A Punjabi-American truck driver, struggling with the birth of his first child, finds an undocumented Mexican girl hiding in the trailer. Land of Gold addresses difficult themes with an emotional and artistic approach. The winner of the Tribeca Film Festival’s 2021 Untold Stories grand prize takes an unvarnished view of the immigrant experience in America. Racism and the threat of persecution is a constant fear for those desperate to make a living for their families. But that concern doesn’t outweigh the boundless opportunities. Land of Gold is a touching film that haunts in the wake of a melancholic finale.
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Kiran (Nardeep Khurmi), a first-generation California Sikh, sits annoyed at his wife’s baby shower. A heavily pregnant Preeti (Pallavi Sastry) is also perturbed. Her mother-in-law, Raveena (Riti Sachdeva), has invited too many people to the party. Kiran can’t handle the pressure of becoming a father and his mother’s intrusiveness. He goes outside to smoke a cigarette and deliver bad news. He’s accepted a job driving cargo to Boston. Preeti can’t believe he would leave with the baby due. Kiran promises to be back soon. They need the money.
Kiran remembers taking ownership of Singh Shipping. He has troubling flashbacks as a boy (Eshan Inamdar) with his alcoholic father. Gurinder (Iqbal Theba) cut both of their hair and stopped wearing a turban, much to his wife’s chagrin. He was tired of the public animosity and being branded a terrorist. The family finds “Osama” painted on their car. The responding police reinforce his father’s worries. They are outsiders viewed with suspicion and contempt.
A Ride to Boston
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A knocking sound is heard from the back of the truck in Arizona. Kiran’s aghast when 10-year-old Elena (Caroline Valencia) comes barreling out. She maces him before collapsing from heat exhaustion. Kiran gives her water while washing out his burning eyes. Elena has a photo of her uncle. She needs a ride to Boston.
Khurmi, who writes, directs, and stars in his feature debut, smartly tackles the glaring question of the film’s premise. Why would an adult man take responsibility for an undocumented girl who isn’t a relative? The vexing answer is unfortunate. Kiran doesn’t trust law enforcement. He’s only had negative experiences. Kiran tells Preeti and his mother how he found the girl. They speak with Elena and have a clear understanding of the situation. A judgment is made that it’s the right decision to help her.
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Kiran and Elena’s road trip explores American beauty from a Punjabi perspective. They stop at Indian restaurants and Sikh temples near truck stops. Kiran represents a working class minority rarely depicted in film. Elena goes from a nagging nuisance to a thoughtful friend. She understands that he’s crumbling from burden. Kiran sacrificed his dreams to help his family succeed. He respects what his father went through, but is terrified of becoming him.
Protecting an Undocumented Child
Elena’s backstory is revealed when they arrive in Boston. Her problems strike at the heart of an issue dividing the country. She’s an undocumented child who’s grown up in America. Kiran sees what his daughter can be in her. He resolves to protect Elena, but that’s not easily done.
Land of Gold tugs your heartstrings with sentimental sweetness. Kiran and Elena bonding is never in doubt. She’s proof that Kiran is indeed good father material. But Elena’s fate isn’t a fairy tale with a happy ending. The last scene lingers with hope and trepidation.
Land of Gold is produced by Black Poppy Productions, Legacy Pictures, and Team Access Productions. It will have a May 15th streaming premiere on HBO Max.
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