Nov. 16, 2007|United Kingdom|102 Min.|PG-13
Genre: Bangla;Drama
Description: The 2007 film *Brick Lane* is set in London, primarily in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda, which heightened racial tensions in Britain. The story revolves around Nazneen, who grew up in the rural Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. After her mother’s tragic suicide due to the struggles of village life, Nazneen’s father arranges her marriage to Chanu, a middle-aged educated man living in London.
Nazneen leaves her sister and family behind to move to the UK with Chanu. They settle in a small flat on Brick Lane, the heart of the British Bengali community. Over time, Nazneen raises two daughters, though her life is marked by hardship. Her first child, a son, died in infancy. Living in a cramped flat, she endures bigotry and prejudice from neighbors who distribute flyers stoking fear of Muslim extremists.
Nazneen’s life is further strained by her loveless marriage. She remains submissive to Chanu for the sake of peace and her children. Chanu eventually resigns from his job, feeling undervalued, leaving the family financially unstable. To support them, Nazneen begins mending jeans for a neighbor, earning a pound per piece. Throughout her struggles, she finds solace in letters from her sister, who shares stories of her carefree life and romantic adventures, a stark contrast to Nazneen’s own existence.
The film captures Nazneen’s longing for her homeland, her resilience in the face of adversity, and her quiet desire for a life beyond the confines of Brick Lane.
Cast director: Sarah Gavron
Cast actor: Tannishtha Chatterjee, Satish Kaushik, Christopher Simpson, Naeema Begum, Lana Rahman
Original name: Brick Lane