Sikh Art & Film Foundation

The Road to Mandalay: The Burmese Sikhs

Directed by: Bobby Singh Bansal

The Road to Mandalay is a short documentary that charts the lives of the elusive Burmese Sikhs that have been living in Myanmar (Burma) since the 1860's. Not much is known about this country especially the minority Sikhs who are a thriving community although small in numbers, yet their success in trade, culture and commerce makes them a proud community that garners huge respect within Burmese society and government today.

Thinking Out Loud

Directed By AJ Singh

A man living a comfortable life is slow to realize that he must change in order to overcome his disorder and ultimately, save his marriage. Harman (played by AJ Singh) is a structured individual who is in pursuit of controlling all aspects of his life. He has allocated right from wrong and is content with his decisions that have led him to his reserved, but rather distant lifestyle.

Visible-Invisibles: The Sikhs from Kashmir

Directed by Anureet Caur

Visible-Invisibles is based on the plight of the Sikh minority living in Kashmir. Kashmir's political status has been in dispute since the partition of India and Pakistan and this region remains at the heart of the conflict between these two countries. The continued struggle of the people of Kashmir for their right to Self Determination and the presence of more than 700,000 military and paramilitary troops of India to suppress any such freedom movements resulted in constant curfews, search operations, arrests, torture, custodial killings, and disappearances of youth.

Bonjour Ji

Directed by Satinder Kassoana

Bonjour Ji is a short film that shows that the assumptions we make about other races, religions and cultures decide our interaction with them. Bonjour Ji asserts that our behavior is driven by assumptions, and is the real reason such assumptions grow and spread. This is the story of two characters who feel sidelined by other communities. But when they meet, they realize how a change in their perspective on other people can drive different behaviors out of the same people.

Valentino's Ghost

Directed by Michael Singh

Valentino's Ghost examines the ways in which America's foreign policy in the Middle East drives the U.S. media's portrayals of Arabs and Muslims. The film lays bare the truths behind taboo subjects that are conspicuously avoided, or merely treated as sound bites by the mainstream American media: "Why do they hate us?" "Why do we hate them?" What were the events that led to the 9/11 attacks? What are the politics behind the U.S.-‐Israeli relationship? Why is there a robust debate about these subjects in Europe, the Arab World and in Israel itself, but not in the U.S.? A dozen expert commentators elucidate the reasons behind the lack of a serious national dialogue on these topics, and reveal the media's – and the U.S. government's – roles in perpetuating many Americans' fear and loathing of Arabs, Muslims and Islam.

The Struggle to Serve

Directed by Ben Fischinger, Matthew Rogers, and Ryan Westra

For years Sikhs have fought valiantly in the American military, Bhagat Singh Thind, Arjinderpal Singh Sekhon, and G. B. Singh among them. But things changed in the early 1980s. President Reagan instituted a new policy disallowing facial hair and head gear in the military, consequently barring Sikhs from service.

REBUILT

Directed by Simranjit Grewall

When an aging immigrant makes a promise, his labor of love becomes his legacy. When 19-year-old Amarishwar Singh Grewal left India for a new life in the U.S., he was greeted by a society intrigued by his 'exotic' look and funny accent. After facing the plight of many immigrants of the 1950s - holding meager jobs and trying relentlessly to fit in - he went on to blaze trails as an eye-catching foreigner puttering around Fresno in a sporty convertible…wearing a matching-colored turban. Now, nearly 50 years after buying it, he makes it his mission to restore the old convertible for his son's wedding. Through in-depth interviews, historical stock footage and animated reenactments, we joyride through an immigrant's rise to social acceptance and a convertible's restoration, despite numerous setbacks.

Zubaan

Directed by Mozez Singh

Young Dilsher grew up in the heartland of Punjab. His father sang hymns in Gurdwaras, and Dilsher, who was deeply attached to his father followed in his footsteps. Music meant everything to them and for the young boy music and faith were intertwined. God was music and music was God. But when Dilsher’s father dies suddenly, the young, impressionable boy loses his way. He abandons his faith and the music dies.

Film list is subject to change without notice.

2015 Sikh International Film Festival

Celebrate the rich Heritage, Traditions & Culture of Sikhs and the immigrant experience through a diverse mix of Documentaries, Shorts & Feature Films.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21

1pm-9pm

PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA

(25 W 52nd St, New York, NY)

Event Schedule

Session One (1-3pm)

Feature Presentation Session (3:30-5:30pm)

Closing Premiere Presentation (7-9pm)

Scheduled Films