"Mistaken Identity" - 40 min
"Mistaken Identity" is an excellent documentary that strives to explain to non-Sikhs who Sikhs are and what Sikhism is & stands for. Production of the film was inspired by the victimisation of Sikhs in the aftermath of the Sept 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York.
Told through the eyes of a 22-year-old "white" final-year student from Georgetown University, Williams College, (Washington, D.C.), the film was started as a "work of love" five days after the attack as members of the production crew heard first-hand accounts of how Sikhs were being badly treated (see list of attacks) - including the senseless killing of Balbir Singh Sodhi on Sept 16. It was immediately apparent that Sikhs were being singled out to face the wrath of the American people who, in their ignorance, were associating beards and turbans (both articles of the Sikh faith) to Arabs, Taliban and terrorists!
The film has been very well received wherever it has been shown. In one instance, after seeing the film at Atlanta Gurdwara (US), the small audience contributed $4900.00 towards the marketing effort.
The Sikh Youth Alliance has invited the filmmaker to show the film at its
Tournament on 16 April 2004 as an important educational film that will help the British public better understand the cultural diversity in the country. The organisation would like to encourage all members of the community to view the film and to bring along friends and relatives as well.
Press Release: A TV journey that started on 16 September 2001 …..ending in a celebration of cultural diversity programming for US and worldwide.
News: "MISTAKEN IDENTITY" wins second Remi "Gold" Award at Worldfest 2003 Houston, Texas. Read more.
Film contact information:
Nim Sarkar
Nimsarkar@aol.com
