Families.
Families are messy, complicated, confusing – no matter which part of the world or what generation one is born into. Perhaps for many it’s the family, that unit of supposed safety and belonging, which becomes the biggest catalyst for personal change and inevitably shakes up the boundaries of identity.
Ayub Khan Din’s play East is East, currently performed at Trafalgar Studios in London, is a high intensity drama exploring the vulnerability and strength of family and finding oneself as an individual.
Explored in particular is the South Asian Diaspora.
George Khan (Ayub Khan Din) is the father and the head of the house. He is a somewhat intimidating Muslim father obsessed with instilling Pakistani culture and roots into his half-English, half Muslim children.
We learn that George emigrated from India to the UK in 1936. He describes how he struggled, how he did not belong but eventually reached success.
Families are messy, complicated, confusing – no matter which part of the world or what generation one is born into. Perhaps for many it’s the family, that unit of supposed safety and belonging, which becomes the biggest catalyst for personal change and inevitably shakes up the boundaries of identity.
Ayub Khan Din’s play East is East, currently performed at Trafalgar Studios in London, is a high intensity drama exploring the vulnerability and strength of family and finding oneself as an individual.
Explored in particular is the South Asian Diaspora.
George Khan (Ayub Khan Din) is the father and the head of the house. He is a somewhat intimidating Muslim father obsessed with instilling Pakistani culture and roots into his half-English, half Muslim children.
We learn that George emigrated from India to the UK in 1936. He describes how he struggled, how he did not belong but eventually reached success.
- 11/15/2014
- by Aashi Gahlot
- Bollyspice
As Bradford's National Media Museum celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema, Irna Qureshi looks back at how immigrant mill and foundry workers from across the north used to come to the city to catch a Bollywood film on their day off
Remember that famous scene in East is East where George Khan's family drive from Salford to a Bradford cinema just to watch a Bollywood film? Well, they weren't alone ...
During the 1950s and 60s, immigrant mill and foundry workers from as far away as Newcastle and Sheffield came to Bradford to catch an Indian film on their day off. Bradford was one of the earliest centres of Indian film screenings for the south Asian community in Britain.
My dad's brother, Mohammed Ayub, was one of the men behind these screenings. He was still a teenager when he arrived in Bradford in 1950. His father was already settled here and my dad followed soon after.
Remember that famous scene in East is East where George Khan's family drive from Salford to a Bradford cinema just to watch a Bollywood film? Well, they weren't alone ...
During the 1950s and 60s, immigrant mill and foundry workers from as far away as Newcastle and Sheffield came to Bradford to catch an Indian film on their day off. Bradford was one of the earliest centres of Indian film screenings for the south Asian community in Britain.
My dad's brother, Mohammed Ayub, was one of the men behind these screenings. He was still a teenager when he arrived in Bradford in 1950. His father was already settled here and my dad followed soon after.
- 5/17/2013
- by Irna Qureshi
- The Guardian - Film News
The Death of Multiculturalism
It was in 1999 that East is East came out. From then until now a lot has changed. At different points in the last two years Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel and – very recently – David Cameron have announced and appropriately mourned the death of multiculturalism in Europe. The emergence of the political and the religious right on the back of the recent economic meltdown has stress-tested the entire continent which used to take immense pride in its liberal ethos. Add to that the bright and resilient Arab Spring, which continues to demonstrate to the west that Islam and democracy can coexist, forcing even the United States to reconsider its foreign policy in the Middle-East. And finally, the nebulous state that, our neighbour, Pakistan is finding itself in. In the light of all these developments I was hoping that West is West, being a rather belated sequel, will at...
It was in 1999 that East is East came out. From then until now a lot has changed. At different points in the last two years Nicolas Sarkozy, Angela Merkel and – very recently – David Cameron have announced and appropriately mourned the death of multiculturalism in Europe. The emergence of the political and the religious right on the back of the recent economic meltdown has stress-tested the entire continent which used to take immense pride in its liberal ethos. Add to that the bright and resilient Arab Spring, which continues to demonstrate to the west that Islam and democracy can coexist, forcing even the United States to reconsider its foreign policy in the Middle-East. And finally, the nebulous state that, our neighbour, Pakistan is finding itself in. In the light of all these developments I was hoping that West is West, being a rather belated sequel, will at...
