MovieChat Forums > Shades of Ray (2008) Discussion > This is my life!

This is my life!

posted 13 years ago by lovelostthegun
1 reply | jump to latest

I'm half-Pakistani and half-white as well. My father is Pakistani and my mom is white. Much like Ray's life I have always lived in "shades" and have been mistaken for so many other races. I'm so excited that someone has made a movie that speaks to people like me. My father gave me the same talk that he gave Ray in the beginning of the movie, I don't eat pork, I struggle with relationships because of my mixed race etc.

I really just can't say enough how anyone who is mixed, particularly with some sort of Asian/Middle-Eastern, NEEDS to watch this movie.

I wish I could track down Jaffar Mahmood and shake his hand.

OK enough gushing about my cultural connection with this movie.

As a film, it is hands down solid and endearing. Perhaps I am biased, but I thought the acting was splendid and the script was very modern, yet classic.

I can't wait to see what else Jaffar Mahmood is capable of.

[–] momo92 12 years ago

I completely agree with you!

I'm Dominican, Portuguese, and British, my father's (the Portuguese and British side) family is Catholic and my mother's family Methodist, and I've been confused for Jewish, Middle Eastern, Italian, Brazilian, Spaniard, Philippino, and White.

My parents have always been open to my dating any race but both of them have made little comments here and there about being with a "White guy" or with a "Dominican guy."

I really related to Ray when he said that he's not sure which side he is. I've often thought, "Am I Hispanic or am I White?" Also when he went into the auditions and one director said "you're too ethnic" and another said "you're too white." That's happened to me my whole life!! I was in a play where I played an Irish girl and multiple commented that I didn't "fit in" or "look like" my stage family or that I was just "too dark." And then I've had Hispanic look at me and say, "YOU'RE Dominican?"

I'm currently not dating anyone but most of the guys I've dated in the past have been Hispanic. I don't know why? I'm not against white guys, that's just the way it's been. And I worry if White guys see me as "too ethnic." But I guess we'll just see what happens.

I think that this is a great film and has a great story that really hit home for me.

Anyone of mixed heritage should see this film!!