VANCOUVER, May 13, 2005 -- The Honourable Raymond Chan, Minister of State (Multiculturalism), will host a screening of the documentary Cosmic Current on May 14 at Science World, as part of Asian Heritage Month celebrations. "Three years ago, a motion was passed by the Senate of Canada declaring May as Asian Heritage Month in recognition of the tremendous contribution of people of Asian background to Canada's economic, political, social, and cultural life," said Minister of State Chan."There is no better way for Canadians to reach across the divides of culture, religion, race, and ethnicity than by sharing cultural experiences. Asian Heritage Month is a time to remember how much the blending of cultures in Canada has added to our identity and to our strength as a society." In Cosmic Current, Indo-Canadian filmmaker Anand Ramayya finds himself on a modern-day spiritual pilgrimage to India when a life-threatening illness strikes his family. He is joined by his traditional Hindu mother, Jaya; his psychologist/filmmaker father, Ray; and his brother Raj, a rock star in Japan. From Saskatchewan and Japan to Tirupati, an ancient site of worship in the south of India, what unfolds is an intimate and entertaining portrait of a family trying to reconnect. Written and directed by Anand Ramayya and produced by Joe MacDonald for the National Film Board of Canada, Cosmic Current was honoured with the Canada Award at the 2004 Gemini Awards. The Canada Award is supported by the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage and honours excellence in mainstream television programming that reflects Canada's racial and cultural diversity. Canada's Multiculturalism Policy, which falls under the Canadian Multiculturalism Act, promotes full and equitable participation from people of all origins in Canadian society, as well as interaction between diverse individuals and communities. It also encourages public institutions to respect and promote Canada's multicultural character. -30- Information: Roy Bornmann Office of the Minister of State (Multiculturalism) (819) 997-9900 Janet Miller Senior Communications Officer Department of Canadian Heritage (604) 666-3633
