OAK CREEK, Wis. —Oak Creek is preparing to host the world premiere of a film about the Sikh temple shooting.
Just a few days after the temple shooting, film makers arrived in Oak Creek to capture the images of horror and the outpouring of support, all in an effort to stomp out hate crimes.
The documentary "Waking in Oak Creek" is set to premiere Thursday evening in front of hundreds of people, including families who lost loved ones in the Sikh temple shooting.
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Pardeep Kaleka is a prominent voice in the film, speaking out on hate crimes, inspired by his father and temple President Satwant Singh Kaleka's, death. He was one of six killed on Aug. 5, 2012.
"We need to all see it together. This is a community thing. We are not special. This could have happened to anyone that day," Pardeep Kaleka said.
Kaleka's family, his mother, and others from the temple will watch the premiere at the Oak Creek Community Center.
California production company Not in Our Town made the film.
The crew arrived in Oak Creek shortly after the shooting and spent months conducting interviews. It's all been condensed into 35 minutes.
"This is a town that was awakened by a tragedy, and they are an inspiration not just to each other but people across the country," Patrice O'Neill said.
A brother and sister who warned people inside the temple are featured in the film.
Hero police officers, Lt. Brian Murphy and Sam Lunda, are central in the film. Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi said the film brings the emotions flooding back. "I did watch it last Saturday, and all the things you felt back then, I felt it all come out of me," Scaffidi said.
The film will start at 7 p.m. at the Oak Creek Community Center on Thursday. Tickets are free but limited. Scaffidi plans on holding more screenings later this month and is working to show the film online.
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Oak Creek Documentary Premiere Time