East Is East (DVD)

George Khan leaves his native Pakistan, settles in the north of England just before the Second World War and marries an English woman, Ella. Many years later, the couple are still happily married and have six sons and a daughter. But whereas George tries to bring his family up to be good Muslims, they have other ideas, choosing to embrace the freedom that is open to their friends. When George tries to arrange a marriage for his eldest son, he flees on his wedding day, after which he is classed as dead to George. Then the battle to marry off two of his other sons begins. Will he be successful? Or will his wife and children finally be able to lead the lives they chose? ...  Read the complete review

East is East is set in 1971 in the city of Manchester. The story is set around the Khan family, the father of this family, George Khan (Om Puri) is a Pakistani and is married to Ella (Linda Bassett.) Along with there seven children, aged between 13 and 24. The family run the local fish and chip shop in their working class neighbourhood. Although the family seem well balanced they are not, their father wants all of the children to be raised as he was, a strict Muslim Pakistani but Ella wants them to be raised as English Catholic children. The children soon rebel against their fathers wishes, Nazir(Ian Aspinall)runs away from his wedding disgracing ...  Read the complete review

East is East is a wonderfully simple comedy indirectly dealing with serious issues. Based on the play by Ayub Khan-Din (who also wrote the screenplay) it was made in 1999 and directed by Damien O'Donnell in only his second major film as director. CAST: Om Puri as George Khan Linda Bassett as Ella Khan Jordan Routledge as Sajid Khan Archie Panjabi as Meenah Khan Emil Marwa as Maneer Khan Chris Bisson as Saleem Khan Jimi Mistry as Tariq Khan Raji James as Abdul Khan Ian Aspinall as Nazir Khan Lesley Nicol as Auntie Annie Emma Rydal as Stella Moorhouse Ruth Jones as Peggy Ben Keaton as ...  Read the complete review

I have wanted to see East Is East since it came out in the cinema in 1999, but as usual, I only get round to it when it appears on TV some two years later! I was determined not to miss it this time, and I was very pleased I didn’t. It is a really good film which keeps you gripped throughout, pulls you into the story and only lets you go when the closing credits roll, almost two hours later. The film concentrates on the Khan family – the Pakistani father, George (Om Puri) and white English mother, Ella (Linda Bassett) and their seven children – Sajid (Jordan Routledge), Meenah (Archie Panjabi), Maneer (Emil Marwa), Saleem (Chris ...  Read the complete review

East is East is a Bafta award winning film set in the seventies based around the Khan family. The film begins with elaborate preparations being made for the eldest son’s arranged marriage. George Khan (Om Puri) is the father, and has seven children. A proud Pakistani he lives in Manchester within a largely white community. He does his utmost to raise his children as good Pakistanis (mostly against their will and choice). Here begins his hypocritical values as he is married to a white woman. Ella Khan is understanding about the children to keep their links to their culture. If you've read any of my film reviews you will be aware that ...  Read the complete review