think he’s delivering on the promise. We’ve all seen the memes of black and white babies holding hands that declare racism is learned – well, the Conservatives are serving up a masterclass right now. It’s a disgusting display of pandering to the lowest common denominator to win an election, and it looks like it is working.
November 15, 2015by admin

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greendragonproductions

Media production company focusing on diverse and empowering stories. Latest release is "Beneath Us" directed by Faisal Lutchmedial.

Watch and vote for The Seas Between Us on CBC TV a Watch and vote for The Seas Between Us on CBC TV and CBC Gem! Our short film will be featured as one of nine chosen to compete in the Short Film Face Off this August and September! It's the 2nd appearance for director Faisal Lutchmedial who participated in the 5th edition with his other Trini flavoured short "Mr. Crab" in 2012. Ruma - Sanjana Morang @kevin_morang 
Preeti - @thatbrownactress Kavita Musty
Anand - @jojoestar12 Joel Joseph
Vas - @sanjivboodhu Sanjiv Boodhu
Latika - @pattianneali_sugarhouse Patti-Anne Ali
Nani - Sumatee ‘Drupati’ Maharaj
Cooking Auntie - @bahadoorlutchmedial Angenie Bahadoor Lutchmedial
Guest at Party -  @mlutchmedial1956 Mishri Lutchmedial
Raj - Dandre Blake
Shami - Vivekanand Singh
Taxi Driver - Andy Jones
Annoying Mother - Kavita Bhaggan
Annoyed Daughter - Aria Bhaggan

Crew

Writer, Director - @faisallutchmedial Faisal Lutchmedial
Producer - @alexismariech Alexis-Marie Chin
Executive Producer - Faisal Lutchmedial
Director of Photography - @olliethemilne Oliver Milne
Production Designer - @lori.antoinette_ Lori Antoinette 
1st Assist Director - @sophiewalcott_from_trinidad Sophie Walcott
Art Director - @just_berv Gervais Aleong
Set Builder - Daren Gittens
Set Dresser - Christian Boodoo
1st Assistant Camera - @the_rye_o Ryan Lee
DIT - @jian_hennings_trinidad Jian Hennings
Key Grip - Nkosi Myers
Gaffer - @dylan_q Dylan Quesnel
Sound Recordist - @jelaniserrette Jelani Serrette
Costume Designer - @safiaaliofficial Safia Ali
Key Hair & Makeup Artist - @royaumerustique Letitia Mike
Production Assistant - @jevonwason Jevon Wason
Transport - Timmy Mora
Casting in assoc. with The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network
Gear Rentals - @affordableimportstt Affordable Imports TT, AKS Rentals 
Catering - Auntie Cathy’s Catering

Post Production

Editor - Faisal Lutchmedial
Sound Designer - @emorymurchison Emory Murchison 
Colourist - Oliver Milne
Music by - @vizavaz Amritha Vaz
Additional Music - Portrait of Trinidad by the Mighty Sniper, 1965
Final Sound Mix recorded at - Formosa
Funding Support: @ontarioartscouncil @torontoartscouncil
Thanks @discoverfilmtt
The Seas Between Us won the Tongues on Fire, Flame The Seas Between Us won the Tongues on Fire, Flame Award 2025 Best Short Film at the UK Asian Film Festival! Many thanks to the festival and our incredibly talented cast and crew. UKAFF is one of the longest running and considered one of the most important South Asian festivals outside of India so we are so thrilled that our film was selected in such a strong group of shorts this year. @ukasianfilmfest @faisallutchmedial
Screening at the UK Asian Film Festival soon - May Screening at the UK Asian Film Festival soon - May 10th at 7pm at the Regent Cinema in London, UK. Tickets: https://www.regentstreetcinema.com/movie/short-films---uk-asian-film-festival/
Nova Scotia! Your chance to see The Seas Between U Nova Scotia! Your chance to see The Seas Between Us is almost here. We are very happy to be invited to virtually screen at the @theemerginglenshalifax this year, and they will be posting a screening link that will be available province wide for a limited time. Check back for details on how to watch!
Ruma - Sanjana Morang @kevin_morang 
Preeti - @thatbrownactress Kavita Musty
Anand - @jojoestar12 Joel Joseph
Vas - @sanjivboodhu Sanjiv Boodhu
Latika - @pattianneali_sugarhouse Patti-Anne Ali
Nani - Sumatee ‘Drupati’ Maharaj
Cooking Auntie - @bahadoorlutchmedial Angenie Bahadoor Lutchmedial
Guest at Party -  @mlutchmedial1956 Mishri Lutchmedial
Raj - Dandre Blake
Shami - Vivekanand Singh
Taxi Driver - Andy Jones
Annoying Mother - Kavita Bhaggan
Annoyed Daughter - Aria Bhaggan

