Identity Lost (and Found) in Translation
A first-generation Indian British managing director at a prestigious London bank loses his carefully cultivated British accent after a stroke. This premise sets the stage for "Where are you really from?," a dry comedy that probes the complexities of immigrant identity.
Director Keshav Shree, who also stars in the film, brings his personal experience as a first-generation immigrant to this nuanced exploration of cultural adaptation. Fresh from his success with "Happy Retirement Mr Pickering" (now streaming on Amazon Prime), Shree crafts a narrative that turns awkward cultural disconnects into moments of genuine insight and unexpected comedy.
Drawing inspiration from both Indian and British cinematic traditions, the film employs Ruben Östlund-influenced cinematography, featuring wide angles that create an almost documentary-like sense of realism. This approach allows the audience to sit with both the comedy and discomfort of each scene, particularly during moments when Shree's character navigates his suddenly unstable linguistic identity.
The film resonates with its attention to cultural detail, including a clever nod to Sean Paul's influence on millennial culture and the Indian diaspora. These moments of specificity ground the film's broader themes about the immigrant experience, particularly the challenge of maintaining cultural roots while code-switching to assimilate to the norms and customs of a new homeland.
"Where are you really from?" asks its thematic questions without expecting a simple answer. It offers a thoughtful meditation on the immigrant experience, exploring how identity can be both lost and found in the spaces between language. Currently making waves on the festival circuit, including an Official Selection at the Oscar-qualifying Tasveer Film Festival, it is a film that explores a truth about the immigrant experience with laughs while posing questions that offer insights into the complex process of cultural adaptation.