A Dream in Doubt

A Dream in Doubt is an immigrant story of survival as a wave of deadly hate crimes terrorizes the Sikh American community in Phoenix, Arizona. The film features Rana Sodhi, an Indian immigrant whose life is forever altered by the 9/11 terror attacks, not because he knew someone who died in the rubble, but because Rana’s turban and beard—articles of his Sikh faith—now symbolize America’s new enemy.

A Dream in Doubt follows Rana Singh Sodhi, Balbir’s brother, as he attempts to fight the hate threatening his family and community. The Sodhis had fled ethnic violence in India to pursue their version of the American dream. But less than a year after Balbir’s murder, Sukhpal Sodhi, Rana’s next-eldest brother, is killed in mysterious circumstances while driving a cab in San Francisco. Nine months later, Rana’s friend Avtar Chiera is shot by three men who yell, “Go back to where you came from!” Three weeks after Avtar’s shooting, another friend, Inderjit Singh, is physically assaulted and threatened with death while working at a convenience store. These incidents receive little to no coverage in the U.S. media, and a national dialogue concerning post-9/11 hate crimes and ethnic profiling is sorely missing. Wanting justice for his brothers’ murders, Rana is motivated towards social action. He demands that America live up to its ideals of equality.

A Dream in Doubt explores the complexities of race, religion, immigration, and the American Dream. In the end, the film demonstrates that hope and courage have the power to overcome hate.

Awards
• 2007 Arizona International Film Festival, Best Feature Documentary
• 2007 Slamdance Film Festival, Grand Jury’s Honorable Mention Award
• 2007 San Francisco Int’l Asian American Film Festival, Special Jury Award
• 2007 IFP selection, screened in “Independent’s Night” at Lincoln Center

"Rana's refusal to change his beliefs or alter his lifestyle out of fear, along with his persistent belief in this adopted new country are the true source of A DREAM IN DOUBT"S uncommon power."
— Miami Herald

"A must-see for anyone who think racists are a thing of the past."
— Dr. Collen Fong, Professor of Ethnic Studies, California State University East Bay

"'A Dream in Doubt' is a wrenching story about the ambiguities in the American dream. It follows an extraordinary man who struggles to maintain his faith in the dream, even as his family and community come under attack. This wonderful film is guaranteed to generate conversations rather than complacency and should be seen by all thoughtful Americans."
— Dr. Philippa Strum, Senior Scholar, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars; Former Chair, Wilson Center's US Studies Division

“'A Dream in Doubt' is masterful because it uses one family's extraordinary story to shed light on so many issues I regularly discuss with my students, including religious freedom, immigrants' rights, and the criminal justice system. I encourage my students and colleagues to watch 'Dream' and engage in the rich dialogue the film inevitably inspires. I applaud Tami Yeager and Preetmohan Singh for producing this remarkable documentary film."
— Nadine Strossen, Professor, New York Law School; Former President, ACLU