Independent Lens

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 now symbolize America’s new enemy. Rana’s eldest brother was America’s first post-9/11 hate crime murder victim, and other attacks on Sikhs close to Rana soon follow. The film follows Rana as he seeks vindication for the murders by working to educate fellow Phoenix-area residents about hate crimes; acting as the spokesman for his family and the Sikh community; running his gas station to support his family; and, most importantly, attempting to guard his own school-aged children from bullying and harassment. A DREAM IN DOUBT tells a personal story of national tragedy, murder, family, community, and the American Dream.