It's Personal


Right first of all, I'm a Bangladeshi born British Asian, I came here when I was 1, and I currently live in Brick Lane. This portrayal of a young women's life is not a reflection on the entire community. However, it is more of a personal experience of ones life.

My Nan passed away when my mother was only 13 and then married off to a British Asian man at the age of 16. She lived her life in the background of my father under very similar circumstances. She actually has a "Brother" sewing machine and did sew just so us children would have a better life.

There are a great many similarities that parralel her life with the character of Nazneen and it was shocking to think what she went through and how her life has been shaped by such similar circumstances (exluding the adultery). My Father has always had the same mentality and disregard for my Mothers thoughts and feelings and as soon as she started to voice her own opinions and stand up on her own two feet he walked out on us.

Chanu's character in comparison is a lovable puppy compared to the tyranical ignorance and selfishness of my own Father. As I said before this is not a general depiction of the Bangladeshi comminuity but this is a story lesser told and brave one.

The characters of this film were surprisingly well written, complex and humanistic and the representation of the Brick Lane community was on the whole rather accurate. Im not sure how easy it would be to have a random fling on the streets of such a closely knitted community (especially in Brick Lane as its not exactly all that big).

To be honest if anything is a liitle obscured it is the representation of white people who are far too trendy walking around in their tight skinny jeans and and American Apparel T shirts to be concerned with handing out anti Islamic propaganda.

reply

Thank you for your comments.

I'm an American woman who just loves this movie. It rang true to me on an emotional level but I did wonder if it was at all an accurate representation of some in the Bangladeshi community in London.







"The night was sultry."

reply