THE WILD WEST
UK, 1992, 100 minutes, Colour.
Naveen Andrews, Sarita Choudhury.
Directed by David Attwood.
The Wild West is not an American western but a British film. It is a British- Pakistani film about three brothers in London who have musical ambitions. Their group dresses as cowboys and they have the ethos of the American west - with the desire of going to Nashville and having international success. The film's title also serves as an image for Pakistanis trying to live in the frontier in London.
The film has a strong performance by Naveen Andrews as Zaf, the central brother, who can't keep a job, who clashes with his family but who has the aim of being a country and western star. Sarita Choudhury (Mississippi Marsala, The House of the Spirits) is a strong presence as Rifat, the unhappily married woman who becomes a lead singer for the group.
The film has a lot of humour as well as pathos in its presentation of the characters, especially the older generation and the boys' mother. The film can be compared with the more serious looks at Pakistanis in England, Hanif Kureishi's My Beautiful Laundrette, London Kills Me, Sammi and Rosie Get Laid, as well as such Indian- British films as Bhaji On The Beach.
1.Interesting and entertaining film about Pakistanis, Pakistani culture, the transporting of Pakistani culture to England, the British reaction to the Pakistani migrants? A film of music and ambitions?
2.The London settings, West London, the homes and the shops? The halls? The contrast with Central London, the business district, the office buildings?
3.The musical score, the range of songs? The use of Nancy Rivers' songs? Of Steve Earle songs?
4.The title, the ethos of the American west? As applied to West London? As a symbol for the experiences of the Pakistanis?
5.The family: the three brothers, their home, work? The mother and her trying to settle in the new country? Zaf and his work, fired from his mechanic's job? Ali, postman, the second-hand car business? Kay and his education? The country and western band, the Honky Tonk Cowboys? The desire for the record contract?
6.Zaf and the supermarket encounter with Rifat, Zaf and his going to his uncle, trying to learn to be a butcher? The vegetarian? His inability at his job - walking out? His relationship with his mother, her inability to rely on him? The encounters with Rifat, trying to persuade her to leave her husband, the country and western songs, her becoming the singer in the group? Her leaving her husband and joining the group? Zaf and the continued success? Reliance on their manager? The possibility of the recording - and the company: Wild West?
7.Rifat, her relationship with her husband, his driving the cars, his brutality? The attraction of Zaf, his pursuing her, her decision to leave her husband, moving in with the family, her singing?
8.The mother, life in Britain, the hardships? Having to rely on her sons? The decision to sell the house, the hostility towards Ugly Abdul? Her decision to give her sons the cheque - and leaving them to themselves? Her retreating from life in London?
9.The cousin, Ugly Abdul, the pressure on the family, the selling of the house, the money? Zaf's uncle, the butchers at the market, the skills needed, his taking Zaf on, losing patience?
10.Jag, the management, supporting the group, the record contract? The success of the group in North London - the Irish pub? The demonstration, taking Rifat? The reaction to the group, the decision to want Rifat as the solo artist?
11.The effect on the group, the effect on Rifat? Zaf and his wanting Rifat to have success? The ambitions for America, persuading his brothers to buy the tickets to Nashville? The packing up and going to Heathrow for the flight? The possibility of the fulfilment of their ambitions?
12.Genial characters? Sympathetic characters in difficult situations? Harsh behaviour? Family interrelationships?
13.The perceptive comments on the difficulties for migrants in contemporary England? Prejudice, adaptation, the details of different lifestyles and cultures?
14.Country and western and songs, performance as a common denominator for young people in the modern world?
