Interview on Location in British
Columbia
Naseem is a Muslim girl from Delhi. At the time of partition she is a refugee trying to get to Pakistan with her family. They are in a refugee camp when Sikh soldiers start to massacre the entire group of refugees. I don’t think a lot of people know about partition; I hope that people can see how our religions seem to be separating us. When really in the end, all of our religions, in my opinion, basically say that we should love one another. And I feel like we can do that.
I read the script about two years ago; it is the best script I ever read. It’s a story that I think is really important and relevant especially today in the world. Naseem has this quiet strength about her; the choice she makes is not to convert and change herself so that she fits in and can survive, she chooses to live as herself and she does it proudly. And I think that’s so great.
It’s pretty incredible the whole thing: spending time learning about Muslim and Pakistani women and hearing stories from girls about their parents going through partition and learning about the religion. We’ve got so many misconceptions about what Islam is, so I think that it’s been this really great journey and challenge for me to be able to do this.
I’m keeping my mind really open and I think that going to India will add that layer of depth and honesty to this film. I’ve never been to India but coming out here, as much as my imagination can take hold, I still feel like I am in Ashcroft/Cache Creek, British Columbia in the interior with grasshoppers hopping around!
Since I started acting all I’ve ever wanted to do is play great roles and challenge myself and become a great actor. This script has my voice in it too. And I think that’s why a lot of people are here – it says something that’s important to each of them. I think that in Partition people of completely different backgrounds, completely different ages, loving each other across all of these boundaries, caring for each other, makes this a beautiful love story.
I’m really glad it’s a Canadian film, that we’re doing it and that we’re out here and going to say what we’re going to say. And I hope that people get the chance to see it. And I hope it turns out well…put it out there, wait and see.
Kristin Kreuk
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