A Dream in Doubt is a documentary film by Tami Yeager, which tells the story of Balbir Singh Sodhi and his family. Balbir and four of his brothers came from India to the U.S. in the 1980s. The Sodhis are Sikh, and had experienced religious oppression in India, and sought religious freedom in the U.S. Balbir lived in Mesa, Arizona and owned a gas station there. On September 15, 2001, he was shot and killed at the gas station. The assailant then shot at second gas station, owned by a Lebanese-American, and fired shots at a house where an Afghan-American family lived. Balbir was a target due to his appearance, wearing a turbin and beard as required by the Sikh faith. This was the first hate crime casualty after September 11. He was not Muslim, but a Sikh. The film follows Balbir’s younger brother, Rana as he tries to educate the community about the Sikh faith, and serve as the spokesperson for the family as the Balbir’s case worked through the courts.

The film has played at film festivals, including Sundance, and has won a number of awards. Rana and Yeager have recently been traveling around the U.S., attending screenings of the film, including screenings in Washington. In the spring, it will also be shown on PBS.

• A Dream in Doubt - Official website