Written by Linda
February 07, 2009
I remember when this film was released in the theaters locally, it had the unfortunate coincidence of coming out the same week as a French film called East / West (starring, of course, Catherine Denueve). Audiences got confused, and decided to just avoid both films. Within a couple of weeks, the two movies were out of the theaters.
But East is East had been recommended to me by more than one friend, and finally I can say it is definitely worth seeking out as a rental.
Om Puri stars as George "Genghis" Khan, the patriarch of a family of six sons and one daughter. George emigrated to Britain from Pakistan in the 30s, married a local white English gal, and now that it is 1971, finds his grown sons to be of marrying age. Keeping with his Pakistani Muslim tradition, he starts to choose wives for his eldest sons... that is, of course, without checking with them first.
East is East is a wonderful ensemble piece, letting us get to know each of the family members, all interesting and quirky in their own way. This kids are all British, which the father can't quite accept. They don't speak his native language, they go through the motions of the traditional customs enforced by their father, and lean on their white mother for support. Anyone who has grown up in a bi-cultural household or neighborhood can find plenty of laughs from the culture clashes within this family.
But East is East also deals with the tough issues of racism, immigrants, and cultural identity. As George's control over his family starts to unravel, he strikes out in violence as a last defense over his stronghold as the head of the house. Though it may not be politically correct to feature in a film that is mostly a comedy, it brings the issues to a very human and personal level. George could be a monster, but Om Puri is such a fine actor that you can see where his motivation comes from. His rage against his rebellious family isn't about hatred, it's about the preservation of his beloved culture in a new land.
East is East manages not only to be a laugh-out-loud enjoyable family comedy about culture clashes, but an effective drama about the immigration experience, whether it be in the UK, the US, or any other country.
