Latest news with #British-Asian
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Cinema Without Borders: Playing a part—In Camera
Naqqash Khalid's directorial debut, In Camera , might focus on the work life of a struggling British-Asian actor but kicks off with the angst and existential anxieties of a well-established name in the business. He is not inclined to play a 'two-dimensional' cop, doing the same thing every episode, in yet another season of a murder-mystery series that has otherwise earned him good money and the love of the people. 'But I will turn irrelevant in two years,' he tells his agent, desperate to do a film of consequence instead. Absorbed in his own self, he also fails to acknowledge the greeting—nice working with you—of Aden (Nabhan Rizwan), the upcoming actor playing a corpse. Aden is himself in search of pertinence and purpose in life between attending acting workshops, auditions, taping sessions and photoshoots. He is caught in a cycle of public scrutiny and rejections while managing to do an odd bit part, such as this one, even wearing his own shirt to the set and, in return, told rather indifferently to submit a dry cleaning invoice to compensate for the soiled attire. There's something heedless, frosty and mechanical about the profession that is supposedly driven by heart, mind, and soul. Khalid spotlights the film business in the UK with a visibly inventive, irreverent, and independent sensibility that eschews the conventional form and modes of narration. There's not much of a story or drama anyhow, more a slice of everyday life of Aden as he moves between his home and work. A surreal record of the misery in the mundane that plays with the collective fragmented realities and feverish imaginations. Khalid showcases things with a darkly humorous and deadpan touch—be it the staccato, measured conversations Aden has with his doctor flatmate Bo (Rory Fleck Byrne) who is fighting demons of his own or the matter-of-fact chat with the banker about the tenuous state of his account. The most caustic portrayal is of the auditions—exposing the prejudices, hypocrisies, cultural straitjacketing, lack of diversity and inclusivity as well as crass commercialisation rampant in the British film industry. There's one for a toothpaste ad where he gets picked up for being a regular guy, an everyman, because 'that's what the brand is all about'. All he must do is smile widely and show off his pearly white teeth. 'Smile. Say the words on the page. It's not so hard,' Aden tells his new fashion manager flatmate Conrad (Amir El-Masry) when he enquires about what it is like to be an actor. The irony is that it is not so simple and straightforward at all. Rizwan brings out its complexities and nuances with urgency and empathy even as we see his Aden transform through the course of the film—from a stoic, straight-faced presence to an animated, assertive one. 'I am not a shadow,' he declares. Things reach a poignant point when he agrees to play a role in real life, one which helps him earn for a supposedly good cause—to help two distraught souls overcome loss and grief and heal themselves. But is it really that simple? There is also a confrontation with his own roots and belonging as he squares up with the West's highly coloured imagination of a hijacker from the Middle East and takes a ride with a cabbie who tells him that he wants to go back home and not be buried in alien soil. It brings the matters of identity politics to the forefront after having seemingly buried deep inside his consciousness. Fittingly then we end up with him being successful but still not being acknowledged for himself. Even as Aden is referred to as the brown version of a star, a new brown actor tells Aden that it was nice working with him. Perfect way to bookend a film that is essentially the loop of struggle, arrival, success and persistence of chauvinism.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Calling The Split fans! 'Paused' spinoff series gets an exciting update
It's good news for The Split fans, with spinoff series The Split Up reportedly moving forward on production. A spinoff of the popular legal drama was announced by the BBC last February, but in September, Deadline reported that the broadcaster had "paused indefinitely" on the project. In an exciting update, Broadcast Now has now reported that The Split Up is currently in pre-production, with filming due to start this October. Related: The Split Up will be filmed and set in Manchester and, similar to the original series, will follow a family of legal experts: the Kishans. "Kishan Law is a British-Asian high net worth family law firm in Manchester, noted for its clientele and its reputation," the official synopsis states. "They are the 'go to firm' for Manchester's elite, who come to them for their excellence, integrity, and discretion. "But the future and legacy of Kishan Law hangs in the balance when a family secret from the past comes to light, throwing their professional and personal