"Analyse the representation of Multicultural Britain in the films Bend It Like Beckham and East is East"

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Media assignment 2 – Alex Taylor Form 10A

“Analyse the representation of Multicultural Britain in the films Bend It Like Beckham and East is East”

In this essay I will be studying the two highly successful films East is East and Bend It Like Beckham. As the title suggests I must “analyse the representation of a Multicultural Britain”. The word “representation” within the film industry is used to describe what the film maker is trying to make the audience feel, think and see – basically what the director wanted to achieve from the outset. The two films I will be analysing both concentrate on the problems and situations which arise when two cultures, Asian and Anglo British, are thrown together. The messages and values throughout the films reach quite a deep level although Bend It Like Beckham is a lighter film overall, a coming of age feel good film whereas East is East does not offer simple answers. However humour constantly counteracts any depressing scenes; the best example being the comedy scenes following the husband’s explosive temper and violent attack on his wife in East is East, a scene I will refer to again later. At such an important point in the film, the filmmaker purposely decided to keep the mood very solemn before the comic relief of the next scene. As is the case in sitcoms the narrative takes the form of a starting equilibrium before coming to disequilibrium until finally returning to a calm equilibrium.

What is a Multicultural Britain? To me it connotes a nation which has willingly accepted people from different countries and cultures, and which believes in a wide range of religions and beliefs. Britain has always tried to integrate different cultures into its own society. Multicultural Britain came to prominence in the late 70’s; but has only recently been accepted and welcomed as part of our culture. The phrase literally means to have many cultures or ethnic groups within society. Today, people from around the world come to live here in Britain, bringing their traditions and beliefs, new, interesting ways of life and food. A good example of this would be the Indian culture, which has quickly made a big mark upon the public. Indian food is now the favoured takeaway throughout the whole country, ironically beating the so called “British classic” of fish and chips by a large margin. This has particular significance in East is East because despite his determination to head a good Pakistani family, George in East is East is running ‘George’s English Chippy’ with his English second wife, Ella, which brings a chuckle and is part of the film maker’s representation of George as a hypocrite who does not lead by example. East is East is set in 1971 and Bend It Like Beckham in the early 21st Century. The mixing of so many cultures over time has drastically improved the racist beliefs harboured by many 30 years ago; and the new generation especially, sees nothing wrong with having mixed race friends who have parents of two separate ethnic groups. I feel proud to be part of a nation branded “multicultural” where people from different countries feel they can fit into our society whilst keeping some of their national identity.      

In this essay I will be studying how a Multicultural Britain is portrayed in both of these films; first by examining them separately and then by contrasting them.

Bend It Like Beckham was a surprise hit in 2002 with its tongue in cheek humour and intriguing storyline. The film was the most recent in a long line of Anglo – Asian comedy dramas produced by Indian born director Gurinder Chadha (Bhaji on the Beach and Bride and Prejudice). The film follows the awakening of a girl named Jess from the Nagra family. Jess has wanted to played football all her life; however she has always found that her sex and her mother’s strict Sikh beliefs have held her back. These problems are evident from the opening scene. We are taken to a Champions League match between Anderlecht and Manchester United, in which Jess’s idol, David Beckham, is playing. She dreams she is playing along side him as well scoring from a typical cross from the England skipper. Whilst being a funny scene, it speaks volumes towards the film’s forward thinking and positive attitude to multiculturalism. As of yet there are no established Asian players, let alone Asian females within the Premiership. This multicultural attitude is maintained after the match when famous TV pundits such as Gary Lineker and Alan Hansen comment on her great performance, not worrying about her bare legs and ethnic background. Alas, her mother still manages to get her religious and moral views across when interviewed and literally spoils Jess’ dream, by typically stating: “who’d want a girl who plays football all day but can't make chapattis?” Up against such values and comparison with her older sister, Pinkie, considered a model Indian girl who is about to have a traditional wedding, Jess is confined to playing her football in the park. Enter Jules, an English girl not into boys but football and captain of the local girls’ team, Hounslow Harriers. This hobby splits her parents - whilst her dad is overjoyed, her mother finds it extremely worrying. She works in a ladies’ underwear shop and would rather Jules was more interested in boys and like her, the latest fashions. She feels left out of this father daughter and football-orientated relationship and tries to form a girly relationship with Jules. This desperation can clearly be seen when she takes her daughter to choose a bra, Jules refuses to try the provocative one and instead heads straight towards the sporty section. Jess experiences the same problem when being fitted for a dress for her sisters wedding. The film therefore shows that these girls from different cultures have a lot in common, not least, parent issues but it clearly shows the differences between the two families because Jess, unlike Jules has no choice. The views of Jules’ father about the footballing subject are expressed during an episode with her mother, “To be quite honest if she would rather play football than go after boys it’s fine with me” although his wife hits back with the point that “There’s a reason why Sporty Spice is the only one without a boyfriend.”

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Jules leads Jess to the Harriers after watching her play in the park with her Asian friends, a scene which seems to me as if she is almost the white girl looking in on a different culture. Jess tries to explain her family difficulties about girls playing football to her team mates who tell her “That’s a bit backwards” but she immediately says “It’s just culture, that’s all.”  The club is where the love interest within the film is found; Joe, the young coach. From the beginning Jess lies to Joe stating her parents have allowed her to play, ...

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