2. Synopsis
Zahir Khan (George) was born in Pakistan who had already got married there to a
Muslim lady before he immigrated to Britain, falling in love with Ella, a Caucasian and
then married her. Eventually became the father of six sons and one daughter. George
wanted his children to follow the Islamic tradition, and would parcel them in the
"Masjid van" every Friday for prayers. Arguments with Ella are one-sided and always
end when he threatens to bring "Mrs. Khan“ wife number 1 from Pakistan. His eldest
son, Nadir, comes to know that his dad was going to arrange his marriage and runs
away from home. George disowns him - all the more when he finds that Nadir is gay
and is living with a male. While the children have all settled down in the community
and have had their respective romantic flings, they do not know that their father has
plans to marry off two of his sons to two Pakistani sisters. Nevertheless, the family
prepare themselves, and the two sons are introduced to these women. After
recovering from the initial shock of seeing the women face to face, the family settles
down, leaving Khan to negotiate the details. Noticing that the apartment was very
small, the brides' mother proposes that both boys should settle in their house after
marriage. Chaos takes over and the manner in which the overbearing Khan attempts
to bring his family in line - or at least tries to. Ella makes a stand in front of everyone,
slowly this is when George realises what's more important to him, his reputation or
his family.

3. Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A53ojcE0F7k
Clip 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UDtinc9lLU
Clip 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP-pJcRtOCk
Clip 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_Co3z2sT-
8&NR=1&feature=endscreen
Clip 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug5BeiULeuQ&feature=endscreen&NR=1

4. Production History
• East Is East is based on the play of the same name by Ayub Khan-Din, which
opened at the Royal Court Theatre in 1997.
• Remarkably successful for a low-budget comedy (£1.9 million budget),
grossing £10 million in the UK and more than $4.1 million in US cinemas, plus
being a big hit across Europe.
• Released on video and DVD, it made £12.3 million in UK rentals alone.
• In France, the film was called Fish and Chips: la comédie qui croustille! ("Fish
and Chips: the crunchy comedy!"). Lol
• Won many awards including BAFTAs and best director nominations etc: the list
is too long, but you get the idea
• Sequel made to it in 2010, West is West and directors are planning for a third
movie.

5. Controversy and Reviews
• One of the main controversy the film caused that it was inflaming a
fake of the Middle East.
• Film 4 is a sponsor for the film, most of their users found the film
hilarious. Many of its reviews and comments are either the film
being funny or just a hilarious comedy to watch.
• Other review sites such as Total review have viewers commenting
on how the film educates families can talk about the cultural
heritages that are important to them and how they balance that
with the pressure to assimilate. They should also talk about how
husbands and wives from different backgrounds create a home that
respects both of them, and how people sometimes live with
compromises that may seem intolerable to others.

6. The father in this film is just as eager and loving as any father
from any background or belief. He wants the best for his
children even though he may come across as an arrogant self
centred man. Is that just too hard for the public to accept, that
his man is trying to act his role of being a father by setting out
the rules and showing his family a pathway for them to be
successful in life?
Is it that the society we live in shifts they way people are judged
based on different lifestyles and culture?
Maybe people would change their views about what they think
of families, people of different cultured backgrounds.

7. What do you think?
Do you agree with how the film makers portray
this household as a “ Muslim household”
Or
Do you think that the film makers have taken a
step too far with all the gimmicks in the film
and maybe sending out a wrong message?

8. Identity
The theories which East is East can be linked with is with Grand
zero founder, of what is identity? East is East shows how two
different traditions can cause some mix up in finding a identity.