Sukhi

In her documentary short Sukhi, Samyukta “Sammy” Panth is a young filmmaker navigating plans for her future as she prepares for a trip to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Before leaving, she spends significant time with her grandparents Nandagopal and Sumitra Rao, who emigrated from India to America 25 years ago out of necessity. Now dependent on their adult children and adapting to life in a foreign environment, the grandparents reflect warmly and humorously on their experiences, including their marriage, the differences in culture, and the challenges of aging far from home.

The film is primarily told through candid conversations and daily routines, including trips to Trader Joe’s and Costco, discussions about food and gardening, and humorous anecdotes about their past. Sammy, still seen affectionately as “My Sweet Sammy” by her family, finds comfort and reassurance in their stories and companionship. Her grandparents offer Sammy wisdom and encouragement as she explores her path moving cross country toward independence and adulthood.

“…candid conversations and daily routines, including trips to Trader Joe’s and Costco…”

Throughout the film, intergenerational awkwardness is soothed by shared laughter and heartfelt moments. Sammy’s grandparents, with their sweet and witty personalities, highlight the importance of maintaining strong family bonds and considering the lessons of the past when facing an uncertain future. The documentary, filmed almost entirely in the rarely heard Thanjavur Marathi dialect, emphasizes the universal nature of family connections and the emotional strength found in generational ties.

In a film that is mostly about reflection through natural conversation, there is a sweetness that Sammy captures in her conversations with her grandparents. Sammy has great love and admiration for her grandparents, while in turn they only want and see the best in her.

I do have one complaint and it’s the subtitles. Sans Serif fonts work best for readability and the gold color blends in too much with the background. White with a black outline works best…in my opinion.

Sammy Panth’s Sukhi captures the affectionate spirit of intergenerational storytelling, where wisdom and wit are shared over preparing meals in the kitchen, trips to Trader Joe’s, and tales from the garden. It’s a heartwarming reminder that family roots nourish our journeys, no matter how far we roam.