Bend
It Like Beckham
Description of Film:
Bend It Like Beckham tackles two different types
of discrimination. Jess (Parminder Nagra), an
Indian girl born in England, faces the tough
task of adhering to her family traditions while
chasing her dreams. Not only must Jess face
the challenges of being Indian in a different
culture, but she also must struggle to be a
woman soccer player in a man‘s game. Her
new friend Juliet (Keira Knightley) helps her
secretly join a girls' soccer (football) team
under the direction of a male coach (Jonathan
Rhys Meyers). When the team starts winning,
her family discovers her dream of being a professional
soccer player. Jess’s parents have a difficult
time forgiving past discrimination and balancing
their Indian traditions with the English society.
As the family grows, they are able to work as
a unit and find a balance in their world. The
story of Bend It Like Beckham is able to grab
its audience with its genuine description of
Indian life and its engaging characters. The
devotion of the director Gurinder Chadha (Bhaji
on the Beach, What's Cooking?) comes through
in this movie. “Bend it Like Beckham”
transcends all types to send a poignant and
inspiring message.
Bend It Like Beckham was nominated for a Golden
Globe Award and won an ESPY for Best Sports
Movie. This movie was nominated for and won
17 awards internationally.
Why I Recommend This Film:
This movie is a high-spirited comedy.
This is a great “girl-power” movie
with a strong and important message. It’s
easy to rally behind the characters and cheer
for them. It also allows audiences to learn
about an ethnicity and culture that is seldom
illustrated in American movies. It also provides
a wonderful lesson in rebelling against traditions
without ruining friendships or families.
Why This Film is Important:
This movie depicts two types of discrimination.
The movie does not simply deal with race, but
the gender-based traditions of an entire culture.
The role of gender in different cultures is
an important issue that merits discussion but
is rarely portrayed in film.
Favorite Quotation:
Joe: “Look, Jess. I saw it.
She fouled you. She tugged your shirt. You just
overreacted, that's all. ”
Jess: “That's not all. She
called me a Paki. But I guess that's something
you wouldn't understand.”
Joe: “Jess, I'm Irish. Of
course I understand what that feels like.
Reference: http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/benditlikebeckham |
