VIU screens award-winning film on gang violence Nov. 5

Criminology professor Joanne Simister is on a mission to make students and the public more aware about gang violence in BC.

“Gang violence is creating a lot of fear in society,” said Simister, Chair of the Criminology department at VIU. “We need to increase public awareness and dialogue about this important issue and what we can do about it.”

As part of VIU’s popular Worldbridger Film Series, Simister is bringing director/producer Mani Amar to the Nanaimo campus to screen his award-winning documentary, A Warrior’s Religion, on November 5. Amar’s film won Best Documentary at the Sikh International Film Festival in New York City earlier this year.

“A Warrior’s Religion is a poetic documentary on the epidemic issue of South Asian gang violence in the Greater Vancouver area,” explained Amar. “The story is told in the manner of an unbiased editorial, and features interviews with South Asian youth, media personalities, and prominent figures in the South Asian community, and uses historical references, news footage, crime statistics, and cross-cultural comparisons to round out the material.  

“Although strong references are made toward Sikhism, this documentary relates its issues to other cultures and communities in an effort to raise awareness about gang culture in general, and the problems facing the South Asian community itself.”

The screening will be followed by a discussion with Amar.

“Mani, who grew up in Port Alberni, has produced a remarkable film about a very important topic that affects all British Columbians,” added Simister. “I want my students and the general public to see it.”

A Warrior’s Religion will be shown at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, Building 356, Room 109, on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 pm. (doors open at 6:30 pm).

It is presented by the Worldbridger Film Series, VIU’s Criminology department and VIU’s Human Rights Office. Admission is by donation and VIU’s Criminology Students’ Association will be selling refreshments.

For more information, visit www.warriorsreligion.com or email joanne.simister@viu.ca. For interviews with the director/producer, Mani Amar, email mani@filmsoffire.com.