Film- Gone Too Far

This films was about a teenage Nigerian male that seemed to be ashamed of his cultural identity. He awaits his brother’s arrival whom is coming from Nigeria. His older brother seems to clash with him when he tries to fit into his teen brother’s English adapted culture which allowed him to get into many problems.

What I thought of the film

I thought the film was very humorous and I feel that everyone else could relate to the movie even if they were not Nigerian because we have been exposed to and know of certain stereotypes from this culture. It was inspiring to see that the young teenage boy in the end realised that there is nothing to be ashamed of about his Nigerian culture which as a result shows how the film has challenged these stereotypes portrayed throughout the movie. The film in a way tires to show us that we are all the same as humans and there never should be the issue of separating groups negatively because of their cultural background and what we have seen in the media about these cultural backgrounds. It’s also quite surprising that this movie of youths have not been represented in a negative way in terms of knife and gun crime as I am used to seeing these kinds of negative acts in the media by the youths. Again in a way the film challenges certain stereotypes of youths in the media.

 

How identity is mediated (how are black people represented in this film):

• not all about knife and gun crime for once
• stereotypes were not really negative because they were just showing us the cultural ways in a funny way that we can relate to because we heard of it or seen it before. Personally I think every culture has funny stories to tell about their cultural backgrounds. I don't think its really a means of the portrayal of negative stereotypes within the film
• the film stereotypes were quite accurate as the people who directed and worked with this film were of African backgrounds
• Yemi's mum plays the role of a stereotypical strict African mother

Stereotypes of black males in the media

Article one 

Article Two: Attack the block 

    

Destiny Ekaragha

About:

Destiny Ekaragha is the third child of six children. She was born and raised in London, England in 1982 to Nigerian parents who came to Britain in the 1970’s. Watching films has been one of Destiny’s favourite past times for most of her existence, the first film being A Nightmare on Elm Street when aged 5. Her relationship with the dark was never quite the same, however neither was her relationship with film. The idea of escaping to a world other than her own was very compelling.

Destiny has since spent most of her time immersed in all things film related whether it be script writing, directing or drooling over Johnny Depp. She studied film in college and university and got her first runner job on a film called Wimbledon.

After various runner jobs, including a stint at BBC Films, Destiny teamed up with producer Tamana Bleasdale to make her first short film TIGHT JEANS which she both wrote and directed. TIGHT JEANS was funded by the Southern Exposure branch of Film London. TIGHT JEANS went on to be officially selected by the 2008 Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival. It was also voted the best short film shown at the London Film Festival by The Observer newspaper.

Destiny still lives in South East London, a place that has greatly inspired her work. Herself and Tamana Bleasdale are currently developing several projects including three short films, several music videos and a feature film.

"Ok, so, my name is Destiny Ekaragha ( yes, Destiny is my real name. Honest) and I’m an independent filmmaker or more specifically a writer/director. I know, I know, it sounds fancy right? When I say this to most people, they automatically think that I have money. Needless to say, these people do not work in the film industry other wise they’d know that most of us are broke."

Tight Jeans – Short Film

"I grew up watching films. I was literally raised by it but it was only at the age of 22 that I realised that I wanted to make my own.  After teaming up with producer (and friend) Tamana Bleasdale this idea of making films came into fruition. We made my first short film ‘Tight Jeans’, (funded by Southern Exposure ) which, ended up being officially selected by The Times BFI 52nd London Film Festival (my days, thats a long title). This lead to my being featured on BBC News and CNN. Crazy innit? Since then it has got into the 2009 Pan African Film Festival and we’re waiting on others. Needless to say, I’m on cloud 9. I just wish that ‘9′ meant money. Credit crunch anyone"

Gone Too far- Short Film 

Pictures that describe my identity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article- "More than a quarter of young adults in Britain do not trust Muslims"

• Of the 1,000 young people questioned in a BBC survey, 27 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds said they didn't trust Muslims, while a similar number said Britain would be better off with fewer Muslims
• 60 per cent thought the British public had a negative image of Muslims and 44 per cent said Muslims do not have the same values as the rest of the population.
• 16 per cent said they didn't trust Hindus or Sikhs, 15 per cent said they didn't trust Jewish people, while 13 per cent and 12 per cent said they didn't trust Buddhists and Christians respectively.
• 'The kind of comments, the kind of looks and stares that we're experiencing at this moment in time is very different to what it was before,' she said.
• 'They've become much more hostile, much more bitter, and much more aggressive in nature. It's actually got to the stage where I'm beginning to feel that I want to stay in my house.'
• Young people are also divided over whether or not immigration is good for Britain overall. Two-fifths say it is a good thing but more than a third disagree

To conclude, because of the media, people are no longer trusting Muslims. The media represents Muslims in a exaggerated negative way and this creates a moral panic within our society. People are influenced by the things they see on TV and are oblivious to the fact that it is not always true and can be extremely exaggerated. (covert influence)

East Is East- representation of characters

• ·        Ayub Khan-Din wrote the story (based on his life) (youngest son Sajid).
• ·         Damien O’Donnell directed the film.
• ·         Film released in 1999, but set in the 70s (set in Salford)
• ·          “East Is East and west is west and never the twain shall meet”- connotation that the mixing of             cultures/religions cannot mix. You can’t help to change the people from the east or the people from the west. Perspectives are different (different ways of walking dressing thinking etc.) 

Character	Representation
Zahir "George" Khan:	“patriarch of the family”- he’s known as George because he probably picked the name up being around the British- in a way his culture has been meshed with the British culture- Married to 2 women ( British woman and a Pakistani woman)
Ella Khan (mother):	An Irish-Catholic, she finds herself unable to stand up to George until he pushes her too far by abusing their children. This possibly shows that she is encouraging to change his strict and patriarchal view yet she dresses in Asian clothing. Cultures are transmitted between the two creating a Brasian (British Asian) identity between the two.
Sajid"Spaz" Khan (youngest son):	The sixth son and youngest child. His suffering from his recent circumcision makes Ella wonder if it was really a right decisions mad by Zahir. This shows their different opinions possibly because of their different culture? He wears a parka at all times of day and night.
Maneer "Gandhi" Khan:	The fourth son. He is the only one who obeys George's rules, and ironically the only one who George beats. He spends a lot of time reading
Saleem "Picasso" Khan:	The fifth son. He seems indifferent to George's authority but stands by his mother and siblings when George goes too far. On a comical note, he is studying Foundation Art, while George believes he is training to become an engineer. Could possibly be a stereotypical of an Asian parent wanting their son to become a professional with a professional occupation e.g. doctor
Tariq "Tony" Khan :	The third son. He is the most rebellious and even attempts to flee to when he finds out about George's marriage plan for him. Could have a negative view on Asian arranged marriages?
Meenah Khan:	The sixth child and the only daughter. She also has a rebellious streak and frequently teases Sajid. (which goes against the typical Asian daughter who keeps her family honor "IZZAT")
Abdul "Arthur" Khan:	The second son. He seems to dislike conflict and does not rebel against George's authority until he abuses Ella.
Nazir"Nigel" Khan (eldest son):	He is disowned by George after fleeing an arranged marriage for a homosexual relationship. Emphasizes how he has gone against his father and culture. (big significance on family honor)