Jacquille Kambo, the man behind several films and many more to come, joins us this episode where we talk about how we have known each other over the years, and the impact we both had on each other without knowing it at the time.
We talk about his experience being in the industry, what inspires his creativity, and how he’s learned to take care of his mental health.
This was a great open and honest chat and we hope you enjoy the listen!!
More details:
We sit down with Jacquille Kambo, a Vancouver-based filmmaker, writer, and director who's been creating short films that tackle everything from gang violence to mental health in the Punjabi community. This conversation gets real about childhood friend reunions, creative journeys, and what it means to chase your dreams when everyone expects you to take the safe route.
The story starts with greenday44 - a YouTube channel making Vancouver Canucks hockey highlights set to Green Day and punk rock back in the early YouTube era. Before algorithms and viral content, there were CDC forums, megaupload, and kids making music videos in their bedrooms with zero confidence to share them.
That hidden creativity sparked something bigger than either of us realized at the time.Jacquille talks about his path through Capilano University film school, creating Help Wanted and Mentor - short films dealing with sense of belonging, cults, pyramid schemes, and the darker sides of searching for family. His work draws heavy inspiration from Christopher Nolan, The Dark Knight trilogy, film noir, cinematography and color theory, and storytelling with music.
We break down Batman, Hans Zimmer's scores, Inception, Interstellar, Oppenheimer reactions, and why Marvel and Robert Downey Jr. still matter to cinema.The conversation shifts to mental health and creativity - therapy journey, clinical counselling, inner child work, and men talking about feelings without the usual bullshit.
We discuss toxic masculinity, masculinity and vulnerability, Punjabi parents expectations, immigrant parent support, and how the South Asian community and Punjabi Canadian creators navigate corporate jobs vs art while dealing with ego and competition in Vancouver's cliquey creative scene.
Vancouver vs Toronto comes up - why supporting local artists matters, collaboration vs competition, and whether the Punjabi creative scene can grow together or if comparison culture and social media pressure keep everyone separated. Content creation has exploded with TikTok and Reels culture, AI generated video, and podcasts in traffic becoming the norm, but building community through art still requires real human connection.
We also get into Vancouver Canucks fandom, NHL loyalty, hockey highlights, what sports mean to a city, and why that orca logo represents more than just a team. Plus thoughts on ADHD and movies, editing and pacing, Bollywood influences, classic rock, movie genres, Hollywood standards, and creative burnout when you're trying to leave a legacy while staying true to yourself.
This one's about childhood friends reconnecting, creative confidence, following creative dreams despite the noise, and understanding that film noir isn't just an aesthetic - it's a way of seeing the world. Whether you're into filmmaking, mental health in Punjabi community discussions, or just want to hear two people talk honestly about the creative process without the usual podcast BS, this conversation covers it all.
