The Evolution of South Asian Women in British Film and TV
From "Bend It Like Beckham" to "Polite Society," Here's How South Asian Women Have Evolved On Screen
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"Bend It Like Beckham" is renowned for many reasons. At the time of its release, it was the highest-grossing film about football, and it also launched the career of Keira Knightley. Perhaps more importantly, the 2003 film is undoubtedly a landmark coming-of-age movie for many British South Asians.
The film follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), an 18-year-old British Indian from Hounslow who loves football more than anything. When Jules (Keira Knightley) sees Jess's skills in the park one day, she invites her to join a local women's football team. Jess joins, sneaking around behind her Indian family who she knows will disapprove. As her loyalty to the team comes up against her loyalty to her family, the film becomes a testament to following your dreams whilst never forgetting where you came from.
It captures the cultural specificities of British South Asian life, with both Jess and her sister Pinky (Archie Panjabi) showing different ways of rebelling against the standards set for young Asian women. However, whilst they do both rebel, there is also a strong sense of family; in particular, its portrayal of a strong father-daughter relationship is a beautiful thing to see in a film about this community. In addition, its cultural humour is specific enough that those who understand it will cry with laughter, but generic enough that all audiences are invited to laugh along.
Ultimately, it's a film that young British South Asians will relate to, regardless of their love (or lack of love) for football.