- 6/11/2011
- by Faiz Ullah
- DearCinema.com
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Rarely does he like to break his silence in front of the paparazzi, and when it comes to his personal life, veteran actor Om Puri, 60, doesn’t like talking about it at all. “Don’t ask me about my personal life. I wouldn’t like to talk about it,” says the actor, who is bagging praises for his latest British flick, West Is West — a sequel to the critically acclaimed East Is East (1999). However, one can’t fail to admit the similarity between his life and that of his movie character George Khan, as both of them go back to their first ...
- 6/10/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Starring: Om Puri, Linda Bassett, Ila Arun, Introducing Aqib Khan
Directed by Andy deEmmony
Rating: *** ½
Twelve years have passed since East Is East the cult British film on the blithe angst of the Asian diaspora in England. In the sequel,which let me quickly add, is a decent engaging and warm follow-up to the original film, the time-passage is condensed into a far more manageable time frame. The captivating device whereby we suspend our disbelief about the characters' aging process and look at them 12 years hence as though just 4 years have passed, works gloriously to the narrative's advantage.
So here we have the insufferably boorish selfish and intolerant Pakistani-Britisher Jahangir alias George Khan. For those who came in late George who's married to an English woman has sent his eldest son to get culturally accustomed in Pakistan. Now it's the younger son Sajid's turn. The elder one (Emir Marwa) has blended in nicely,...
Directed by Andy deEmmony
Rating: *** ½
Twelve years have passed since East Is East the cult British film on the blithe angst of the Asian diaspora in England. In the sequel,which let me quickly add, is a decent engaging and warm follow-up to the original film, the time-passage is condensed into a far more manageable time frame. The captivating device whereby we suspend our disbelief about the characters' aging process and look at them 12 years hence as though just 4 years have passed, works gloriously to the narrative's advantage.
So here we have the insufferably boorish selfish and intolerant Pakistani-Britisher Jahangir alias George Khan. For those who came in late George who's married to an English woman has sent his eldest son to get culturally accustomed in Pakistan. Now it's the younger son Sajid's turn. The elder one (Emir Marwa) has blended in nicely,...
- 6/10/2011
- Bollyspice
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In a dimly lit lounge, the man with many faces Om Puri gives us the lowdown on West is West, the latest instalment of the life and times of George Khan. 1999's runaway internationally desi hit East is East brought us closer to George Khan and his rather large family."It was wonderful to visit George Khan again," says the actor, "George Khan from East is East was a one-dimensional character. He was an angry old man."East is East was directed by Damien O'Donnell, while this film sees the cast team up with Andy DeEmmony. "It was wonderful working with Damien, ...
- 6/8/2011
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
In East is East, Om Puri moved to London from Pakistan, abandoning his wife for a British woman. But the veteran actor insists that there is no similarity between him and his reel life character, George Khan. In West is West, the sequel to the 1999 British comedy-drama, his character returns to his wife after 30 years in a bid to drill traditional values into his British son. He then feels regret at seeing his first wife’s dilapidated condition. Om says, “George feels appalled and awkward and decides to build a home for them.” While he doesn’t return to his ...
- 5/27/2011
- Hindustan Times - Celebrity
In East is East, Om Puri moved to London from Pakistan, abandoning his wife for a British woman. But the veteran actor insists that there is no similarity between him and his reel life character, George Khan. In West is West, the sequel to the 1999 British comedy-drama, his character returns to his wife after 30 years in a bid to drill traditional values into his British son. He then feels regret at seeing his first wife’s dilapidated condition. Om says, “George feels appalled and awkward and decides to build a home for them.” While he doesn’t return to his ...
- 5/27/2011
- Hindustan Times - Celebrity
In East is East, Om Puri moved to London from Pakistan, abandoning his wife for a British woman. But the veteran actor insists that there is no similarity between him and his reel life character, George Khan. In West is West, the sequel to the 1999 British comedy-drama, his character returns to his wife after 30 years in a bid to drill traditional values into his British son. He then feels regret at seeing his first wife’s dilapidated condition. Om says, “George feels appalled and awkward and decides to build a home for them.” While he doesn’t return to his ...
- 5/27/2011
- Hindustan Times - Celebrity
Following in the gigantic wake of East Is East which remains one of the most critically acclaimed and internationally well-received British independent films, West Is West is a surprisingly entertaining if slightly unrealized sequel.
The new and improved 15 year old Sajid Khan emerges with spectacular ease in Aqib Khan and his bald adolescent contempt for, well, just about everything. School is simply a reluctant game of cat and mouse (where he’s always the mouse) whilst home is ruled by the ever-turbulent dictator George Khan. Sajid is therefore stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place in 1975 Salford and rebels like any disillusioned teenager would: petty crime, filthy language and a quiet but seething resentment of the world, East as well as West.
