2014 Sikh International Film Festival

Sikh International Film Festival 2014

FRIDAY, MAY 2 - SATURDAY, MAY 3

McGRAW-HILL CONFERENCE CENTER
(1221 6th Avenue, 2nd Fl., NYC)
&
NYU SKIRBALL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
(566 LaGuardia Place, NYC)


Onkar

 

Onkar

Directed by Reghu Shanker

OnkarĀ "MC Encore" Singh prays before every show his rap group, The Katalysts, performs in. He doesn't pray because of superstition and he doesn't pray in hopes that the show will go well. He prays to thank God for blessing him with the freedom and ability to do what he loves: make great hip hop music.

For the past two years, Onkar and his two friends, Wazz and DJ Ghost-1, have split time between finishing their college studies and building a reputation as one of Los Angeles' most promising young rap acts. It hasn't been easy and Onkar's musical ambitions have built a rift between him and his father Gurjeevan who wants Onkar to focus more on his engineering degree, but it looks like all the hard work is about to pay off. A talent scout for a small but growing rap label is coming to their upcoming show and if they do well, The Katalysts may finally make the transition from unsigned hype to underground sensation. And the night of the show, they kill it.

But the price of success is high. The record label wants Onkar to cease wearing his dastar when promoting the group and to cut his hair. The deal is contingent upon Onkar's decision and the rest of that Katalysts believe this may be their one shot at widespread exposure. Onkar decides to visit his grandfather at the local gurdwara to ask for advice, but his trip takes an unexpected turn when Onkar meets Amani, a young muslim woman, and has a run in with the law. What unfolds will change Onkar's perspective on not just his record contract, but his role as an artist and his very identity.

This is a Sikhlens Chapman University Sikh Art & Film Festival Scholarship Production.

Onkar
Onkar
Onkar

Film list is subject to change without notice.