Crew

Writer, Director - @faisallutchmedial Faisal Lutchmedial
Producer - @alexismariech Alexis-Marie Chin
Executive Producer - Faisal Lutchmedial
Director of Photography - @olliethemilne Oliver Milne
Production Designer - @lori.antoinette_ Lori Antoinette 
1st Assist Director - @sophiewalcott_from_trinidad Sophie Walcott
Art Director - @just_berv Gervais Aleong
Set Builder - Daren Gittens
Set Dresser - Christian Boodoo
1st Assistant Camera - @the_rye_o Ryan Lee
DIT - @jian_hennings_trinidad Jian Hennings
Key Grip - Nkosi Myers
Gaffer - @dylan_q Dylan Quesnel
Sound Recordist - @jelaniserrette Jelani Serrette
Costume Designer - @safiaaliofficial Safia Ali
Key Hair & Makeup Artist - @royaumerustique Letitia Mike
Production Assistant - @jevonwason Jevon Wason
Transport - Timmy Mora
Casting in assoc. with The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network
Gear Rentals - @affordableimportstt Affordable Imports TT, AKS Rentals 
Catering - Auntie Cathy’s Catering

Post Production

Editor - Faisal Lutchmedial
Sound Designer - @emorymurchison Emory Murchison 
Colourist - Oliver Milne
Music by - @vizavaz Amritha Vaz
Additional Music - Portrait of Trinidad by the Mighty Sniper, 1965
Final Sound Mix recorded at - Formosa
Funding Support: @ontarioartscouncil @torontoartscouncil
Thanks @discoverfilmtt
Canada - You'll be able to watch The Seas Between Canada - You'll be able to watch The Seas Between Us online at the beginning of May! The South Asian Film Festival of Montreal's short film component is online this year and they'll be hosting the film nationally for a little over a week. More details to come. @saffmontreal @saffmtl #shortfilm #caribbeanlife #trinidad 
Ruma - Sanjana Morang @kevin_morang 
Preeti - @thatbrownactress Kavita Musty
Anand - @jojoestar12 Joel Joseph
Vas - @sanjivboodhu Sanjiv Boodhu
Latika - @pattianneali_sugarhouse Patti-Anne Ali
Nani - Sumatee ‘Drupati’ Maharaj
Cooking Auntie - @bahadoorlutchmedial Angenie Bahadoor Lutchmedial
Guest at Party -  @mlutchmedial1956 Mishri Lutchmedial
Raj - Dandre Blake
Shami - Vivekanand Singh
Taxi Driver - Andy Jones
Annoying Mother - Kavita Bhaggan
Annoyed Daughter - Aria Bhaggan

Crew

Writer, Director - @faisallutchmedial Faisal Lutchmedial
Producer - @alexismariech Alexis-Marie Chin
Executive Producer - Faisal Lutchmedial
Director of Photography - @olliethemilne Oliver Milne
Production Designer - @lori.antoinette_ Lori Antoinette 
1st Assist Director - @sophiewalcott_from_trinidad Sophie Walcott
Art Director - @just_berv Gervais Aleong
Set Builder - Daren Gittens
Set Dresser - Christian Boodoo
1st Assistant Camera - @the_rye_o Ryan Lee
DIT - @jian_hennings_trinidad Jian Hennings
Key Grip - Nkosi Myers
Gaffer - @dylan_q Dylan Quesnel
Sound Recordist - @jelaniserrette Jelani Serrette
Costume Designer - @safiaaliofficial Safia Ali
Key Hair & Makeup Artist - @royaumerustique Letitia Mike
Production Assistant - @jevonwason Jevon Wason
Transport - Timmy Mora
Casting in assoc. with The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network
Gear Rentals - @affordableimportstt Affordable Imports TT, AKS Rentals 
Catering - Auntie Cathy’s Catering

Post Production

Editor - Faisal Lutchmedial
Sound Designer - @emorymurchison Emory Murchison 
Colourist - Oliver Milne
Music by - @vizavaz Amritha Vaz
Additional Music - Portrait of Trinidad by the Mighty Sniper, 1965
Final Sound Mix recorded at - Formosa
Funding Support: @ontarioartscouncil @torontoartscouncil
Thanks @discoverfilmtt
We're so happy to share that The Seas Between Us w We're so happy to share that The Seas Between Us will be screening at the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival (Chicago - Elk Grove Village)! Our previous short Beneath Us played here a few years ago so we're really honoured to be asked to present again. Festival passes are on sale now and individual tickets will be available tomorrow, March 17th. 
Ruma - Sanjana Morang @kevin_morang 
Preeti - @thatbrownactress Kavita Musty
Anand - @jojoestar12 Joel Joseph
Vas - @sanjivboodhu Sanjiv Boodhu
Latika - @pattianneali_sugarhouse Patti-Anne Ali
Nani - Sumatee ‘Drupati’ Maharaj
Cooking Auntie - @bahadoorlutchmedial Angenie Bahadoor Lutchmedial
Guest at Party -  @mlutchmedial1956 Mishri Lutchmedial
Raj - Dandre Blake
Shami - Vivekanand Singh
Taxi Driver - Andy Jones
Annoying Mother - Kavita Bhaggan
Annoyed Daughter - Aria Bhaggan

