Ocean of Pearls: Movie Review

[ban3rg]

Short answer - go see it! It's a different movie, brings up a good message/point of discussion - and take your parents/aunties/uncles cuz they'll love it.
I just saw this at the SF Asian American Film Festival. The screenwriter was there and he said to expect a wide-release in June. He didn't want the movie to be promoting the message "everyone should keep their kesh" because he thinks that's a personal choice - and the movie isn't preachy at all. It's a little Bollywood/sappy with regards to the relationships being protrayed but overall it's an enjoyable film.

Pros: Great shots of Toronto and Detroit. Unique story and interesting point of discussion. Very respectfully and well made. My mom and her friend really liked it.

Cons: a little sappy and predictable with the portrayal of relationships. A little extreme (meaning unrealistic) in some parts (the extent to which people are racist/biased towards the main character who is an Amritdhari Sikh, came across as a little too much at times).

Overall - interesting movie - encourage you all to see it in June!

 

[HarmanSingh]

Arjun,

While it may seem unrealistic to you to see such extreme bigotry towards Sardars, I can tell you these stories are not isolated incidents. Ask a Sardar in a place where there is very little diversity and I am can gaurantee they all have stories. Even New York has had its fair share of problems with bigotry towards Sardars. So I do not believe this story is "unrealistic", as it is very real for those affected.

 

[ban3rg]

Arjun,

While it may seem unrealistic to you to see such extreme bigotry towards Sardars, I can tell you these stories are not isolated incidents. Ask a Sardar in a place where there is very little diversity and I am can gaurantee they all have stories. Even New York has had its fair share of problems with bigotry towards Sardars. So I do not believe this story is "unrealistic", as it is very real for those affected.

Right, that's what I'm trying to say - it probably seemed unr. to me because I haven't been in many non-diverse places. I'm sure it happens in other areas (been thinking about this a bit and that's what i concluded - surely it happens, even if I haven't witnessed such things myself). For example in one scene he is not let into a club because "headgear is not allowed" - that rule is there to "discourage gang-related attire/activities" or something like that.

I just thought it was a little far-fetched that someone would be SO biased/ignorant. I'm probably just naive but for someone to ACTUALLY believe that a sikh with "headgear" is possibly gang attire just seems like a stretch - even if they knew about sikhs but werejust trying to make up a legitimate reason to kick the main character out, I thought it was a little absurd since it would make more sense for the club to make money and let in guests rather than turn one away by claiming "gang attire." Yeah, it's just a movie, but it lost a little credibility - who knows, maybe this actually happens a lot? Anyone heard of this happening?

"Random" airport searches seems extremely possible to me but barring someone from a club is another matter, and it was scenes like these (there were others) that just seemed too far fetched, diminishing the film's authenticity.


And that's interesting, Jasjit that you bring that up. It is just this kind of discussion that I imagine the film is trying to promote. The writer didn't want it to lean a certain way and have an "agenda" but rather wanted discussion to take place

EDIT: actually the character's dad mentions in one scene that Sikhs in France face so much prejudice and some were denied driver's licenses because of racial profiling, while many schools forbid any religious attire whatsoever, even pughs or headscarves for example. If the former can happen then I guess not getting into a club would seem very likely, in comparison. If the movie was set a little closer to 9/11 I could easily see that kind of racial profiling happening, as it in fact did around that time.

 

[HarmanSingh]

The club example from the movie is actually based on true events that happen here in a Michigan (where the director is from). It is definetely not unheard of. I have been questioned multiple times about my "head gear." Luckily after explaining I was able to get in but thats not always the case.

There is even a case currently going on in Oklahoma to bar anyone from wearing headgear in license pictures (including pughs).

 

[COMTONDAJATT]

Arjun,

While it may seem unrealistic to you to see such extreme bigotry towards Sardars, I can tell you these stories are not isolated incidents. Ask a Sardar in a place where there is very little diversity and I am can gaurantee they all have stories. Even New York has had its fair share of problems with bigotry towards Sardars. So I do not believe this story is "unrealistic", as it is very real for those affected.

Right, that's what I'm trying to say - it probably seemed unr. to me because I haven't been in many non-diverse places. I'm sure it happens in other areas (been thinking about this a bit and that's what i concluded - surely it happens, even if I haven't witnessed such things myself). For example in one scene he is not let into a club because "headgear is not allowed" - that rule is there to "discourage gang-related attire/activities" or something like that.

I just thought it was a little far-fetched that someone would be SO biased/ignorant. I'm probably just naive but for someone to ACTUALLY believe that a sikh with "headgear" is possibly gang attire just seems like a stretch - even if they knew about sikhs but werejust trying to make up a legitimate reason to kick the main character out, I thought it was a little absurd since it would make more sense for the club to make money and let in guests rather than turn one away by claiming "gang attire." Yeah, it's just a movie, but it lost a little credibility - who knows, maybe this actually happens a lot? Anyone heard of this happening?

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20070209-9999-1mi9turban.html

A turban-wearing Rancho Bernardo medical school student claims he was discriminated against when he was turned away from a popular college hangout.
The bar in Orange County has a “no hat” rule.

