In early 1970s England, a Pakistani father finds the authority he has previously maintained challenged by his increasingly Anglicized children.In early 1970s England, a Pakistani father finds the authority he has previously maintained challenged by his increasingly Anglicized children.In early 1970s England, a Pakistani father finds the authority he has previously maintained challenged by his increasingly Anglicized children.
- Won 1 BAFTA Award
- 16 wins & 14 nominations total
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe drawing of a penis with a foreskin that Saleem shows his brothers and sister proved unexpectedly difficult. Chris Bisson can't draw so an artist was commissioned to sketch the object in question, but upon seeing the finished result, it was quickly decided that it looked too odd. It transpired that the artist was in fact circumcised and had no familiarity with foreskins, so the cast and crew were asked if anyone could draw and would like to volunteer his penis. Fortunately, one of the set photographers fit both requirements.
- GoofsIn the film they constantly use the term "shillings" when referring to prices and money. Britain adopted the pounds and pence decimal system on 15 February 1971, and over the next year or two ditched the shilling and pence currency. In the film's opening scene the caption reads "Salford, Manchester, 1971," and after the eldest brother runs out on his wedding a second caption, in the second or third scene, then reads "six months later," meaning that Britain had changed over the currency, so when one of the brothers keeps begging his mum for 10 shillings, etc., it might sound factually incorrect, but there was a changeover period and use of both currencies was permitted. Shilling coins remained legal tender and in circulation for many years; the sixpence remained in circulation until 1980 for machines, but was removed from general use after 1973; conversely the 50 New Pence coin (worth 10 shillings) was introduced two years before decimalisation. People didn't stop using the word "shilling" for many years although by 1974, the use of old money had gone.
- Quotes
George Khan: ...when I come this country, I have no luggage. Today what I got?
Meenah Khan: You got a chip shop, Dad.
George Khan: Right. Own bloody business, see.
- Crazy creditsSpecial thanks to ... and all the residents of Openshaw.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Instinct/The Loss of Sexual Innocence/Limbo (1999)
- SoundtracksThe Banner Man
Written by Roger Greenaway, Herbie Flowers and Roger Cook
Copyright 1971, Cauliflower Music Ltd.
Performed by Blue Mink
Licensed from Trojan Recordings Ltd.
Featured review
East is East is a good example of British comedy drama. Set in the north of England in the 1970's it is the story of an mixed race Asian family living in a mainly white community. However the film doesn't really tackle the conflict between the races but rather the conflict within the family itself - both the clash of the cultures between the white mother and Asian father, and the children resisting the traditional culture of their father.
The film rises easily above TV sitcom/drama to be of film standard in every sense. The director captures the size of the house and the community well. The acting is good - especially Om Puri as the father. The film builds the picture of an eastern family mixing with the western culture well - with comedy scenes used as well as more dramatic scenes used to show this.
If you enjoy this style of domestic humour, you'll love this (especially the scenes where the family are all together - check out the youngest who is a very British indeed and reminds me of Kenny from South Park!). But don't be fooled into thinking that this is a crude toilet-humour style comedy (like the marketing suggests) it is much more than that. Also if you have a father who wanted his children to be raised a specific way (not necessarily Asian) then you'll get much of the drama between father and children.
My only problem with this is that the characters sometimes seem to be caricatures, and the plotting is sometimes a bit ropey with so many things to fit in.
Is it realistic of the experience of british Muslims at the time? Probably not but it's funny, moving and thought-provoking in equal measure.
The film rises easily above TV sitcom/drama to be of film standard in every sense. The director captures the size of the house and the community well. The acting is good - especially Om Puri as the father. The film builds the picture of an eastern family mixing with the western culture well - with comedy scenes used as well as more dramatic scenes used to show this.
If you enjoy this style of domestic humour, you'll love this (especially the scenes where the family are all together - check out the youngest who is a very British indeed and reminds me of Kenny from South Park!). But don't be fooled into thinking that this is a crude toilet-humour style comedy (like the marketing suggests) it is much more than that. Also if you have a father who wanted his children to be raised a specific way (not necessarily Asian) then you'll get much of the drama between father and children.
My only problem with this is that the characters sometimes seem to be caricatures, and the plotting is sometimes a bit ropey with so many things to fit in.
Is it realistic of the experience of british Muslims at the time? Probably not but it's funny, moving and thought-provoking in equal measure.
- bob the moo
- Sep 26, 2001
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Схід є схід
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- £1,900,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,177,818
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $53,569
- Apr 16, 2000
- Gross worldwide
- $4,177,818
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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