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The film Chasing Windmills is in development. It is set in the Himalayas in India.

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The film GM Inc is in development. It is set in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Independent film The Journey, directed and produced by Harish Saluja stars Roshan Seth, Saeed Jaffrey (both were in Gandhi) and Carrie Preston (My Best Friend’s Wedding).

The film (a comedy/drama) was shown in various Film Festivals around the world. It won the Audience Award for Best Film at the Florida Film Festival and the Best Independent Film award at the Cleveland Film Festival.

A family-oriented film, The Journey received excellent reviews. In Variety, Emanuel Levy wrote: “technically accomplished directorial debut from Harish Saluja. This nicely executed cross-cultural, cross-generational seriocomedy deserves to be seen on the big screen, particularly in cities with Indian (and other immigrant) communities.”

“Reminiscent of Ang Lee’s debut Pushing Hands. Touching, life-affirming tale.” -Mill Valley Film Festival, K. Wolff

The Journey has been on BskyB in UK, on Bravo channel in South America. It had a theatrical run in most major cities in India.

Click here to purchase The Journey DVD and/or soundtrack.

Cast

Roshan Seth

Roshan (Kishan Singh) has had an illustrious career in theater, film and television. Selected film credits: Mississippi Masala, My Beautiful Launderette, A Passage to India, London Kills Me, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Gandhi, Street Fighter, Stalin, Electric Moon, Bideshi, Not Without My Daughter, Mountains of the Moon, First Burn, Little Dorrit, Deadline, Partition, The Happy Valley.

Saeed Jaffrey

Saeed (Ashok) has done extensive theater and film work throughout India, the U.K. and the U.S. His credits encompass: Satyajit Ray’s The Chessplayers, My Beautiful Launderette, Gandhi, A Passage to India, The Man Who Would be King with Michael Caine and Sean Connery, The Deceiverswith Pierce Brosnan, and The Wilby Conspiracy with Michael Caine and Sidney Poitier.

Carrie Preston

Carrie (Laura Singh) has performed on broadway. Her role as Miranda in The Tempest received for her a spotlight in the New York Times’ Up & Coming section. Prior to filming The Journey, Carrie completed work on My Best Friend’s Wedding with Julia Roberts.

Antony Zaki

Antony (Raj Singh) is a London-based actor who has credits ranging from theater to film and TV: The Governor II, Gypsy Magic, Little Orphan Annie and Young Indiana Jones.

Betsy Zajko

Betsy (Audrey) has been seen in Hollywood Pictures’ Money for Nothing and Columbia Pictures’ Striking Distance.

Nora Bates

The Journey is Pittsburgh native Nora’s (Jenny) film debut.

Michael Emerson

Michael has numerous credits including a significant role in the TV series ‘Lost’.

Awards

  • Best Independent Film Award – Cleveland Film Festival
  • Audience Award for Best Feature Film – Florida Film Festival
  • Bronze Carp Award – Seattle Asian American Film Festival

Reviews

One priceless scene after another?Technically accomplished directorial debut from Harish Saluja?Deserves to be seen on the big screen?Pic?s tech credits are appealing, particularly John Rice?s lensing of outdoor sequences?

-Variety, Emanuel Levy

Charming. The best moments recall Satyajit Ray?s final film, The Stranger.

-Seattle Times, John Hartl

A warm and funny film.

-The Chicago Film Festival

I think (Satyajit) Ray would be pleased with Mr. Saluja?s first effort.

-Arts Review, John Baker

The Journey is stuffed with interesting fragments?It?s beautifully photographed? Lovely piece of work.

-Pittsburgh Tribune review, Ed Blank

Reminiscent of Ang Lee?s debut Pushing Hands. Touching, life-affirming tale.

-Mill Valley Festival, K. Wolff

If you believe Indian filmmakers can make a serious film without relying on old stereotypes and sexually deviant characters, then “The Journey” will please you with realism.

-Girish Khera

Funny, endearing film

-The Slant, an Online Magazine

Comedy aside, however, the real value of this wonderfully realized narrative is its approach to life?. the film leaves an indelible mark for its appropriate balance of broad comedy, home-spun humor and touching metaphysics

-Harvey Karten

Festivals

A list of some of the festivals attended: Seattle Film Festival, June 1997, World Premiere

  • Seattle Film Festival, June 1997, World Premiere
  • Florida Film Festival, June 1997, East Coast Premiere, Audience Award ‘Best Film’
  • Smithsonian, Indian Embassy, August 1997, Special Honor Screening
  • Vancouver Film Festival, September 1997, 4.1 Audience Rating (1-5 scale)
  • Mill Valley Film Festival, October 1997, Sell Out
  • Seattle Asian American Film Festival,
  • Chicago International Film Festival.
  • Three Rivers Film Festival
  • Mumbai Film Festival
  • South Asian Film Festival Florida
  • San Francisco Asian American Film Festival
  • Cleveland Film Festival, ‘Best Independent Film’
  • Singapore Film Festival
  • Sedona International Film Festival
  • St. Louis Film Festival
  • Filmfest DC
  • Kerala, Trivandrum (India)

Crew

Produced And Directed By – Harish Saluja

Director Of Photography – John Rice

Associate Producer – Jane Aseniero

Casting – Caroline Sinclair

Music By – Chris Hughes

Editor – Tom Dubensky

Screenplay By – Harish Saluja And Lisa Kirk Puchner

Screenplay Development By – Heather Hartley, Diana Osberg, Renee Depalma

Unit Production Manager – Jeff Stimmel

First Assistant Director – Steve Parys

Second Assistant Director – David H. Weinstein

2nd Second Assistant Director – Ron Recio

Gaffer – Eris Baca

Best Boy – Jeff Vandermolen

Generator Operator – Phil Salvato

Electrician – Bob Lumboski

Key Grip – Bart Flaherty

Best Boy – Brian Buzzelli

Dolly Grip – Gregory L. Edwards

First Assistant Camera – Andrew M. Cohen

Second Assistant Camera – Ingrid Grimes

Video Assit – Durayshavar Bachooali

Still Photographer – Robin Marie Cobb

Script Supervisor – Nicole Petitpierre

Sound Mixer – Skeeter Jarvis

Boom Operator – Jarrett H. Buba

Pittsburgh Casting – Donna Belajac

Sound Designer – Bernard Hayden

Post Production Sound – Sound Dimensions, Ny

Stereo Consultants – Daniel W. Victor, Jr., Fred Rivas

Prop Master – Paul Bucciarelli

Art Director – Elaheh Ferrari

Set Dresser – Holly Gessler

On-Set Dresser – Samir Desai

Props Assistant – Bridget Conrad

Key Wardrobe – Tammy S. Mahramas

Make-Up – Patty Bell

Assistant Make-Up – Craig Hicks

Hairdresser – Sandie Scott

Production Coordinator – Hope Ann Nathan

Production Accountant – Mona Rice

Locations Manager – Brian Keith Soloman

Key Set P.A. – David J. Jose

Set P.A. – Jason Winn Bareford

Craft Service – Al Miner

Transportation – Mary Beth Mcdonough

Legal Counsel – Marcia Grimes, Eli Kabillo

Publicity – Deborah Ervin

Administrative Assistant – Debbie Mackulin

Payroll – Pat Yasurek, Dick George

Website Manager – Ashlee Caul