The Arts Station

Amal (Canada - subtitled)

There are many fables about the virtues of poverty—or at least about the moral pitfalls of wealth. Amal draws on these familiar elements but manages to turn our expectations upside down every time it matters most.

Autorickshaw driver Amal is content with the small but vital role he serves—driving customers around New Delhi as quickly and safely as possible. But his sense of duty is tested by an eccentric, aging billionaire, who, moved by Amal’s humility, bequeaths him his entire estate before passing away. With only one month to discover and claim the inheritance, Amal’s struggles with duty and wealth are threatened by all those around him—from a young injured beggar girl and a lovely store merchant, to the danger of the old man’s upper-caste friends and siblings, all seeking to claim their share of the riches.

Canadian writer-director Richie Mehta, working from a short story by his brother Shaun (no relation to the more famous Canadian director Deepa Mehta), fashions this winning tale of a good man—the unambitious auto-rickshaw driver of the title (quietly charismatic Rupinder Nagra), who is content to bring some small order to the many people he navigates down the crazy streets of New Delhi.

“Based on the story by Canadian Shaun Mehta and directed by his brother Richie, Amal had its premiere at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival and was a worthy recipient of considerable TIFF buzz. It’s beautifully paced, lovingly shot and makes its points about high and low-caste conflicts and values in a gentle voice.” - Linda Barnard, The Star

User Reviews:

“The world needs more people like Amal - The film touched me deeply - It deserves an oscar!”

“Absolutely wonderful!!! The best movie I’ve seen this year by far. Beautiful, moving, and uplifting. 5 stars!”

Tickets at the Door. FDAC Member: $9/adult; $8/youth. Non-member: $10/adult; $9/youth.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Rio Tinto; Vogue Theatre; City of Fernie; BC Arts Council

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