BRICK LANE

In today's lesson we watched a screening of Brick Lane, directed by Sarah Gavron.

• Nazneen appears uncomfortable in her new home that is Brick flats located in Brick Lane. This is juxtaposed with the opening scene of rural Bangladesh life amid flowing rivers and green fields, accompanied by haunting lyrical music. 
• Nazneen refuses to accept her adopted country and she isolates herself until she takes on sewing, which happens to be her first step in her development as an independent woman. 
• The identities located in Brick Lane are represented as being inward-looking as there is a closed Bangladeshi community that protects itself from the outside British world. 
• The film crunch comes into place in Brick Lane post attacks on the World Trade Centre. This results in the backlash against Britain's Muslim community as they are all generalised as terrorists. 
• Karim's involvement in anti-racism and local protest meetings triggers Nazneen's political awareness, which strengthens her personal development and voice. 
• In the film, identity is hybrid and dynamic, shaped by outside influences.