lives into turmoil." Related: The Split creator Abi Morgan is involved with the spinoff series but hasn't penned the script. Instead, Ursula Rani Sarma has written the series – whose recent credits include Sky's dark comedy series Delicious. During an interview with Digital Spy in December last year, Morgan was asked about a possible crossover with The Split and The Split Up, and she didn't rule out the suggestion. "Yeah, I think we're talking about that," she told us. "I think it will be a show that will very much stand on its own, but invariably, it's lovely to have built that audience, and we're excited to see that audience hopefully come to the new version of the show. Who knows?" The Split Up doesn't have a release window on BBC One and BBC iPlayer yet. at at Pandora at at at at at Apple at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
The Guardian
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Reeta Chakrabarti: ‘I love dancing in a really bad disco mum kind of way'
My parents came to the UK in 1960 from Calcutta, as it was then, in India. My father was a doctor. In Birmingham, I was often the only Indian girl in my class. There are ways that you're marked out in the playground. There was quite a lot of teasing. You had to navigate your way – you learn to be pleasing to people. That's how I coped. The UK in the 1970s was a harder place when it came to race. I was aware of the far-right, football hooliganism, racism on the streets. On occasion, somebody, usually a man, would scowl at me or make a face, unprovoked. I sort of understood – but sort of didn't. I absolutely loved Oxford University. It opened me up. I'm very fond of Birmingham, but it's not a place of beauty, and Oxford really is. There weren't many British-Asian students like me. That didn't stop me having a good time. There was prejudice from certain individuals, but it was more their problem than mine. When I started out in journalism I had more of a black-and-white view of things. Doing my job for so long has made me see the enormous complexity of everything. I've come to understand it's a very difficult world to understand. The advice I give to people? Say 'yes' to things in your career. Even if you're quaking with fear, put a bright, brave face on. You won't regret it. I don't like resentful people. I deliberately don't remember bad things people have said to me. If you harbour these things, you only do yourself harm. My husband, Paul, and I met at university. I think the secret to a happy marriage is each allowing the other person to be themselves and understanding that, as you grow older together, you're going to become different people. It sounds so easy – but it's really not. I love dancing in a really bad disco mum kind of way. That happens in the kitchen, when I'm cooking – which is not often, as my husband does most of it. I had appendicitis, dramatically, in the autumn of 2021. I was in Rome, passed out from the pain, and was rushed to hospital. I lay in A&E for a while and couldn't get anyone to help me – I don't speak Italian. I started to think, 'Oh well, I've made it to my late 50s and Rome isn't a bad place to go.' But they sorted me out. My greatest achievement? My three children. I've had a wonderful career. I'm about to publish a novel. But I don't put any of those things ahead of my family. I believe in lifelong learning and developing, and in not having regrets or itches that you wished you'd scratched. Writing a novel at this stage of my life has been good for me. Finding Belle by Reeta Chakrabarti is published by HarperFiction on 8 May at £16.99 or £15.29 at
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Members of Lords involved in serious misconduct at Westminster, watchdog warns
Peers have been behind serious misconduct against parliamentary colleagues, it has been revealed at Westminster, in the face of a Tory call to gag complainants. Baroness Manningham-Buller, who chairs the House of Lords Conduct Committee, said a rule change argued for by Conservatives would serve only to prevent genuine victims of harassment from coming forward. While in some instances details had not been made public, as the complainant wished to remain anonymous, the independent crossbencher and former MI5 chief told the House there had been 'serious cases' involving peers. Lady Manningham-Buller made her comments as she rejected a bid to remove the entitlement of members of either House to bring a complaint of harassment against a peer, following a review of the conduct rulebook. The proposal was made by Tory former minister Lord Hamilton of Epsom, after a Conservative colleague was suspended from the House for three weeks for twice calling a British-Asian peer 'Lord Poppadom' as they shared a taxi on an official trip. Baroness Meyer had also touched a Labour MP's hair braids without her permission. Lord Hamilton has claimed she was a victim of a 'miscarriage of justice' and suggested the complaints were politically motivated. The Conservative peer said: 'It's no doubt in my mind that the code of conduct, as it's now worded, is leading to miscarriages of justice and I think we should be very mindful of this. 