Draft:Gurnir Singh
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|  |
Gurnir Singh | |
|---|---|
 Singh at the premiere of Chacaleria (2024) | |
| Born | September 19, 1986 |
| Nationality | Panamanian |
| Occupation(s) | Film director, screenwriter, podcast host |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Notable work | Chacaleria (2024) |
Gurnir Singh (born September 19, 1986) is a Panamanian filmmaker known for his independent films exploring themes of crime, society, and technology. He is best known for directing the critically acclaimed film Chacaleria (2024), and as co-host of Los Ciegos del Fútbol, one of Panama's few dedicated soccer podcasts.
Early Life and Career
[edit]Singh was born and raised in Panama to a Punjabi family. Growing up, he frequently described feeling "too Panamanian to be Punjabi, too American to be Panamanian, and too Punjabi to be American," a multicultural identity that influenced his filmmaking style.[1]
In the 1990s, Panama lacked major video rental chains like Blockbuster, and Singh worked at a local video store receiving bulk shipments of unmarked VHS tapes. His job was to watch each film and write concise synopses for customers. This role exposed Singh to diverse cinematic genres and narrative styles, significantly developing his storytelling and narrative-analysis skills.[1][2]
Filmography
[edit]Feature Films
[edit]- Chacaleria (2024) – A crime thriller set in Panama during the COVID-19 pandemic, about an entrepreneur selling illegal alcohol through drone deliveries. It became the highest-rated Panamanian film on IMDb following its release.[3][4]
- Oro en Darién (Upcoming) – The first patacón western autóctono, a neo-western prominently featuring the Emberá tribe, with much dialogue in their native language.
Documentaries
[edit]- Fuerte No Soy... Somos Intocable (Upcoming) – Celebrating the 30-year career of the band Intocable, with Singh interviewing band members and collaborators including Edge (Édgar Barrera) and Ramón Ayala.
Podcasting
[edit]Singh is a co-host of Los Ciegos del Fútbol, a soccer-focused podcast from Panama available exclusively on YouTube. The podcast highlights interviews with Panamanian football players, coaches, directors, medical professionals, and other figures who contribute significantly to the sport in Panama.[5]
Directorial Style and Influence
[edit]Singh's filmmaking emphasizes meticulous mise-en-scène, blending classical cinematic influences with modern digital techniques. His narratives are character-driven, often exploring complex cultural identities and social themes.
Awards and Recognition
[edit]In 2020, Singh won the Fondo Cine, a Panamanian government fund supporting national film projects, for his feature film Chacaleria.[6]
Film critic Gala Avary, co-host of Video Archives Podcast alongside Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary, positively reviewed Chacaleria on Letterboxd, noting its strong narrative and visual style.[7]
Personal Life
[edit]Singh regularly cites his multicultural background as integral to his filmmaking, enabling him to authentically depict and communicate complex cultural stories.
External Links
[edit]- Gurnir Singh at IMDb
- Interview in La Prensa
- Chacaleria review on Fangirlish
- Feature in Sostenibles
- Feature in Delefoco
- Rich Pieces Interview
- La Cinemafia Interview
- Los Ciegos del Fútbol podcast
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Interview: Gurnir Singh for Chacaleria". Rich Pieces. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ "La Cinemafia entrevista a Gurnir Singh". La Cinemafia. 2024.
- ^ "Gurnir Singh, la mente detrás de Chacaleria". La Prensa. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ "Chacaleria Review". Fangirlish. 2024-02-06.
- ^ "Los Ciegos del Fútbol Podcast". YouTube. Retrieved 2024-03-13.
- ^ "Películas y proyectos panameños reciben apoyo del Fondo Cine". LatAm Cinema. 2020-12-21.
- ^ "Chacaleria Review by Gala Avary". Letterboxd. Retrieved 2024-03-13.