SHOW
Brick Lane
The Drum, Aston,
Birmingham
Based on the bestselling novel prologue using
by Monica Lee and directed by voiceover; this
Sarah Gavron, Brick Lane tells the along with the
uplifting tale of Naznee (Tannishtha tragic suicide
Chatterjee) the docile ‘girl from of her mother
the village’ forced to live a life sets the tone
of drudgery in East London with for the rest of
her insufferable husband, Chanu the melodrama.
(Satish Kaushik) and two daughters, Against a vibrant backdrop of the
to appreciate the values within
Shahana (Naeema Begum) and green paddy fields in Bangladesh,
it. You are very much urged to
Bibi (Lana Rahman.) Sent away the beginning juxtaposes the brash
empathise and relate to the
at seventeen to get married and unapologetic East London
characters and the film’s clever
she regretfully left behind her that we experience soon after.
characterisation is what puts it
younger sister. In a bid to reign in In the wake of 9/11 we see each
above the rest. Despite its moments
more money she takes in sewing character’s inner turmoil as they
of melancholy, I found the film
from local market-boy Karim, search for their identities.
very enlightening as it explores a
(Christopher Simpson) whose blind
range of issues that people from all
ambition and charisma becomes It also fuels a new awakening for
backgrounds can appreciate.
irresistible and their budding the father- as his loyalty to Islam
connection turns into a gripping conflicts with his daughters’ fight
To describe it in its entirety, Brick
affair-leading her on a journey of to be accepted into ignorant British
Lane is a coming-of-age drama
self-discovery. society.
about realisation, choices, pride and
love.
We are introduced to Naznee’s Brick Lane is a breath of fresh air,
childhood through a long and poetic full of subtleties that compel you
Vicky Gayle
34 theVINE February 2009
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