I Am Nasrine (Official Trailer) from Bridge+Tunnel on Vime
On Wednesday 10 October, I visited the Discovery Centre in Winchester for their monthly screening. This particular screening was called 'I am Nasrine' and was directed by an Irani lady who based the film on her own personal experiences. Basically it is about an Iranian girls journey of self discovery and the ability to find oneself and an eternal search for home.
When they arrive in Britain via an illegal truck, their fate and their future are far from certain. Nasrine is quick to settle into her new life, making friends with Nichole, a member of the Gypsy traveller community. However, Ali struggles with the realities of life in the UK, as well as his awakening sexuality. Then comes 9/11, and a surge of prejudice and hostility from her adopted community. As Nasrine finds the courage to accept her fate, she discovers that the end of her journey is really just the beginning.
Interesting
Points discussed
The film didn't appear to represent the border control very well as it seemed fairly easy for the truck to enter the UK without having to go through any security checks. Once they are in the UK they are given a temporary home whilst their asylum case is being investigated but even this council estate flat was described as a 'shit hole' by Ali. It is also illegal for them to work however Ali manages to work for a car wash company with other illegal immigrants and gets another job in a local kebab shop which I believe represents our society literally. It is assumed by the audience that Nasrine would come over here and take advantage of our education system to finish off her schooling and become a doctor or lawyer. It is therefore interesting that instead she decides to skip school and learn about the Roma Gypsy community eventually ending up as a potential gypsy wife or film maker.
This leads me on to discuss a main theme throughout the film of alienation. At the beginning of the film we see Nasrine on the back of a motorbike filming Iran. It appears that she is standing back and distancing herself from seeing Iran and what is going on. The way she comes over to the UK and is seen as an outcast is emphasised by the friendship with the Gypsies who are also viewed as an outcast to society as she feels she can relate to them. However the representation of the Roma Gypsies in this film was positive as they seemed to welcome her into their community which isn't common and accepted Nasrine as one of them which she eventually comes to enjoy. Another main theme that links to this is becoming of age and the choices we have to make as we grow up. The phone call at the end of the film sums this up directly as she decides that she wants to remain in the UK and fulfil her life here. The horses of the Gypsies are a metaphor for her life as she doesn't know where she is heading in the future however she has now taken the reins of her life and is no longer the horse being broken in as seen in the film.
The language barrier was another interesting factor that I should mention as it comes across in the film that they aren't restricted in any way when it comes to the English language. This may be the way the film portrays it and doesn't reflect everyone that comes over to the country. However it may also be that English is taught over in Iran therefore they have no problem with understanding the language. The film is from Nasrine's point of view and allows us to understand and see the world in a different way. Her jerky hand held camera work was a little hard to follow at times but she draws attention to it as she is a film maker which makes us watch the film as a film. When Ali was killed by a local gang the picture was very dark and we couldn't see what happened to him. This allows the audience to use their imagination whilst creating discomfort for them as they know that he is being killed. This aspect reminds you that its a personal live situation and it portrays the events happening which makes the audience feel like they are actually there.
It portrays life as very shaky and scary until you come to terms and familiar with the culture as its harder when you are stressed and confused which makes your perception of things this way. Another side point that should be added is the fact that their parents lost their children twice which portrays life in the fact that there are different ways to lose and gain people. For instance Nasrine lost her family and gained a boyfriend from a different different culture as well as friends and a new life.
Overall, this film really gave me an incite into a different lifestyle and the true harshness of having to start your whole life again from scratch. It also makes the audience understand just how simple and happy the life is that we have over here and for us to not be scared of change as it can be a positive thing like in the case of Nasrine.
The film didn't appear to represent the border control very well as it seemed fairly easy for the truck to enter the UK without having to go through any security checks. Once they are in the UK they are given a temporary home whilst their asylum case is being investigated but even this council estate flat was described as a 'shit hole' by Ali. It is also illegal for them to work however Ali manages to work for a car wash company with other illegal immigrants and gets another job in a local kebab shop which I believe represents our society literally. It is assumed by the audience that Nasrine would come over here and take advantage of our education system to finish off her schooling and become a doctor or lawyer. It is therefore interesting that instead she decides to skip school and learn about the Roma Gypsy community eventually ending up as a potential gypsy wife or film maker.
This leads me on to discuss a main theme throughout the film of alienation. At the beginning of the film we see Nasrine on the back of a motorbike filming Iran. It appears that she is standing back and distancing herself from seeing Iran and what is going on. The way she comes over to the UK and is seen as an outcast is emphasised by the friendship with the Gypsies who are also viewed as an outcast to society as she feels she can relate to them. However the representation of the Roma Gypsies in this film was positive as they seemed to welcome her into their community which isn't common and accepted Nasrine as one of them which she eventually comes to enjoy. Another main theme that links to this is becoming of age and the choices we have to make as we grow up. The phone call at the end of the film sums this up directly as she decides that she wants to remain in the UK and fulfil her life here. The horses of the Gypsies are a metaphor for her life as she doesn't know where she is heading in the future however she has now taken the reins of her life and is no longer the horse being broken in as seen in the film.
The language barrier was another interesting factor that I should mention as it comes across in the film that they aren't restricted in any way when it comes to the English language. This may be the way the film portrays it and doesn't reflect everyone that comes over to the country. However it may also be that English is taught over in Iran therefore they have no problem with understanding the language. The film is from Nasrine's point of view and allows us to understand and see the world in a different way. Her jerky hand held camera work was a little hard to follow at times but she draws attention to it as she is a film maker which makes us watch the film as a film. When Ali was killed by a local gang the picture was very dark and we couldn't see what happened to him. This allows the audience to use their imagination whilst creating discomfort for them as they know that he is being killed. This aspect reminds you that its a personal live situation and it portrays the events happening which makes the audience feel like they are actually there.
It portrays life as very shaky and scary until you come to terms and familiar with the culture as its harder when you are stressed and confused which makes your perception of things this way. Another side point that should be added is the fact that their parents lost their children twice which portrays life in the fact that there are different ways to lose and gain people. For instance Nasrine lost her family and gained a boyfriend from a different different culture as well as friends and a new life.
Overall, this film really gave me an incite into a different lifestyle and the true harshness of having to start your whole life again from scratch. It also makes the audience understand just how simple and happy the life is that we have over here and for us to not be scared of change as it can be a positive thing like in the case of Nasrine.
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