Crew

Writer, Director - @faisallutchmedial Faisal Lutchmedial
Producer - @alexismariech Alexis-Marie Chin
Executive Producer - Faisal Lutchmedial
Director of Photography - @olliethemilne Oliver Milne
Production Designer - @lori.antoinette_ Lori Antoinette 
1st Assistant Director - @sophiewalcott_from_trinidad Sophie Walcott
Art Director - @just_berv Gervais Aleong
Set Builder - Daren Gittens
Set Dresser - Christian Boodoo
1st Assistant Camera - @the_rye_o Ryan Lee
Digital Imaging Technician - @jian_hennings_trinidad Jian Hennings
Key Grip - Nkosi Myers
Gaffer - @dylan_q Dylan Quesnel
Sound Recordist - @jelaniserrette Jelani Serrette
Costume Designer - @safiaaliofficial Safia Ali
Key Hair and Makeup Artist - @royaumerustique Letitia Mike
Production Assistant - @jevonwason Jevon Wason
Transportation - Timmy Mora
Casting in association with The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network
Gear Rentals - @affordableimportstt Affordable Imports TT, AKS Rentals 
Catering - Auntie Cathy’s Catering

Post Production

Editor - Faisal Lutchmedial
Sound Designer - Emory Murchison @emorymurchison 
Colourist - Oliver Milne
Music by - @vizavaz Amritha Vaz
Additional Music - Portrait of Trinidad by the Mighty Sniper, 1965
Final Sound Mix recorded at - Formosa Funding Support: @ontarioartscouncil @torontoartscouncil
Thrilled to announce that our short film “The Se Thrilled to announce that our short film “The Seas Between Us” will be having its world premiere at the @mspfilmsociety 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival! Join us at @themaincinema April 2 - 13 for #MSPIFF44! Details on the screening date and time to come next week. #MSPIFF #MSPIFF44 #MSPFilm #TheMainCinema #MoviesAtTheMain #shortfilm #trinidad

Ruma - Sanjana Morang @kevin_morang 
Preeti - @thatbrownactress Kavita Musty
Anand - @jojoestar12 Joel Joseph
Vas - @sanjivboodhu Sanjiv Boodhu
Latika - @pattianneali_sugarhouse Patti-Anne Ali
Nani - Sumatee ‘Drupati’ Maharaj
Cooking Auntie - @bahadoorlutchmedial Angenie Bahadoor Lutchmedial
Guest at Party -  @mlutchmedial1956 Mishri Lutchmedial
Raj - Dandre Blake
Shami - Vivekanand Singh
Taxi Driver - Andy Jones
Annoying Mother - Kavita Bhaggan
Annoyed Daughter - Aria Bhaggan

Crew

Writer, Director - @faisallutchmedial Faisal Lutchmedial
Producer - @alexismariech Alexis-Marie Chin
Executive Producer - Faisal Lutchmedial
Director of Photography - @olliethemilne Oliver Milne
Production Designer - @lori.antoinette_ Lori Antoinette 
1st Assistant Director - @sophiewalcott_from_trinidad Sophie Walcott
Art Director - @just_berv Gervais Aleong
Set Builder - Daren Gittens
Set Dresser - Christian Boodoo
1st Assistant Camera - @the_rye_o Ryan Lee
DIT - @jian_hennings_trinidad Jian Hennings
Key Grip - Nkosi Myers
Gaffer - @dylan_q Dylan Quesnel
Sound Recordist - @jelaniserrette Jelani Serrette
Costume Designer - @safiaaliofficial Safia Ali
Key Hair and Makeup Artist - @royaumerustique Letitia Mike
Production Assistant - @jevonwason Jevon Wason
Transportation - Timmy Mora
Casting in assoc. with The Trinidad and Tobago Performing Arts Network
Gear Rentals - @affordableimportstt Affordable Imports TT, AKS Rentals 
Catering - Auntie Cathy’s Catering

