Under the Turban
By Brian Costello,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Informative docu sheds light on oft-misunderstood religion.
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Under the Turban
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What's the Story?
Two years ago, UNDER THE TURBAN director Satinder Garcha was asked, "Papa, what does it mean to be a Sikh?" by his daughter Zara. This question led the Garcha family around the world -- leaving their home in Singapore to visit Italy, Argentina, India, Canada, the UK, and the USA -- to find an answer to this question. Through these travels, they learn how the Sikh religion was a radical break from the caste system in India and preached equality, encouraged practitioners to be selfless, work hard, and do good deeds for those less fortunate. They meet Sikh fashionistas in the UK who make the turban look more chic and cool than it's often perceived in the world and in media. They meet a Sikh motorcycle gang in Canada. They also go to Oak Creek, Wisconsin and witness the indomitable resolve of those who worship there and survived the horrific mass shooting in 2012 in which a white supremacist opened fire and killed six people. The end result is a much clearer understanding, for the viewer as well as for the Garcha family, on what it means to be Sikh.
Is It Any Good?
This documentary is a revealing look at the Sikh religion -- its practitioners, history, and beliefs. Using a child's simple question as a starting point, Under the Turban challenges the assumptions and misconceptions many hold toward one of the most misunderstood and relatively unknown major religions of the world. In each country where they travel, what emerges is how Sikhs both assimilate the culture in which they live while retaining their own identity. It has always been an egalitarian religion, from its inception in India as it rejected the caste system to its practices today of selflessness and helping those in one's community.
It drags at times, and might not be the most interesting documentary to those who have little interest in religions of the world. Be that as it may, for those who are interested in other cultures and the similarities and differences between the religions of the world, Under the Turban offers a comprehensive presentation of the Sikh religion as a whole and for the individuals who adhere to it.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
How does Under the Turban convey information about the Sikh religion?
How does the movie address misconceptions that some have of the religion?
What did you learn by watching this documentary?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 20, 2017
- Cast: Zara Garcha
- Director: Satinder Garcha
- Studio: Cinema Libre Studio
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 89 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 26, 2023
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