In a final attempt to discipline the boy and awaken his cultural heritage, George leaves his long-suffering but devoted wife Ella in charge of the family...
The new and improved 15 year old Sajid Khan emerges with spectacular ease in Aqib Khan and his bald adolescent contempt for, well, just about everything. School is simply a reluctant game of cat and mouse (where he’s always the mouse) whilst home is ruled by the ever-turbulent dictator George Khan. Sajid is therefore stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place in 1975 Salford and rebels like any disillusioned teenager would: petty crime, filthy language and a quiet but seething resentment of the world, East as well as West.
In a final attempt to discipline the boy and awaken his cultural heritage, George leaves his long-suffering but devoted wife Ella in charge of the family...
- 2/25/2011
- by Rebecca-Jane Joseph
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
It’s been more than ten years since George Khan first appeared, effing and blinding on to the big screen in East Is East and now he’s back.
Om Puri has taken up his role again as the over-bearing British Pakistani father and Bradford chippy-owner in West is West but with a few big differences.
HeyUGuys caught up with the actor in the chambers of The Courthouse Hotel where he told us all about George’s guilty past as we delved into a few of the secrets to be unveiled in West Is West.
What made you want to come back to the project?
Well, it’s a fascinating and relevant story. East Is East was a successful film and there was no reason why there should not be a sequel. And there was money in it from a producer’s point of view, although I’m not a producer on the film.
Om Puri has taken up his role again as the over-bearing British Pakistani father and Bradford chippy-owner in West is West but with a few big differences.
HeyUGuys caught up with the actor in the chambers of The Courthouse Hotel where he told us all about George’s guilty past as we delved into a few of the secrets to be unveiled in West Is West.
What made you want to come back to the project?
Well, it’s a fascinating and relevant story. East Is East was a successful film and there was no reason why there should not be a sequel. And there was money in it from a producer’s point of view, although I’m not a producer on the film.
- 2/24/2011
- by Rebecca-Jane Joseph
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
British films have worked hard to tackle the sometimes thorny issue of multi-culturalism in the past year or two. Some have been high-minded (London River), some satirical (The Infidel), and some have planted a foot in both camps (Four Lions). If you had to pigeonhole it, West is West fits into the second bracket, although as anyone who caught its 1999 predecessor will testify, it's unlikely to be shy of tackling the tough stuff too.Five years on (in plot terms) from East Is East and the story picks up in the mid-'70s with growling patriach George Khan (Om Puri) as much of a bulldozer as ever. As this clip demonstrates, the Salfordsider is still fighting fiercely to protect the traditions he loves.This time it's the turn of his youngest son, the one-time hoodie'd Sajid, to bear the brunt of his domineering attempts to keep his family on the straight and narrow.
- 2/8/2011
- EmpireOnline
Usually around this time of the year we list maybe 10 or 20 films that we think are as absolute ‘Must See’s’ for what the next 12 months of cinema has to offer us but as the clock is ticking ever closer to midnight on 2010, we thought we would challenge ourselves a little further this time around. The question I posed to the Owf staff recently was… can Cinema in 2011 produce enough ‘Must See’ films to hit 52, which would ratio out to be just one film per week? That’s all we are hopeful for here… just one film every Friday that justifies us parting with our ever increasingly important cash in these tough economic times.
Did we manage to find 52? Kind of.
There’s certainly 52 films listed here but once we got to around 30, the whole thing became a struggle and we had to fill it out disappointingly with the usual array of over-budgeted summer spectacles,...
Did we manage to find 52? Kind of.
There’s certainly 52 films listed here but once we got to around 30, the whole thing became a struggle and we had to fill it out disappointingly with the usual array of over-budgeted summer spectacles,...
- 12/25/2010
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
George VI's stammer, 70s Glasgow, Pakistan 30 years ago – all fine, but is period drama the best British film-makers can do?
Although it prides itself on showing the "best films from around the world", this year's London film festival has showcased the broadest spectrum of British film-making for years. Irony thus abounds: the UK Film Council's demise and the 15% funding cuts – announced exactly halfway through its festival – to the British Film Institute's future budget, have thrown the domestic industry into confusion and panic.
I would argue, however, that the enforced reshuffle in funding now means we have the chance to fashion a model of film culture for the 21st century, where creativity and productivity are harnessed to encourage both talent and audiences. The range of films at Lff shows wit, invention, great acting and great passion for cinema but what are we going to do with it?
The King's Speech...
