Browse Films

“Crossing Lines” is about an Indian American woman’s struggle to stay connected to India after the loss of her father.  Like most second-generation ethnic Americans, Indira Somani has struggled with identity issues, since her parents migrated to the U.S. in the 1960s.  Being born and brought up in the U.S. Indira led an American life, but at home, her world was Indian because of her father’s immense love for India and Indian culture.   This film takes you on a journey to India, where Indira visits her father’s extended family for the first time after his death.  The film explores how Indira tries to stay connected to Indian culture and her extended family, despite the loss of her father.  It is the story of how one daughter pays tribute to her father in all that he’s taught her about India, Indian culture and family. 

The story is told honestly, tenderly, and with humor. I laughed a little, cried a little watching Indira Somani cope with these contending forces. Crossing Lines offers sweet but powerful lessons to students of memory, gender, ethnicity, multiculturalism, and South Asian culture.
Linda Steiner, Ph.D., Critical Cultural Studies Scholar, University of Maryland, College Park

full review

Filling a deep chasm in the public record of immigrant experiences, Indian-American Indira Somani's honest yet tender and moving biographical portrait of her relationship with her father, a first-generation Indian immigrant to the United States, sketches a more universal story of the problems that Asian immigrants face in reconciling homelands with adopted lands.
Radhika Parameswaran, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Journalism Indiana University

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Watch this documentary and give your kid a hug. Especially if she is a girl.
Ashfaque Swapan, India-West

The film is very moving and intimate, and to any of us with an Indian family it makes a powerful connection.
Peter Bhatia, The Oregonian

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AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• Gracie Allen Award, Outstanding Documentary Short Format, American Women in Radio and Television, 2009

• Faculty Juried Screening Finalist, University Film and Video Association Conference, Louisiana 2009

• Heart of England International Film Festival, Best American Documentary, Tamworth, England 2009

• Mexico International Film Festival, Bronze Palm Winner-Shorts, 2009

• California Arts Association Digital Short Film Festival, Best Documentary Award, Cupertino, California 2009

  • Baltimore Women's Film Festival, Runner Up for Best Short Documentary, Baltimore, Maryland 2008