Jasjit Saimbi
GCSE Coursework: East is East
East Is East is the debut film of Irishman Damien O'Donnell, it is written by Ayub Khan-Din. East Is East stars Om Puri, he plays George Khan, a Pakistani immigrant to Salford, Manchester. It focuses on the family of proud Pakistani and chip shop owner George Khan and his British born wife Ella. Although born in Britain George wants to raise his children in the traditions of Islam. The film shows the results of what happens when two cultures collide.
It is set in the1970s and, back in his native country, a war is raging with India. Thousands of miles away, George is trying to install Pakistani traditions in his six sons and one daughter, a task made difficult by their immersion in English culture and by the fact that their mother Ella, is British. In fact, even though he won't admit it, George is a hypocrite. 25 years ago, he left Pakistan to come to England to make his fortune. Instead of bringing his first wife with him, he left her behind and married Ella. Now, the couple operates a chip shop together. But, despite his own poor example, George is determined to make his children into good Pakistanis, even if it's physically painful. The problem is that they see themselves as English and are angered by their father's restrictions. So, when George isn't looking, his kids experiment in Catholicism, eat bacon and sausages, and fool around with white girls. His daughter, Meena is a tomboy who likes playing soccer. College student Saleem pretends to be studying engineering when he's actually an art major. Only one of the middle children, Maneer, holds Islam in high regard. When Nazir, the eldest son, rejects an arranged marriage at the altar, his father disowns him. But, despite that disaster, George moves forward with plans to marry off Tariq and Abdul to obedient, homely Pakistani girls. Those plans provoke a conflict that threatens the family's already shaky stability.
