JASMINE ROAD

JASMINE ROAD – Canada, 2020, 132 min., Drama

Director: Warren Sulatycky
Writer: Warren Sulatycky
Cast: Caitlyn Sponheimer, Ryan Northcott, Ivan Cermak, Nimet Kanji, Aixa Kay

In the rural western Canadian cowboy town of Red River, Mac Bagley (a recently widowed rancher in his sixties) opens his home to a fractured Syrian refugee family. Withstanding some opposition in the conservative town, Layla (a journalist and booza-maker – Arabic ice cream – from Aleppo), her young daughter Heba and Salem (Layla’s adult gay brother) struggle to gain new footing in this new land. Mac finds himself in similar circumstances as he seeks for meaning and hope after the loss of his wife. While waiting for news of her missing husband, Layla introduces Mac to her Muslim culture. She proposes they partner in opening a booza ice cream shop to help them both move forward. The venture may just hold the promise for a new future.

Awards and nominations:
Edmonton International Film Festival 2020 – Winner Canadian Feature Award Best Canadian Feature – Warren Sulatycky, Caitlyn Sponheimer, Allen Sulatycky, Raging River Pictures
International Filmmaker Festival of New York (IFFNY) 2021 – Nominee Best Actor Award, Best Actress Award – Aixa Kay
Okotoks Film Festival 2021 – Nominee Okotoks Film Festival, Award Best Performance – Aixa Kay