User reviews

Holly Bolly is a fresh short film that keeps the audience entertained and leaves them wanting more.

Having seen many similar projects in the genre of South Asian crossover, I found this to be one of the best short films of the year - and something that I can keep watching many times over.

Director Dishad Husain combines commentary on racial stereotypes, the entertainment industry, mob/action movies, and - of course - a Bollywood style music number all in one cohesive 12 minute story.

Storytelling that combines so many factors is difficult to do, but as this film demonstrates, very entertaining when done right.

An extremely enjoyable short film. It's excellent visual narrative and great script make this probably one of the best shorts i've seen this year. Dishad combines many different styles and genres of film-making seamlessly whilst putting the audience's tongue firmly in its cheek. It's story of how two film-makers are forced to make a Bollywood gangster film set in the east end of London, will surely ring true for any aspiring artist who's ever had an dream crushed by someone who doesn't share their vision. (And if anyone can crush someone's dream its the rather large producer character known as big Al.) Technically it's a brilliant piece of cinema and the director's assured eye and his ability to gain fantastic comedy performances from all of his cast, make him one to watch in the future. I can't recommend this highly enough.

I curate short South Asian films for different organizations and festivals in San Francisco bay area, including the San Francisco International South Asian Film Festival, the National Asian American Telecommunications festival and Artist Television Access screenings; and I found Holly Bolly to be one of the best films I've seen lately. The film's hilarious and entertaining, politically smart and very self aware. The audiences here loved it. It's a total gem! The film was playfully self reflexive and dealt with stereotypes and caricatures of both whites and South Asians in a very constructive and inclusive manner. I gave Holly Bolly a 10 out of 10!