Although it prides itself on showing the "best films from around the world", this year's London film festival has showcased the broadest spectrum of British film-making for years. Irony thus abounds: the UK Film Council's demise and the 15% funding cuts – announced exactly halfway through its festival – to the British Film Institute's future budget, have thrown the domestic industry into confusion and panic.
I would argue, however, that the enforced reshuffle in funding now means we have the chance to fashion a model of film culture for the 21st century, where creativity and productivity are harnessed to encourage both talent and audiences. The range of films at Lff shows wit, invention, great acting and great passion for cinema but what are we going to do with it?
The King's Speech...
- 10/23/2010
- by Jason Solomons
- The Guardian - Film News
This belated sequel to East Is East provides chuckles but fails to get to grips with the troubles facing British Muslims and Pakistan
It's been more than a decade since the Ayub Khan-Din-scripted East Is East liberated British-Asian cinema from the furrowed-brow earnestness that had largely been its lot. It managed to combine an effervescent cheerfulness with simple but effective points about how ethnic identity changes across successive generations of immigrants. No doubt with one eye on current political debate, this belated sequel looks to develop the theme and provide context to the arguments about immigration.
The first film was set in 1971; this one takes place five years later. Almost all of the principal cast has reassembled: Om Puri is patriarch George Khan, baffled fury personified; Linda Bassett is his English second wife, Ella; Emil Marwa and Jimi Mistry are among his brood of Salford-raised sons (the latter, though,...
It's been more than a decade since the Ayub Khan-Din-scripted East Is East liberated British-Asian cinema from the furrowed-brow earnestness that had largely been its lot. It managed to combine an effervescent cheerfulness with simple but effective points about how ethnic identity changes across successive generations of immigrants. No doubt with one eye on current political debate, this belated sequel looks to develop the theme and provide context to the arguments about immigration.
The first film was set in 1971; this one takes place five years later. Almost all of the principal cast has reassembled: Om Puri is patriarch George Khan, baffled fury personified; Linda Bassett is his English second wife, Ella; Emil Marwa and Jimi Mistry are among his brood of Salford-raised sons (the latter, though,...
- 10/19/2010
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
.East Is East., the heartwarming story of an Asian family settled in London, will end as a trilogy, says producer Leslee Udwin who released part two .West Is West. last month..I knew there was trilogy and it took 10 years for Ayub (writer Ayub Khan-Din) to deliver the script of the second part. Now I know there is a third part to this film. I don.t want to talk about the plot because they have to happen with the integrity of the process. And anyway, I don.t want to give things away now,. Udwin said at the Abu Dhabi film festival.She says that the story.s setting would depend on the writer Ayub, but if she will have her way she will like it to be placed in Britain..What I want to see is Pakistani characters coming back . coming for the first time to this strange society in UK.
- 10/17/2010
- Filmicafe
As ever, the London Film Festival plays host to dozens of films. But which ones are worthy of your attention? Here’s Michael’s round-up of worthy 25 candidates...
For film buffs residing in or around the UK's capital, the back end of October means one thing: the London Film Festival. As always, this year boasts a supreme selection of big films from the world over, even if 2010's line-up is a bit lacking in international premieres.
Anyway, chances are you haven't had a recent holiday to Toronto or the French Riviera, so we've combed through the consistently astounding programme to bring up 25 films that, if you can get your hands on tickets (no mean feat), you should check out.
Never Let Me Go
The opening night film is the new feature from Mark Romanek, noted music video auteur and director of the 2002 cult thriller, One Hour Photo. This flick is...
For film buffs residing in or around the UK's capital, the back end of October means one thing: the London Film Festival. As always, this year boasts a supreme selection of big films from the world over, even if 2010's line-up is a bit lacking in international premieres.
Anyway, chances are you haven't had a recent holiday to Toronto or the French Riviera, so we've combed through the consistently astounding programme to bring up 25 films that, if you can get your hands on tickets (no mean feat), you should check out.
Never Let Me Go
The opening night film is the new feature from Mark Romanek, noted music video auteur and director of the 2002 cult thriller, One Hour Photo. This flick is...
- 10/6/2010
- Den of Geek
Here comes the 35th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, and the line-up thus far of Galas and Special Presentations (that is code for High Profile Films) is looking quite stellar. In this first taster, there are new films from Kim Ji-Woon, Andrew Lau (and not even in the Midnight Madness portion, those films have not been announced yet!) Stephen Frears, Mark Romanek, Darren Aronfosky, Michael Winterbottom, Sylvain Chomet, Mike Leigh, François Ozon, Tran Anh Hung, Guillaume Canet, John Cameron Mitchell, Danis Tanovic, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Julian Schnabel and Im Sang-Soo. Please sirs, I want some more!
