film detail

Synopsis:

Colonel Kalsi‘ is a documentary film about an American Sikh army officer’s struggle to serve his country with honor and dignity.Kamaljeet Kalsi always wanted to serve in the US army. His father had served in the Indian air force and his grandfather, the British Army.As a son of an immigrant, he wanted to continue his family’s tradition. He was willing to die for his adopted country.The one thing he was not willing to do though, was give up his religious identity.
Kamaljeet was born a Sikh and grew up immersed in the traditions and tenets of his faith.Sikhs wear a turban and a beard and adorn a strict religious uniform. Unshorn hair is a mark of their deep rooted identity.
"It is not just a baseball cap that you can just take off and put on at any time,” he explains. “It is a part of my soul”. When Kamaljeet joined the Army he was pursuing a career in medicine. While in training, the Army had no issue with him holding on to his religious identity or attire.
But when time came for him to deploy to Afghanistan, they reneged on their promise.They said he would have to cut his hair and shave his beard as it would interfere with the mission and "esprit de corps” (spirit/cohesion of the unit).
A reason that was often given to keep blacks, gays, women and others out of the forces.The United States Armed forces desegregated in 1946, by the order of then president Harry Truman.
It was a deeply unpopular decision but it opened the doors to all and made any discrimination based on “race, color, religion or national origin” unlawful.Although the forces were desegregated by executive order, they were not welcoming to all. Until recently.
Kamaljeet decided to sue the US Army to obtain his religious accommodation, his constitutional right.

Movie will be followed by Q & A with Col.Kalsi, Geeta Gandbhir, Anand Kamlakar, Harlem Gunness and Karl Bardosh
 

 

GEETA GANDBHIR is an award-winning director, producer, and editor with over 25 years of experience in the film industry across narrative and documentary. Her documentary short, “Call Center Blues,” was a SXSW Grand Jury Award nominee, and she directed an episode of PBS’ five-part Peabody Award-winning series “Asian Americans.” Gandbhir also directed and show-ran a four-part series for HBO titled “Black and Missing,” earning her a NAACP Award for Best Directing, and an Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Series. As director, Geeta has also been awarded two Emmys - as editor she has won an Academy Award and four Peabody's.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ANAND KAMALAKAR is a Brooklyn based documentary film director, producer and editor. His latest film "Salam : The First ***** Nobel Laureate"  has screened in over thirty cities around the world and has won a number of international awards. Heart of Stone, a film he produced and edited, won over ten awards including Best Film at Slamdance Film Festival, Philadelphia Film Festival, and Cinequest Film Festival. Recent credits include The Gowanus Canal (Winner, Best Film, Brooklyn Film Festival), Holy (un)Holy River, Garwin and 300 Miles to Freedom