 

[Arjun Barua]

I just thought it was a little far-fetched that someone would be SO biased/ignorant. I'm probably just naive but for someone to ACTUALLY believe that a sikh with "headgear" is possibly gang attire just seems like a stretch - even if they knew about sikhs but werejust trying to make up a legitimate reason to kick the main character out, I thought it was a little absurd since it would make more sense for the club to make money and let in guests rather than turn one away by claiming "gang attire." Yeah, it's just a movie, but it lost a little credibility - who knows, maybe this actually happens a lot? Anyone heard of this happening?

It happens quite a bit, Arjun...

Go to the following link. Check the box that says "Denied Access to Service" and hit "Search Now" at the bottom of the page.

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/ListReports.asp?mainaction=SEARCH


I recall one such incident that happened here in Richmond, VA...

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/hatecrime.asp?mainaction=viewreport&reportid=550

 

[Raji]

I've been wanting to watch this movie since last year- does anyone know when it'll be out for the rest of the public who aren't as lucky to attend Asian American Film Festival's

 

[kinnell]

I've been wanting to watch this movie since last year- does anyone know when it'll be out for the rest of the public who aren't as lucky to attend Asian American Film Festival's

Short answer - go see it! It's a different movie, brings up a good message/point of discussion - and take your parents/aunties/uncles cuz they'll love it.
I just saw this at the SF Asian American Film Festival. The screenwriter was there and he said to expect a wide-release in June. He didn't want the movie to be promoting the message "everyone should keep their kesh" because he thinks that's a personal choice - and the movie isn't preachy at all. It's a little Bollywood/sappy with regards to the relationships being protrayed but overall it's an enjoyable film.

Pros: Great shots of Toronto and Detroit. Unique story and interesting point of discussion. Very respectfully and well made. My mom and her friend really liked it.

Cons: a little sappy and predictable with the portrayal of relationships. A little extreme (meaning unrealistic) in some parts (the extent to which people are racist/biased towards the main character who is an Amritdhari Sikh, came across as a little too much at times).

Overall - interesting movie - encourage you all to see it in June!

:

 

[Ramani]

I've been wanting to watch this movie since last year- does anyone know when it'll be out for the rest of the public who aren't as lucky to attend Asian American Film Festival's

loll i really want to see this movie i've been wanting to watch it since last year as well

 

[Dippy]

I've been wanting to watch this movie since last year- does anyone know when it'll be out for the rest of the public who aren't as lucky to attend Asian American Film Festival's

I've been wondering the same thing!! I saw the trailor like a year ago and I don't know when the release date is! It looks like a really good movie

 

[ban3rg]

I just thought it was a little far-fetched that someone would be SO biased/ignorant. I'm probably just naive but for someone to ACTUALLY believe that a sikh with "headgear" is possibly gang attire just seems like a stretch - even if they knew about sikhs but werejust trying to make up a legitimate reason to kick the main character out, I thought it was a little absurd since it would make more sense for the club to make money and let in guests rather than turn one away by claiming "gang attire." Yeah, it's just a movie, but it lost a little credibility - who knows, maybe this actually happens a lot? Anyone heard of this happening?

It happens quite a bit, Arjun...

Go to the following link. Check the box that says "Denied Access to Service" and hit "Search Now" at the bottom of the page.

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/ListReports.asp?mainaction=SEARCH


I recall one such incident that happened here in Richmond, VA...

http://www.sikhcoalition.org/hatecrime.asp?mainaction=viewreport&reportid=550

I would actually recommend others (who are not as informed on this, like me) to do what BRRUAH is saying above. There are so many incidents of profiling/bias against Sikhs, it definitely took me by surprise. Even in such metropolitan, progressive, culturally diverse areas as Pittsburgh, Providence, or Montreal there are incidents of bias against Sikhs. It's not just the Midwest or like, cities in Wyoming or Montana, which generally have less cultural diversity. Had I read these things before watching it, the movie would surely have come across as more realistic and meaningful.

 

[jassybillo]

So back to the question many people have already asked....where can I see this? Besides going to the film festival. If not, when is the next film film festival????

 

[Manjot]

releasing in June according to Arjun

 

[Billoo0]

I think this was shown again in Toronto (@ UofT) like this past week, but I friggen missed it again!! .. Is there any other way to watch it?? ???

Promo for the film has been going on for like two (2) years so why hasn't it been released to the general public already man :-[ :-\

 

[Raghav]

yea Billoo it was shown at UFT this past week
ahahaha i missed it too

 

[rajkaran]

Such a good movie!

 

[Meistro]

I watched this movie a few months ago at a theatre in SF. It was good, but I was expecting a lot more. As arjun said it was very predictable. The movie was too short for that sort of plot and they didn't spend enough time on it, it just seemed rushed.

 

[Dippy]

I think this was shown again in Toronto (@ UofT) like this past week, but I friggen missed it again!! .. Is there any other way to watch it?? ???

Promo for the film has been going on for like two (2) years so why hasn't it been released to the general public already man :-[ :-\

Forreals, I'm so over trying to even see this movie, they've been hyping it forever and it hasn't been released anywhere near me so I give up. I give the distributors of this film a -1

 

[Billoo0]

two (2) more days till my holiday break starts and I'd love this for Christmas ... somebodyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy :-X

 

[ban3rg]

hey billoo0 this is the best u can do - check there for more info it seems there are some screenings this month but honestly i didn't read it too thoroughly haha - gluck!

http://www.oceanofpearls.com/upscreen.htm