You may have been enchanted by Agam Darshi as Aunt Radha in Funny Boy, regardless of what you thought about the overall film. Turns out Darshi is a writer/director who had previously done short films. Donkeyhead marks her debut as a feature film writer/director.
Darhsi gives herself the lead character, Mona, a fledgling writer of promise who hasn't been able to pull off the focused energy of finishing writing projects.
Mona is one of 4 siblings, the only one in Regina taking care of their father, who has cancer. When her father slips into a coma, her other 3 siblings return from far away places: Parm (Stephen Lobo), Sandy (Sandy Sidhu, Nurses), and Rup (Husein Madhavji).
They are very successful professionally as a contrast to Mona, struggling in almost every way except for taking care of their father. The return of the siblings put them back in family conflicts and struggles. They also deal with older relatives doing what they feel is needed for the health of their relative.
As the movie progresses, we see the layers of their lives being peeled back.
Kim Coates, also an executive producer on the film, is the token white person as their father's lawyer and Mona's coupine.
Mona is a bit over the top but as the film progresses, we see the other siblings have their own issues. Parm, the twin of Mona, has the most to lose in his secret. Darshi does a splendid job at making the siblings realistic and the chemistry feels real in sibling tensions. Too often, these characters would be poorly drawn and developed. Donkeyhead deals a lot with family dynamics among extended family as well.
Darshi told Tom Power on Q that she thinks of Donkeyhead as a "love letter to Canada."
Agam Darshi on Q with Tom Power (CBC Radio One)
Funny Boy disqualified as Canada entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars
The film was shot in winter in Regina, showing Canada and the world that the country is a cold place for most of the year.
Donkeyhead is worth the watch, whether you have a lot of siblings or are an only child.
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Ava DuVernay’s distribution company Array picked up the film.
Donkeyhead is currently showing on Netflix in the United States and in select theatres in Canada.
video credit: YouTube/Array
photo credit: Donkeyhead film
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