East Is East

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Audience Member This bitter-sweet tale of the life of a working class, mixed heritage family growing up in 1970s Manchester is keenly observed and as an accurate feel. Om Puri cuts a tragic figure as George Khan, a Pakistani man married to a white woman, Ella (Linda Bassett) and struggling with his own cultural identity as he raises his kids in a back-to-back terrace at a time of racial unrest. He is a man of traditions and values from another time and continent while his kids are wanting to break free from the stifling restraints of a patriarchal system and their own poverty. The movie skilfully blends the story threads of the lives of the various siblings, parents and neighbours but it is George who takes centre stage and we see his life unravel as he realises that he is the one left behind in a rapidly changing world. This is a tale that is still as relevant today as when it was made back in the 90s and it has a lot to teach about tolerance, acceptance, love and the importance of letting things go. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a British classic of my childhood. A story of a clash of cultures and beliefs both within a family, and the larger world outside. George Kahn. A proud Pakistani Muslim man living in Salford in the 1970s with his Lancashire born and bred wife and his mixed kids. All of which are anything but traditional well behaved Pakistani children, as George would like. No... demands. And it drives George round the bend. Whilst George loses his temper and becomes a tyrant to his own family, it's his long suffering wife who holds the family together by practicing the art of compromise. Despite dealing with a couple serious issues, this film is filled with great cynical and funny Northen (English) humour. Abit crude at times but real. Dealing with issues like immigration, differing cultures, arranged marriage, identity crisis, even domestic violence. It jokes about almost all this. Apart from the domestic violence scene. Which is taken very seriously in the story and is a powerful and shocking scene acted brilliantly. But in our British tradition, it finds the humour and light heartedness in even the grimest of sectors and situations. All in all, it's a big thumbs up for East is East. Mrs. Shah: "I will never allow my daughters to marry into this jungly family of half-breeds. Ella Khan: Well they may be half-bred, but at least they're not friggin' inbred like those two monstrosities." Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member British Pakistani family struggle with integration through generational change. Society breaks down and morals must be renewed. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Superbly real depiction of a clash of cultures both within a family and in the wider outside world. Though set in the 70s to accentuate the cultural diversity, it remains poignant and impressively highlights the difficulty of mixed race kids in establishing an identity they are comfortable with in a world of competing peer and parental pressures. The icing on the cake is the genuine warmth and humour laced into the plot. It hasn't aged a day either, still fresh. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review zapata l Straightforward and honest social commentary about how certain cultures conflict so much, a reconciliation may just not be possible. Funny and original script, mixed with superb acting. Absolutely loved it. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Movie night with Iris. Not seen this film in years. Stands up well to the test of time, and really gets the 70s look spot. Pleased that Iris loved it. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Read all reviews

East Is East

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