Brick Lane premieres in London amid controversy
Lucie Godeau

LONDON—“Brick Lane”, the movie based on Monica Ali’s critically-acclaimed novel, has finally premiered in London after controversy surrounding its filming and the cancellation of a royal performance.
The film, which follows the fortunes of Nazneen, a young Muslim Bangladeshi woman who emigrated to London aged 17 after an arranged marriage, was shown for the first time at the London Film Festival on October 26.
But director Sarah Gavron’s portrayal of this slice of immigrant life has divided the critics.
Some of the more violent aspects of Ali’s 2003 novel about the famous east London street have been left out of the film. Instead, the characters are more appealing, which some critics have seen as an attempt to avoid controversy.
The film itself is shot from Nazneen’s point of view, showing her trapped in a cramped flat she shares in a dreary municipal authority-owned block with her ageing, pot-bellied husband and their two daughters.
But her endless days juggling money and marital worries are suddenly brightened when Karim, who brings her work as a seamstress, comes into her life and they embark on a passionate affair.
The film also shows the rise in Islamic radicalism and the tensions caused by the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States when the community suddenly becomes a target.
At the end of the film, Nazneen (Tannishtha Chaterjee), who is seen throughout as a submissive, sari-wearing wife, takes responsibility for her own destiny.
The filming of “Brick Lane” last year caused tensions within certain sections of the Bangladeshi community in east London.
About 100 people demonstrated in July 2006 on Brick Lane itself, a popular destination for curry lovers which is also called Banglatown and is a symbol for the 330,000 Bangladeshis living in the British capital.
The protesters threatened to burn Ali’s book, calling it an “insult” to the community because it portrayed Bangladeshis as ignorant and lacking respect for religion.
Gavron said that view was not representative.
“We had a huge amount of support from the community but there was a little group with a political agenda that got a lot of attention,” she told the audience at the London Film Festival.
As for Prince Charles cancelling a Royal Film Performance scheduled for October 29, “no reason was given”, she added.
Such showings have been held every year since 1946, apart from 1958, with proceeds going to royal charities, including the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund which helps organise the screening.