2017 Sikh International Film Festival

Sikh International Film Festival 2017

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

12pm-9:30pm

PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA

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


Saragarhi: The True Story

 

Saragarhi: The True Story

Produced and Presented by Captain J. Singh-Sohal; Directed by Manpreet Singh Talwar

On the 12th September 1897, 21 Sikh soldiers of the 36th (Sikh) Regiment of Bengal Infantry defended a small communications post against the onslaught of 10,000 Pashtun tribesmen. This was during a year of tribal uprisings, which a young Winston Churchill witnessed at Malakand, and weeks before the Tirah expedition.

Fighting at Saragarhi for seven hours but with limited ammunition and supplies, the Sikhs led by Havildar Ishar Singh did their duty to their regiment and maintained the high military ethos of the Sikh brotherhood (the Khalsa).  Through their dying actions they cemented the reputation of their people as brave, loyal and staunch. They inspired their brethren to stand for a just cause and to fight against tyranny and oppression.

Saragarhi: The True Story is a presenter led one-hour television documentary that delves into the historic nature of the frontier battle. It is produced and presented by J. Singh-Sohal (journalist, filmmaker, Specialist Reserve Office in the British Army) who has researched and written extensively about the battle over the past seven years, earning the ‘British Sikh Jewel Award’ for his efforts in 2017. 

The film explores the story on film for the first time in a factual manner, and before the release of fictional Bollywood accounts of the battle. It explores how the Sikhs were deployed to the frontier and why they fought, as well as connect the epic to today with a view of inspiring young people to remember past heroics and to continue that legacy of public service. From the documentary the audience will gain a greater appreciation of historic Sikh valour as inspired by Khalsa principles and how these values are naturally suited to inspire greater acts of public service worldwide today.

 

Saragarhi: The True Story
Saragarhi: The True Story

Film list is subject to change without notice.