'Also the problems that, actually, there are party political politicians in this House. I was recently told of a case by a colleague that actually there are people refusing to go on parliamentary trips now or indeed share a taxi with a member of the opposition party in case that can be used against them. 'That is a problem. If the onus is actually put on the complainant to say that they've been upset by some remark that somebody's made, this can be exploited very much in terms of party political advantage.' But Lady Manningham-Buller said: 'I would like to assure the House that the members of the conduct committee are fully alive to the possibility of politically motivated complaints, as are the commissioners. 'We understand that we work in a political environment and we have robust processes for identifying and rejecting frivolous or vexatious complaints. 'But in truth I suggest the risk identified by Lord Hamilton is more imaginary than substantial.' She added: 'I would suggest that all Lord Hamilton's amendment would achieve would be to prevent genuine victims of such harassment from complaining. 'And let me be clear, there are victims. Even though allegations by members of either House against noble Lords are extremely rare, there have been cases where serious misconduct has occurred. 'In some cases the details are not in the public domain, because the complainant wished to remain anonymous, but I can assure the House there have been serious cases involving noble Lords.' Earlier in the debate, other Tory peers had likened the case of Lady Meyer to a playground argument. Conservative former Cabinet minister Lord Lilley said: 'Surely the presumption is that we are old enough and sensible enough to deal with offensive remarks made by other colleagues without running off to teacher and saying 'please miss, please miss, Ginny insulted me on the playground'.' He added: 'It's ridiculous that one member should bring that sort of minor incident before this procedure.' Tory peer Lord Balfe said: 'I was appalled by the report on Baroness Meyer, where really it seemed that a playground scrap had been elevated into a great controversy.' Liberal Democrat Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer said she was 'disappointed but perhaps not surprised' by Lord Hamilton's proposal. She said: 'It suggests that if we suffer or our colleagues suffer something that involves harassment we should just keep quiet. 'That smacks to me of the worst aspects of English public school life, hopefully a thing of the past in schools now, but in Lord Hamilton's mind where not grassing on one's fellows is more important than ensuring intimidating behaviour is stopped. 'Cruel or bad behaviour thrives in a culture of secrecy and we should have none of it in this House.'
The Guardian
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘It was shocking to me': Black female designers still underrepresented at London fashion week
From Ozwald Boateng to Martine Rose, the UK has produced some of the most high-profile Black designers in men's fashion. But London fashion week, which took place in the capital this weekend and focuses on womenswear, is noticeably lacking when it comes to Black female designers. Out of a total of nearly 60 shows, only two were the work of Black women. Relative newcomer Abigail Ajobi showed her luxury streetwear on Friday afternoon, while the more established British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker – who has dressed the likes of Maya Jama and Rihanna – had a presentation on Sunday. This diversity gap is not new, but it is more relevant with conversations in fashion around designers in top spots at high fashion brands. As Vogue Business asked recently: 'Why are so many creative directors still white men?' Analysing those in top spots across 35 brands, they found that 10 were occupied by white women, three were men of colour while only one was held by a woman of colour – British-Asian designer Sandra Choi at Jimmy Choo. With rumours around changing positions at Burberry and Christian Dior, these are likely to see new roles for white men once again – Kim Jones and JW Anderson respectively. The lack of Black women designing for women in London is contrasted with a wave of Black female designers making menswear to great acclaim. Martine Rose, who dressed Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl, and Grace Wales Bonner, who created sell-out Adidas collections and dressed Lewis Hamilton, are both big-ticket names. Bianca Saunders, Mowalola and Priya Ahluwalia (who is of Indian and Nigerian heritage) are other labels that have their roots in menswear. Most of these designers now also produce womenswear – but none of them were present on the London fashion week schedule this season. London is far from alone – fashion weeks in New York, Paris and Milan barely fared better - but it is striking given the capital is typically considered to have a more diverse offering. This is broadly still the case, with brands from Black male designers such as Jawara Alleyne and Labrum highlights, along with events from British-Yemeni designer Kazna Asker and Simone Rocha, who has Irish and Chinese heritage. But in a city where 13.5% of the population is Black, it's striking that there is less spotlight on the experiences and creativity of this demographic. '[Fashion week] is such an important space to amplify the stories that need amplification,' says Coker. 