FILM "MISTAKEN IDENTITY"
LAUNCHES
"GLOBAL MEDIA EVENT"
IN
HOLLYWOOD
Officially selected with 300 independent filmmakers from Australia, Brazil,
Canada, Croatia, India, Ireland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain,
Tunisia, UK and the USA, MISTAKEN IDENTITY attended the New York International
Independent Film & Video Festival (NYIIFVF) in Los Angeles from 18-28 September
2003. Known as 'the voice for independent film,' it is known as the largest
film festival in the world, with extensive coverage in major publications,
Variety, CNN, New York Observer, New York Times, LA Times, LA Weekly, Hollywood
Reporter, Fox TV, Time Out NY, E News, Daily News, Wall Street Journal, New York
Post, Screen talk Magazine, to name a few.
The Hollywood gala opening party at the Wyndham BelAge Hotel on 1020 N San
Vicente Blvd on 18 September, started at 7:00 PM. At the entrance of the grand
ballroom, MISTAKEN IDENTITY had its exclusive booth elaborately decorated with
color posters, press releases, post cards, DVDs and VHS for sale, etc. ready
to face the Hollywood media and film distributors, which was the main
objective.
With the recent news of 21 years old taxi driver Davinder Singh's killing on
Saturday, 13 September 2003, the presence of Sikhs in turbans and beards was
essential to drive the message of MISTAKEN IDENTITY. A phone call to invite
Governor Gray Davis at short notice, was handled with the representation and
attendance of Ms. Sadhana Johnson, (ethnicity part Cherokee
Indian/Afro-American)
from the Office of the Governor. Next day, four DVDs were hand delivered at
the Office of the Governor Gray Davis & First Lady Sharon Davis by the
filmmaker.
Guest patrons were Gurdeep Singh Malik, his son and Sikhs from the two of
the 12 Sikh gurdwaras in Los Angeles attended. Assisting the filmmaker behind
the exhibit booth, were Nirinjan Singh Khalsa (Sikh Dharma of Southern
California); Sardarni Sahiba Simran Kaur Khalsa (Sikh Dharma-Guru Ram Das
Ashram), and
Gurudhan Singh Khalsa (Golden Temple, Sunshine and Yogi Tea). An exclusive
film interview was conducted with M.S.S. Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa from the 3HO
Foundation for screening on the Internet.
From Day 1 of production, MISTAKEN IDENTITY's focus was to inform and educate
mainstream America and non-Sikhs worldwide about who are Sikhs, what is
Sikhism and what Sikh Americans have contributed to American economy for over
100
years. Two non-Sikh women produced the film - 22-year-old Amanda Gesine, Host
and Investigative Journalist who conceived the idea and New York Filmmaker
Vinanti Sarkar from India.
The management of MISTAKEN IDENTITY thanked Mr. & Mrs. Gurdip Singh Malik of
La Canada Valley Sun who hosted the film event. Mr. Malik saw the urgency
to promote the screening in the mainstream Hollywood film festival. Since the
Attack on America, Sikh Americans are repeatedly being mistaken for Arabs and
Muslims, because of their turbans and beards. To date, they are repeatedly
witnessing racial profiling, verbal abuse and physical attacks that have ended
in senseless shooting and killing, the first - five days after 9/11, with the
murder of Balbir Singh Sodhi in Meza, AZ.
The premiere Hollywood screening of MISTAKEN IDENTITY took place on Tuesday,
23 September at the Laemmie Fairfax Theatre, 7907 Beverly Blvd (Corner of
Fairfax in West Hollywood) at 4:00 PM. Filmmaker Vinanti Sarkar was presented
with a golden embossed commendation at the Hollywood screening signed by the
Governor Gray Davis, which read:
"It is a great pleasure to extend warm greetings to all who have gathered for
the screening of "Mistaken Identity, produced and directed by Vinanti
Sarkar. By supporting the film and introducing it to new audiences, Mistaken
Identity has helped to build intercultural awareness and understanding of the
Sikh
community. I commend Vinanti Sarkar for her invaluable contributions to
California's cultural life. Her talent, vision and dedication are an
inspiration
for us all. On behalf of the people of the State of California, I extend best
wishes for continued success."
The following day, two DVD copies in each package, were mailed to the
Honorable Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer; Attorney General Bill
Lockyer,
Sheriff Leroy D. Baca of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and Mr.
Jack O'Connor, Office of the Superintendent of Education.
Last April, the film won two gold awards as best film documentary: The Golden
Lion Award in Florence, AL and then the Remi GOLD Statuette for "creative
excellence" at the WORLDFEST, Houston, TX, competing with over 4,500 entries.
The media was to focus around Amanda Gesine discovering her Sikh neighbor,
where she would appear in VOGUE Magazine and on OPRAH TV show to talk about the
great need to "celebrate of cultural diversity in America." Unfortunately,
Amanda had a tragic accident and due to respect for her and her family, the
filmmakers have kept a low profile in distributing the film.
The film is Amanda's legacy to America and the world; therefore, the
filmmakers launched this "global media event" with the first screening in
Hollywood.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY will be screened at the United Nations and then move across
the United States, mostly in universities, colleges (departments of
multicultural, religion and anthropology, South Asian studies,) schools, public
libraries, museums, law enforcement, etc., to bring awareness and celebrate
multicultural diversity. Further screenings will take place in Canada
(Vancouver and
Toronto), the United Kingdom (London & Birmingham), Sweden, Norway, Holland,
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, India, Australia and Brazil as "a celebration
of cultural diversity".
