Release Date: September 15, 2024

By Janet Grant

Amar Wala lovingly takes the audience on a TTC subway and Blue light ride so we can explore Scarborough’s vibrant and complex world in his latest film, Shook. The film is partly about Wala’s experiences after his Parkinson’s disease.

This dramedy marks Wala’s first step into fiction. Having previously honed his skills as a documentary filmmaker, Wala keeps a keen eye on daily life.

Shook is a heartfelt portrait of a community, capturing some formula and hidden gems that make Scarborough a unique place to live while delving into its complexities. The film stars (Saamer Usmani) as Ashish, an Indian-Canadian writer aspiring to live a bohemian lifestyle. Through the film, Ashish’s journey within the dynamics of privilege explores who can afford to be creative in a city as crowded, competitive, and expensive as Toronto—giving the audiences a chance to see familiar parts of the GTA.

Ashish’s creative spirit is nourished by his daily commute on the TTC to a hipster coffee shop in the city’s heart, where he finds solace. The extended travel interludes in Shook effectively convey the malaise of the commute, highlighting how living outside the city center shapes Ashish’s worldview.

The heart of the film lies in Ashish’s family dynamics and his budding relationship with Claire. His suspicions about her intentions and his struggle to forgive his father after their recent split, add layers of complexity, highlighting the universal struggles of familial relationships after a betrayal. Ashish’s journey fosters a sense of empathy and connection with the audience, who can relate to these struggles on a personal level.

Shook is a loving and nuanced exploration of community, identity, and the everyday experiences that shape us. It uniquely prompts the audience to reflect on their identity and the everyday experiences that have shaped them.

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