Post

Editor - Faisal Lutchmedial
Sound Designer - @emorymurchison Emory Murchison 
Colourist - Oliver Milne
Music by - @vizavaz Amritha Vaz
Additional Music - Portrait of Trinidad by the Mighty Sniper, 1965
Final Sound Mix recorded at - Formosa
Funding Support: @ontarioartscouncil @torontoartscouncil
Thanks @discoverfilmtt
Excited to present the trailer to our new short fi Excited to present the trailer to our new short film, The Seas Between Us! In the mid 1960s a young girl who has never seen anything but rural Trinidad has her eyes opened to the world when her adventurous Auntie from India comes to visit.
Director Faisal Lutchmedial and producer Alexis-Ma Director Faisal Lutchmedial and producer Alexis-Marie Chin discussing their next project together “Through the Eyes of an Ibis”, a Green Dragon Productions film.
Watch the short film Beneath Us! https://youtu.be/ Watch the short film Beneath Us! https://youtu.be/u9wxdkjRgyc
Watch the online premiere of Beneath Us! An undocu Watch the online premiere of Beneath Us! An undocumented mother and her child hide from ICE when the factory she is working at is raided.

Comment and share 👍🏾❤️
We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council, an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Cast

Rosa Pantoja: Renee Martinez
Mira: Anna Rak @anna.rak.artist 
Bosko: Robert Keller @therobkeller 
Richie: Paco Mufote
Carla Pantoja: Cristina Anaya Dominguez
Sam the Storage Attendant: Samuel Manley 
Agent Collins: Thomas Potter @six_two_foxtrot_productions 
Isabel: Patricia Alcay 
Carla’s Father: Sajid Rivera
Writer / Director: Faisal Lutchmedial @faisallutchmedial 
Producer: Marla Arreola
Executive Producers: Sohrab Lutchmedial, Deanna Bartuccio, Tamara Scherbak, Faisal Lutchmedial
Director of Photography: Gabi Kislat
Production Designer: Bernardo Covarrubias
Location Sound & Sound Editor: Emory Murchison
Editor: Tamara Scherbak @miksang 
Art Director: Celina Zonta @celinazonta 
Makeup Artist: Ariel “Tacho” León @makeupbytacho 
Wardrobe Dresser: Andrea Falcón @andreita_domingucci 
Casting Director Tijuana: Adolfo Madera @adolfomaderactor 
Music: Tristan Alantar @tristanalantar
Beneath Us will be having its Canadian premiere at Beneath Us will be having its Canadian premiere at the 10th annual MOSAIC INTERNATIONAL SOUTH ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL @mosaic_misaff in Mississauga at the Cineplex at Sunday March 26th at 3:30pm. It is part of the Canadian Shorts Program and is being presented with @bipoctvfilm .
Beneath Us was selected as a semi-finalist at the Beneath Us was selected as a semi-finalist at the upcoming Venezia Shorts @ShortsVenezia festival! Congrats to the team for all their hard work. An online event will take place during January 6th to January 9th, 2023, details to come.
#BeneathUs estrena en Tijuana en el @baja_festival #BeneathUs estrena en Tijuana en el @baja_festival 🎞🎥

Sábado 03 de diciembre
Sala Carlos Monsiváis Cineteca Tijuana (Cecut)
Entrada Libre
¡Emocionados de compartirles que #BeneathUs tiene ¡Emocionados de compartirles que #BeneathUs tiene su estreno Tijuanense este sábado 03 de diciembre en Cineteca Tijuana! Durante el marco de @baja_festival BCIFF ⚡️🎥🎞

Sala Carlos Monsiváis 
Entrada Libre

Excited to share our Tijuana Premiere! At BCIFF this Saturday, December 03 at Cecut.
¡Emocionados de compartirles que estrenamos #Bene ¡Emocionados de compartirles que estrenamos #BeneathUs en Baja California, donde filmamos! Como parte de la Selección Oficial en el @baja_festival en diciembre, pronto les compartimos horarios y sedes. 

Excited to share the news that Beneath Us is premiering at Baja California where it was shot, as Official Selection for @baja_festival ! Soon we’ll share details about schedule and venues. 
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#film #filmmaker #shortfilm #cortometraje #cine #producer #filmproducer #filmproduction #cinema #migration #inmigration
Juan Francisco González Aquilar (Paco Mufote) as Juan Francisco González Aquilar (Paco Mufote) as Richie in Beneath Us.
Paco Mufote grabbing a coffee between scenes. Paco Mufote grabbing a coffee between scenes.
Very excited to announce that our short film Benea Very excited to announce that our short film Beneath Us will be having its world premiere in competition at the Blue Whiskey Independent Film Festival in Chicago. More info: https://www.facebook.com/BeneathUsMovie
Behind the scenes: Renée Martinez (playing Rosa t Behind the scenes: Renée Martinez (playing Rosa the desperate mother in Beneath Us) and some extra cast learning some sewing techniques on set. Producer Marla Arreola looking on. Some of our extras worked as garment workers in the past but many had to pick up what they could before the shoot!
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