MY SON THE FANATIC
UK, 1997, 87 minutes, Colour.
Om Puri, Rachel Griffiths, Stellan Skarsgaard.
Directed by Udayan Prasad.
My Son the Fanatic is directed by Udayan Prasad, director of Brothers in Trouble, another film about migrants in the United Kingdom who come from the Indian subcontinent.
This time the screenplay is by novelist Hanif Kureishi, author of such films as Sammy and Rosie Get Laid, London Kills Me, Intimacy, My Beautiful Laundrette. The film focuses on a taxi driver in a Yorkshire city, at his work for twenty-five years. His son is about to marry - however, the engagement is suddenly broken off. The son joins a strict Islamic sect who move into his house, controlling everything within the house, indoctrinating young men who go out to attack what they consider immorality in the streets, especially prostitutes. The taxi driver has befriended a prostitute and his a key to arranging liaisons for visiting businessmen. Stellan Skarsgaard plays a German who relies on the taxi driver. Rachel Griffiths is a prostitute who befriends the taxi driver and begins a liaison with him. Everything comes to a crisis when his son attacks the prostitutes, including his friend. His wife is angry with him, his son moving out. He has to face the dilemma of whether he goes off with the young woman or stays in his home, hoping that his son and wife will return.
The film is very well acted, gives insight into groups in the United Kingdom, the clashes of culture and religion. The film was released in 1997 but has far more relevance at the beginning of the 21st century with the war on terrorism.
1. Impact of the film in England? Racial minorities? The long presence in England? Different cultures, from the British Empire? Religious backgrounds? Integration or non-integration? The issues in the 90s, at the beginning of the 21st century, war on terrorism, Iraq war_?
2. The Yorkshire settings, the homes and the streets, the clubs and the restaurants? An authentic atmosphere? Musical score? Songs?
3. The title, the focus on the father, Pavez, and his son Farid? The ordinariness of the household, the son marrying a policeman's daughter, interracial marriage? The opening with the meeting, the two mothers, the two fathers, the engaged couple, the photos? The British disdain? The Asian family wanting to please? The irony of Pavez meeting the fiancee, finding the engagement was off, discovering that his son had become involved in a strict Islamic sect?
4. Pavez, his background, age, experience, memories? The long marriage? Bringing up his son? Driving the taxi for twenty-five years? His customers? His friendship with the prostitutes, arranging liaisons for them? Picking up Mr Schitz at the airport? His being hired by him, arranging for Bettina to meet him, the girls at the party? Schitz's treatment of him? At the end, the riot, Pavez putting Mr Schitz on the streets?
5. Farid, his age, background, education? The engagement? Breaking it, his change of clothes, his meeting with the young men? Getting his father to meet the guru at the airport? The guru moving in? The upsetting of the household, the wife eating in the kitchen, taking over the rooms? The meetings, discussions? Their going on the rampage? The guru and his wanting to stay in England, asking Pavez to arrange it? The final demonstration against the prostitutes, the violence, Farid spitting at them? The portrait of these sects, their beliefs, religious grounding, fanaticism and narrow-mindedness? The propensity for violence?
6. Bettina, her real name Sandra? In the taxi, the relationship with Schitz, her dresses, wigs? Her ordinariness when talking with Pavez? Her performance as a prostitute, at the parties? The ordinariness, the outings, the discussions, Pavez taking her to the restaurant and her being humiliated? The friendship, the sexual liaison? Pavez and his denying it? His finally admitting it to his wife? To his son?
7. The small circle, everybody knowing everybody else's business? The successful restaurateur? The lavish meal for Pavez and his son? Ousting Bettina/Sandra? Pavez going to him for the loan, tearing up the cheque after feeling humiliated?
8. Mr Schitz, the German businessman, arrogance, sexual liaisons, business? Leaving town? The businessman and the sex tourist?
9. The character of the son, his change of heart, going to the restaurant with his father, his growing fanaticism, his leaving home, his father driving after him, offering to stay at home waiting for him to return? The wife, her patience, the long marriage? Her discovery of the truth, wanting to leave - but probably returning?
10. The crisis in Pavez's life? The end, going home, leaving Sandra and her hopes for a trip to India, thinking of the age difference between them, yet her genuine love for him, turning on all the lights, sitting on the steps waiting?
