Miramax Films Urged to Correct Misrepresentation of Sikhs Prior to Release of Film Dysfunktional Family

Washington, DC -- Following weeks of conversations with publicists for Miramax and the producer of Dysfunktional Family, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh advocacy and civil rights group, has retained a law firm and placed Dysfunktional Familys producers on notice. The film scheduled for release this Friday, inaccurately and irresponsibly associates Sikhs with Osama bin Laden. SMART was alerted to this film in early February by a community member from Chicago, who saw the trailer of the film in the theatre. SMART took the lead on this issue and initiated contact with Miramax. In a February 26 letter to Miramax Films, SMART sought a meeting to discuss the inflammatory depiction of Sikhs in the film. In subsequent phone conversations with a Miramax publicist, SMART conveyed its concerns and requested a screening of the film prior to its release.

Miramax advised it will be held accountable due to any negative consequences of film

Washington, DC -- Following weeks of conversations with publicists for Miramax and the producer of Dysfunktional Family, the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART), a national Sikh advocacy and civil rights group, has retained a law firm and placed Dysfunktional Familys producers on notice. The film scheduled for release this Friday, inaccurately and irresponsibly associates Sikhs with Osama bin Laden.

SMART was alerted to this film in early February by a community member from Chicago, who saw the trailer of the film in the theatre. SMART took the lead on this issue and initiated contact with Miramax. In a February 26 letter to Miramax Films, SMART sought a meeting to discuss the inflammatory depiction of Sikhs in the film. In subsequent phone conversations with a Miramax publicist, SMART conveyed its concerns and requested a screening of the film prior to its release.

SMART was informed that a decision to screen the film would be made by March 11, however, despite conversations on March 12 and 14 hinting that a screening will be possible, two weeks before the films release on March 20, SMART was told a screening was unlikely.

In the interim, SMART also contacted the agent and manager for the films lead actor, Eddie Griffin. Given Miramaxs lack of appropriate response to SMARTs requests for a screening, SMART began consulting with its legal team and last week SMART retained the law firm of Krovatin & Associates, LLC. On March 27, a letter ()from the firm to Miramax stated that "if Miramax does not take prompt and appropriate action prior to the release of the film, Miramax, together with other responsible entities, will be held accountable."

Throughout these efforts, SMART has recognized the First Amendment rights of movie studios to produce intellectual property, however, the organization would like to ensure that such a representation does not perpetuate stereotypes of Sikhs as terrorists, which have recently led to hundreds of hate crimes committed against Sikh Americans. SMART hopes that Miramax Films will demonstrate corporate responsibility and demonstrate sensitivity to the potentially life-threatening consequences such an association portends for Sikhs, especially in America.

A time line of SMARTs initiatives regarding the film is available at:
http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/letters/SMART_Miramax_Timeline.pdf

View the letter sent by the law firm of Krovatin & Associates on behalf of SMART at: http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/letters/Krovatin_letter_to_Miramax_Mar27.pdf

SMART's Feb. 26 letter to Miramax is available at: http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/letters/Miramax--Dysfunktional_Family.pdf

You can view India Wests March 12 article about SMARTs efforts on this issue at: http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/news/newsdetail.asp?newsid=254

Read SMARTs March 14, 2003 Community advisory on Dysfunktional Family here: http://www.sikhmediawatch.org/press/pressdetail.asp?pressid=33

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About SMART:

SMART, founded in 1996, is the oldest national Sikh American advocacy group. Our mission is to protect the rights of Sikh Americans through legislative advocacy, public education, and legal assistance and ensure accurate portrayal of the Sikh religion.

Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART)
1331 H Street, NW, 11th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
TEL: 877-917-4547
FAX: 202-318-4433
EMAIL: info@sikhmediawatch.org
WEB: www.sikhmediawatch.org