DIVIDED WE FALL: AMERICANS IN THE AFTERMATH
Kaur’s first film Divided We Fall (2008) with director Sharat Raju toured in 200 U.S. cities, won a dozen international awards, and became known as the go-to documentary on post-9/11 hate crimes. The Divided We Fall Campaign inspired dialogues on 100+ campuses and communities in the 2008 and 2016 election seasons.
Divided We Fall is a critically acclaimed documentary film on hate crimes in the aftermath of 9/11. Told through the stories of Sikh Americans, the film offers vital historical context to the current crisis of hate and nationalism in the U.S. — and how we can change it through the ethic of Revolutionary Love.
Other Awards
Official Commendation from the State of California presented by Lieutenant Governor Cruz Bustamante at the film’s California premiere on November 14, 2006
Official Comendation from the City of Clovis, California, presented by the Mayor of Clovis at the film’s Clovis premiere
Mai Bhago Spirit of Baisaki Award 2008 given in recognition of outstanding service to the Sikh and global communities by Sikh Dharma International in Los Angeles, California on April 6, 2008
Centennial Foundation Seva Award 2007 presented to Valarie Kaur in honor of her community service and leadership and contribution as a filmmaker by the Centennial Foundation in Toronto, Canada on April 14, 2007
Sikh American Heritage Award 2007 in recognition of Valarie Kaur and Sharat Raju for bringing mainstream awareness of Sikh and South Asians and their struggle in the post-9/11 world as seen in their film Divided We Fall. Presented by the Sikh Council on Religion & Education (SCORE) in Washington, DC on June 12, 2007
Sikh Heritage Gala Miri-Piri Award 2007 presented to Valarie Kaur for her contribution as a filmmaker, leader, and scholar by the Sikh Center of Orange County in Anaheim, CA on November 16, 2007
Punjabi American Festical Service Award 2007 presented to Valarie Kaur in honor of her exemplary dedication in producing the educational documentary Divided We Fall from the Punjabi American Heritage Society in Yuba City, CA
ABOUT THE FILM
Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath
THE AWARD-WINNING FILM BY SHARAT RAJU & VALARIE KAUR
2008 | 90 min | Color | U.S.A.
A college student sets out across America in the aftermath of 9/11, camera in hand, to document hate violence against Sikh and Muslim American communities. From the still-shocked streets of Ground Zero to the desert towns of the American west, her journey confronts the forces unleashed in a time of national crisis–racism and religion, fear and forgiveness–until she finds the heart of America: halfway around the world.
Winner of more than a dozen international awards, Divided We Fall “is an illuminating meditation upon what it has meant to be ‘one of us’ since September 11″ (Harold Koh, Dean of Yale Law School). On tour, the film has inspired dialogues in 300+ universities, colleges, festivals, houses of worship, corporations, and schools around the world. It is celebrated as “a starting point for the new dialogue on race and religion that is essential to America’s future” (Diana L. Eck, Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies at Harvard University and director of The Pluralism Project).
Divided We Fall: Americans in the Aftermath is the first feature-length independent documentary film about hate crimes since September 11, 2001. It offers vital context to today’s resurgence of hate and violence and inspires ways to respond with #RevolutionaryLove.
“Stunning. Could not have arrived at a more significant time in our nation’s history.”
Philip Zimbardo, Author, The Lucifer Effect
“Inspires us to become who we believe we are.”
Lawrence Lessig, Professor, Harvard Law School
“An illuminating meditation on what it has meant to be ‘one of us’ in the days since September 11.”
Harold Koh, Yale Law School
“A starting point for the new dialogue on race and religion that is essential for America’s future.”
Diana L. Eck, Professor, Harvard University
“A film that is bringing vicious intolerance aimed at innocent people out in the open.”
CNN
SHOW THE FILM & HOST A DIALOGUE
Join hundreds of classrooms, campuses, and communities across the U.S. Show the film and host a dialogue. Our lesson plans and materials will equip you to combat hate with Revolutionary Love.
Screening and Dialogue Guide
The award-winning film Divided We Fall chronicles stories of Sikh and Muslim Americans who have responded to hate and violence with love and optimism since 9/11. It provides context to the current escalation of hate and serves a source of hope.
Our Screening and Dialogue package contains everything you need to host a screening and meaningful dialogue. You can use it to screen the film and host a conversation in your classroom, house of worship, local public library, community center or even living room.
Download our Curriculum Guides
If you are an educator who wants to teach the film in your high school or college classroom, you can find the lesson plans below.
“We need stories to break open our hearts, bind old wounds, and build the bridges that change the world.” – Valarie Kaur
