Collective Identity

G325 British Asian Identity 

• The Times 10.01.2014 front page article Rise in Muslim birthrate as families ‘feel British’ article here
• Discussion prompted by the question of what is British identity? Today's newspapers (above) carry an article that is likely to be alarmist. Certainly the news about the new regulations allowing Romanians to work in Britain from 1st January 2014 has fuelled alarmists. 
• Using terms like 'pure' about Britain identity: we cannot use terms like homogenous about British identity as it covers a range of hybrid identities and always has. We look at  the different groups of people who have invaded Britain and settled here such as Celts, Romans, Anglo Saxons (from Denmark, Germany and Holland), Normans.
• Use this article to understand issues connected with denotation by name Equality Challenge Unit: use of BME, BAME 
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• Useful terms: diversity, BrAsian
• Ethnicity: ethnic minorities and majorities. Whose voice is heard in the Press, who is most likely to be represented in film and TV? See Media Diversified internet article an advocacy body for getting more people from ethnic minorities seen, heard and read in the UK mainstream press. 'The ascension of Amol Rajan as editor of a national newspaper The Independent was hailed as a milestone, the first person non-white editor of a national paper. It was big news and it shouldn't have been, it's 2013.'
• As Sathnam Sanghera said on the day 'Amol Rajan’s appointment important day for diversity, but press remains one of most monoracial industries in the land' and referred to the New Statesman's research from 2011.
• Representations of second and third generation immigrants in films often reflect conflict within the diasporic community and the family, such as that of Tahara and Casim from Ae Fond Kiss (dir.Ken Loach) 
  
  
  
  

G322 British film success

• Gravity VFX handled by Framestore, Soho described here
  Alfonso Cuarón’s remarkable blockbuster Gravity has enjoyed fantastic critical success, collecting enough stars from film reviewers to fill the galaxy it so devotedly depicts. But how were those stunning images made? By taking a film crew up 372 miles above the earth? In fact those mesmerising images were planned and created here in Soho, London. It’s a Hollywood blockbuster made in Britain, from pre-production, through filming, to its extensive time in post production.

COLLECTIVE IDENTITY: BRITISH ASIAN CINEMA

Consult BFI Screenonline CLICK HERE
























COLLECTIVE IDENTITY: THE INDIAN DOCTOR

We look at a clip from The Millionairess (1960) then link it to the opening sequence of The Indian Doctor (2012) , in which the same clip appears.

• In The Millionairess London-based millionairess Epifania (Sophia Loren) is attracted to Dr. Kabir (MD from Delhi and PhD from Calcutta), who is more intent on treating patients. Well-known British comedian Peter Sellars blacks up to take the role of the doctor in this comedy in which the audience is supposed to laugh at the idea of the screen legend Loren finding the Indian doctor attractive with his cod Indian accent and reluctance to be seduced.
• By 2012, Indians are cast appropriately: Sanjeev Bhaskar and Ayesha Dharker play back  Dr Prem Sharma and his wife Kamini in The Indian Doctor. This time, the narrative unfolds from the doctor's viewpoint and, instead of laughing at him, the audience is encouraged to side with him as he meets ignorance and prejudice from some of the community.
• Here are stills from the opening episode of The Indian Doctor (BBC1 2012). We analyse how collective identity is constructed through mise-en-scene, camerawork, editing and sound.
• 1. How does the soundtrack function? What does the title wording suggest about representation?

2. Whose viewpoint is the audience made to share, and how?


3. How is Indian ethnicity constructed? How is the Welsh community represented?


4. How are Prem and Kamini constructed as outsiders?


5. What does the editing (shot reverse shot; framing, reaction shot) contribute to the representation?


6. Mise-en-scene: how are Prem and Kamini positioned as outsiders through their clothes?

7. Editing: what do the clips from the contemporary film 'The Millionariess' contribute to the representation  Asians?


8. What does the representation of an Asian doctor by Peter Sellers contribute in terms of racist humour?

9. Comment on the arrival of Prem and Kamini in the village hall during the screening. How is the 2012 audience meant to understand this scene?


10. How is the Welsh community represented?