Tuesday May 16, 2006 at 10pm ET/PT on CBC Newsworld
repeating Saturday May 20, 2006 at 10pm ET/PT on CBC Newsword
repeating Tuesday August 22 at 10pm ET/PT  on CBC Newsworld


In countries like India and Trinidad, the passion for cricket is just as strong as the love of hockey in Canada-maybe even stronger. It is the most watched and best loved sport in many Caribbean and South Asian countries. Cricket is a way of life-and many young boys dream of playing for the national team. Cricket and the Meaning of Life explores the power and meaning of a game that is more than just a sport.

Like most boys in his native city of Bombay, director Sanjay Talreja's childhood was filled with cricket. As an adult, however, he struggled to adapt when he moved to Toronto, wondering if he would have to erase his past in order to "belong" to his new country.

One day, a surprise encounter rekindles a long-buried memory and changes everything. Talreja discovers a thriving underground community of South Asian and Caribbean cricket players in Toronto. He meets coach Brian Hale, who does more than teach the rules of the game-he motivates and mentors the young cricketers as they transform from boys into men, and from immigrants to full-fledged Canadians. Hale and his team depart on a life-changing tour to Trinidad, and Talreja discovers that cricket is crucial to the identity of many new Canadians, as he regains his passion for the game in his new country.

Cricket and the Meaning of Life is directed and narrated by Sanjay Talreja and produced by Gerry Flahive. It is a winner of the National Film Board of Canada Reel Diversity Competition, made in association with CBC Television and CBC Newsworld. The CBC  Newsworld broadcast is a world television premiere and the film was recently nominated for a 2006 Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival for "Best Multicultural Program".