Little kids line up in white graduation caps and gowns. Family members pose for formal photos at a wedding. Cousins laugh as they cut into the frosting of a giant birthday cake.
These scenes from Amar Shah’s childhood flash across the screen in a new film. And they share something in common.
All the photos were taken at motels owned by Indian immigrant families.
Shah grew up in that world.
His parents were in the gas station business. Family members and close friends owned motels. But Shah didn’t want to follow in their footsteps.
“I saw it as rough, blue-collar work,” he says, “and I felt a little embarrassed by it.”
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