'Being specifically positioned as not just a Black female designer, but a luxury designer, gives a certain dignity and autonomy to what luxury can mean and what it can look like.' In 2020, Kenya Hunt, the editor-in-chief of ELLE UK, produced a BBC documentary called Race and Fashion, which looked at the 'paucity of Black designers, because it was shocking to me'. She says that while it has been 'amazing to see the growth and progression' with Black women in menswear – a sector that is projected to be worth £750.8bn by 2033 – the fact it has not been matched in womenswear is disappointing. 'I've sat on the juries for various prizes, and it's been noted in the designer shortlists coming through,' says Hunt. 'It is quite noticeable.' Following George Floyd's murder in 2020, industries across the board looked more at structural racism and pushed to make space for Black talent. Fashion was no different, with diversity and inclusion policies put in place across companies. But, as a 2023 report suggests, 'public scrutiny on D&I is waning', suggesting progress could stall. 'It's [become] even more important to be strategic,' says Hunt. 'There needs to be a collective discussion, at every point in the pipeline.' Fashion and the Arts Creating Equity (FACE) - was set up in 2021 to improve diversity in education. 'The elitism of the fashion industry starts very early,' says executive council member Benita Odogwu-Atkinson, a creative and fashion education consultant. 'Black students often don't want to go to a place like Central Saint Martins [widely considered to be the 'best' place to study fashion in the UK] because they feel it's very elitist.' Odogwu-Atkinson thinks that a different approach at university-level would change a lot: 'If students are moved on with a lot of inner strength and belief in themselves, they will keep knocking on doors, but if you've already clipped their wings they're not going forward.' Sign up to Fashion Statement Style, with substance: what's really trending this week, a roundup of the best fashion journalism and your wardrobe dilemmas solved after newsletter promotion The situation is compounded by what is known as the 'you can't be what you can't see' factor, says Harris Elliott, curator of 2023's exhibition of Black British fashion history The Missing Thread. Elliott points to seeing Black British designer Joe Casely-Hayford in the pages of i-D when he was studying. 'It gave me a glimmer of hope that there might be a possibility for me to develop a career in design.' He adds: 'If there aren't many Black female designers, then why would you ever even dream that it's an opportunity for you?' Along with Coker and Ajobi, there are London womenswear talents who are not on the fashion week schedule; the British-Jamaican designer Francesca Lake, lace specialist Oiza and modest fashion brand Sabirah are names to know, along with Feben and Torisheju. If class and lack of financial privilege is a struggle for many young talents, Black women are also up against 'misogynoir,' a term coined by gay black feminist American academic Moya Bailey and defined as 'the particular brand of hatred directed at black women in American visual and popular culture'. Even in an apparently progressive industry like fashion, Odogwu-Atkinson identifies a bias towards men. Male Black designers, she says, are 'far and few between'. But 'we as women always come below and underneath that'. Olivia Overton, the founder of Oiza, thinks this prejudice trickles down to consumers. 'I think we have unconsciously been conditioned to trust white males,' she says. 'It's harder for black women, maybe because there's not that trust where it should be. It's almost like we don't belong in that space.' There is also pigeonholing at work. 'If you're a Black designer, they always feel you have to come from a Black perspective,' says Odogwu-Atkinson. 'You're always stereotyped into either looking at your culture or at sportswear.' Deborah Latouche, who works at Sabirah, says this may be part of why her success has been limited at London fashion week. 'Sabirah is womenswear luxury,' she explains. 'Maybe I don't fit into what is considered a Black, female-owned brand. If you are a Black-owned brand, do you need to do sportswear?' Ultimate equality, of course, is for a designer to be judged for creativity first. 'Regardless of what colour I am, we are a brand first,' says Latouche.