No signs of Terrence Malick yet, but fingers crossed!
Full Press Release from Tiff:
"On the occasion of our 35th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce this selection of important and notable films," says Piers Handling, Director and CEO of Tiff. "The richness and diversity of this year's Galas and Special...
No signs of Terrence Malick yet, but fingers crossed!
Full Press Release from Tiff:
"On the occasion of our 35th anniversary, we are thrilled to announce this selection of important and notable films," says Piers Handling, Director and CEO of Tiff. "The richness and diversity of this year's Galas and Special...
- 7/27/2010
- Screen Anarchy
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywoodnews.com: Attention shifts this morning from San Diego (and the Comic-Con gathering) to Canada, where representatives for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival unveiled its lineup of Gala Premieres and Special Presentations.
According to this morning’s announcement, Tiff — which runs Sept. 9-19 — boast world premieres of new films by Robert Redford, Michael Winterbottom, Guillaume Canet, John Cameron Mitchell, Kiran Rao, Mike Mills and Andrucha Waddington.
In addition, critically acclaimed filmmakers Woody Allen, Sylvain Chomet, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Tran Anh Hung, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Mike Leigh, Julian Schnabel and Im Sang-Soo will make their North American premieres in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Galas and Special Presentations announced today feature on-screen performances by Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Aamir Khan, Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard, Clive Owen, Colin Firth, Juliette Lewis, James McAvoy, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Christopher Plummer, Natalie Portman, Om Puri, Ryan Reynolds,...
Hollywoodnews.com: Attention shifts this morning from San Diego (and the Comic-Con gathering) to Canada, where representatives for this year’s Toronto International Film Festival unveiled its lineup of Gala Premieres and Special Presentations.
According to this morning’s announcement, Tiff — which runs Sept. 9-19 — boast world premieres of new films by Robert Redford, Michael Winterbottom, Guillaume Canet, John Cameron Mitchell, Kiran Rao, Mike Mills and Andrucha Waddington.
In addition, critically acclaimed filmmakers Woody Allen, Sylvain Chomet, Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, Tran Anh Hung, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Mike Leigh, Julian Schnabel and Im Sang-Soo will make their North American premieres in Toronto. Meanwhile, the Galas and Special Presentations announced today feature on-screen performances by Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Aamir Khan, Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Marion Cotillard, Clive Owen, Colin Firth, Juliette Lewis, James McAvoy, Ewan McGregor, Helen Mirren, Edward Norton, Christopher Plummer, Natalie Portman, Om Puri, Ryan Reynolds,...
- 7/27/2010
- by Sean O'Connell
- Hollywoodnews.com
The Toronto International Film Festival will be celebrating its 35th year this September and it has announced today the first batch of big premieres. Some highlights include Darren Aronofsky‘s Black Swan, Robert Redford‘s The Conspirator, John Madden‘s The Debt, Tom Hooper‘s The King’s Speech, and Mark Romanek‘s Never Let Me Go. Check out the initial line-up below.
Galas
The Bang Bang Club. Steven Silver, Canada/South Africa World Premiere The Bang Bang Club was the name given to four young photographers, Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and Joao Silva, whose photographs captured the final bloody days of white rule in South Africa and the final demise of apartheid. The film tells the remarkable and sometimes harrowing story of these young men – and the extraordinary extremes they went to in order to capture their pictures. The film stars Ryan Phillippe, Malin Akerman, Taylor Kitsch,...
Galas
The Bang Bang Club. Steven Silver, Canada/South Africa World Premiere The Bang Bang Club was the name given to four young photographers, Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and Joao Silva, whose photographs captured the final bloody days of white rule in South Africa and the final demise of apartheid. The film tells the remarkable and sometimes harrowing story of these young men – and the extraordinary extremes they went to in order to capture their pictures. The film stars Ryan Phillippe, Malin Akerman, Taylor Kitsch,...
- 7/27/2010
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Pix has lined up films for the 15 August Independence Day weekend.The movies that are lined up are Gandhi, East is East, My Beautiful Laundrette and Being Cyrus specially customized for the entire family. The movies will be aired from 10 am onwards.East is East will be aired at 10 am. The movie is based on a Salford fish-and-chip shop owner George Khan who expects his family to follow his strict Pakistani Muslim ways.The biography of Mahatma Gandhi, the lawyer who became the famed leader of the Indian revolts against the British through his ...
- 8/15/2009
- BusinessofCinema
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