By Mabel Pais

MIDNIGHT SECTION – ESCAPE FROM TRIBECA

ADIPURUSH – World Premiere

Director: Om Raut | India | Action, Drama l 2h 54m | Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu w/Eng Subs

One of India’s most expensive film productions of all time, ‘Adipurush’ is a fun, family epic brought to life with song and lavish special-effects. Heroic Raghav (The Telugu Film Industry (slang: Tollywood) megastar Prabhas hails from a royal lineage in the city of Ayodhya. When his beloved wife, Janaki, is kidnapped by the vicious Raavan, the demon king of the island of Lanka, Raghav must go on an epic adventure to save her, aided by an incredible army of monkey warriors.

“Directed by award-winning filmmaker Om Raut, this action-heavy 3D spectacle has been one of India’s most talked-about and anticipated films in years. Brought to ‘Escape From Tribeca’ as a way of introducing our audience to the joys of popular Indian Cinema, we are both honored and ecstatic to host the World Premiere of ‘Adipurush’ right here in New York City this June. Best experienced with a crowd of adventurous cinema lovers, this will surely be a Tribeca Festival night for the ages.”––Matt Barone and Jonathan Penner.

Escape from Tribeca

Tribeca’s new, Psychotronic Sidebar, dedicated to movies that make audiences stomp their feet and shout out loud. Presenting the most fun horror, action, and fantasy films from around the globe, with giveaways, guests and contests that turn the screenings into one of a kind events unavailable anywhere else. Sure to please even the rowdiest movie lovers, ‘Escape from Tribeca’ celebrates the joys of the communal filmgoing experience.

For Key Credits, Cast & Crew, visit tribecafilm.com/films/escape-from-tribeca-adipurush-2023

Screenings in Person:

Thu June 15 – 8:00 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6, and

Sat June 17 – 12:00 PM @ SVA Theatre

Check out tribecafilm.com for ticket availability.

SHORTS SECTION: ANIMATION

AMERICAN SIKH – World Premiere

Directors: Ryan Westra and Vishavjit Singh l USA l English l Short l 10m

New York, Animation, Documentary, Politics, Biography, Journalism

The true and unlikely story of an American born, turban-wearing Sikh man, Vishavjit Singh, who after a lifetime of facing prejudice, self-doubt and violence, finally finds acceptance in a superhero costume.

Due to the lack of representation and the statistically small global population of Sikhs as a whole, the vast majority of Americans and the world at large know almost nothing about Sikhs. Lack of knowledge is not only an education and awareness issue, but historically is the root of many issues such as xenophobia, intolerance, racism and violent hate crimes. What little knowledge people may have about Sikhs most often boils down to two things: a turban and a beard. This is the image that needs to be transformed – and that’s exactly what Sikh Captain America, Vishavjit Singh, is set out to do.

Sikh Captain America is changing the narrative on Sikhs (and anyone else who may not look “traditionally American”) — creating a new American hero that challenges societal expectations and norms. This film also follows his journey of accepting his own identity.

People have grown up idolizing superheroes for decades. Sikh Captain America may not fight evil monsters, but he takes on hate and intolerance that are sadly still very much part of our contemporary society. That’s why an animated documentary, much like the superhero cartoons we’ve all grown up watching, is such a unique way to raise awareness about Sikhs domestically and internationally in a style that people of all cultures and ages can enjoy.

Vishavjit Singh

Vishavjit Singh is a New York City based illustrator, writer, performance artist, diversity speaker and creator of Sikhtoons.com. He got his spark for cartooning in the post 9/11 tragedy when Americans with turbaned and bearded countenance became targets of hate/bias crimes.

“I am a radical listener, status quo disruptor & social narrative innovator. I have tapped into my own vulnerabilities as a genocide survivor and a constant target of hate/bias into a transformational force,” Singh says.

For the past few years Vishavjit has been traveling across the U.S. with his Sikh Captain America persona armed with a turban, beard and humor to tackle fear, anxiety, bigotry and intolerance. He uses storytelling as a tool to create a space for challenging conversations around identity, race, bias, vulnerability and how to be agents for change. Vishavjit hosts talks & keynotes in schools, universities, government agencies and companies including Google, Apple, NASA & Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic he has been working with the city of NYC Test & Trace Corps and a local NGO UNITED SIKHS on COVID-19 suppression and relief efforts. His message and work have been covered by a number of news outlets, including the New York Times, NPR, BBC, The Atlantic, Huffington Post, The Guardian and Time Magazine.

For Key Credits, Cast & Crew, visit tribecafilm.com/films/american-sikh-2023

Screenings: In Person

Sat June 10 – 5:15 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6, and

Sun June 11 – 2:15 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6

Sat June 17 – 12:15 PM @ AMC 19th St. East 6

Tribeca At Home: Streaming June 19 – July 2

SOUTH ASIAN HOUSE (SAH)

SOUTH ASIAN HOUSE makes its TRIBECA DEBUT

TRIBECA PROGRAM

Panels: Friday, June 16 @ 1 & 3 pm

SAH PROGRAM

Celebrations (Venue & Time: To Be Decided)

Friday, June 16 evening, StoryLounge Variety Show, and

Saturday, June 17, Desi Drag Brunch

The South Asian House (SAH) will present events at the Tribeca Festival (SAH @ TF) for the first time on June 16th to highlight, recognize, and appreciate South Asians in film and television.

The brainchild of veteran producers, curators, and programmers: Jitin Hingorani (Jingo Media & DFW South Asian Film Festival), Rohi Mirza Pandya (Box Office Guru Media & Desipina), Monika Samtani (Ms. Media & The Fem Word), and Kirtana Banskota (Banskota Productions & Nepal America Film Society), SAH @ TF will showcase programming focused on the funding, creation, and distribution of uniquely South Asian stories for a global audience. The day will consist of two panel discussions (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.) focused on content creation in the diaspora and the Indian film industry, respectively, featuring actors, directors, and producers and will be part of the AT&T Untold Stories Lounge at Spring Studios.

“Following on the heels of the success of the South Asian House at South by Southwest (SXSW) in March, we are truly thrilled to be commissioned to curate SAH at this iconic New York-based festival that has been home to many of us for years,” said lead co-producers Hingorani and Mirza Pandya. “Our filmmakers are making tremendous headway in Hollywood, while the Indian film industry is creating content that is winning Oscars. It’s time to celebrate these major achievements as a diaspora and a fraternity!”

In addition to the co-branded programming with Tribeca Festival, SAH will host two unique celebrations around Manhattan that weekend (venues TBD). On Friday, June 16th, NYC comedians and musicians will take center stage at the StoryLounge Variety Show to celebrate the power of the spoken word, and on Saturday, June 17th,  a Desi Drag Brunch, conceptualized by One Minute Saree, will bring together Bollywood drag performances paired with the staple of Indian fashion – the forever-fashionable saree.

“South Asians content creators are in the global spotlight for raising the bar through their ingenuity and passion,” said David Speer, Director of Operations at Tribeca Enterprises. “Tribeca is proud to showcase ground-breaking South Asian storytelling; this year, we are especially thrilled to welcome the South Asian House to celebrate the diaspora.”

For details on the programming and how to claim your spot at any of the events, follow @southasianhouse on Instagram or visit southasianhouse.com.

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health & Wellness, Education, Cuisine, Spirituality, and Business)