Brick Lane

Directed by Sarah Gavron

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Aims:Examples of confrontation of cultures

Examples of intercultural collision

Nature of conflict

Resolution

Relation to our experience

NazneenPhysically in London but mentally trapped in Bangladesh (childhood – sister)

Start of action: she starts working to go back „home“Affair with Bangladeshi man (Karim)

makes her „feel home“She starts to really live her life in

LondonSigns of happiness

Realization of London being her „new“ home

Confrontation of culture…

Old generation VS young generation

•The old generation is represented by the father•The young generation is represented by the first daughter Shahna

•Both the young and the old generation are combined in the figure of the mother Nazneen

Conflict betweenfather and daughter

Shahna (daughter):British-born Muslim

does neither belong to Bangladesh nor to EnglandLondon only home she knows;

she embodies British culture

permanent inner conflict which peaks in the scene where she runs away;

Chanu (father):Bangladeshi immigrant living in the UK well-read person near “addiction“ to

British literature attempt of integration

subtle pride of his modern daughter

Desperately but unsuccessfully tries to provide for his family

Two different cultures

that collide…In Great Britain there was a negative portrayal of Muslims

September 11 represents a turning point in the film…

It worsens the way Muslim people are seen

Muslims decide to fight against discrimination under the name of Bengal Tigers (vs. The British Lion Hearts) à represented by the change of the character of Karim

The father cannot stand this situation anymore and truly wants to go back to Bangladesh

ResolutionItaly

There is obviously an open end, there is not a „real“ conclusion

Personally we do not like the way the film ends

Our ending proposals:She divorces her husband and marries her loverShe marries her lover and escapes from London with

him and her daughtersShe comes back to Bangladesh and lives with her

sisterShe comes back to Bangladesh with her husband (a

tragic end =) )

ResolutionAustria

We think the ending is quite fitting and there is an actual conclusion

The viewer has the impression that Nazneen is independent and happy for the first time

CompositionDebut feature for director Sarah Gavron;

Use of lights and shadows, subtly to define the interior spaces;

Directed with a strong eye for colours & textures;

Exaggerated view of Bangladesh – swelling background music, lush greenery etc; ( stated as paradise)

Pace is painfully slow in the first half, comes together in the second half

Tannishtha ChatterjeeTannishtha Chatterjee as Nazneen:

Superb performanceAuthentic & emotional acting does not

need to speak a lot to show the tension between Nazneen‘s different roles and her inner journey;

Soulful actressHer profound and lovely face carries the

scenes along

What we have learntIntercultural differences

Intercultural collision

Clashes between cultures

Role of the woman in other countries

The importance of a relationship in other countries

The family‘s value

Our experienceDuring this exchange we have learnt:

What intercultural conversation meansIntercultural misunderstandingStereotypes and prejudicesWhat is an identity referring to multiple

identities and differences between themGender (problems related to gender)Concepts of family, religion, language and

cultural background and so on – in our and other countries