Bhaji on the Beach (1994)
Director: Gurinder Chada
It is quite clear. Man is always restless. He is never happy with anything. He is always looking for greener pastures. It may be his inborn desire to spread his wings, to improve himself and subsequently propel mankind to higher of achievement. But, what is this achievement? Does progress technological advancement, ease of living or carrying out the traditions set out by our fathers and creating a peaceful world where everyone can hold hands together, look at each other and say 'Joy to the world, joy boys and girls, joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea and the joy to you and me!'?
We seem to uproot from their native country, leave stock and barrel and explore greener pastures with a chest full of hope that their newfound motherland would be a land of milk and money. Surprise, surprise. True, some of the things that the new country has to offer are worlds apart with what they grew up. But, their sojourn also marks the evolution of new problems. They are particularly disturbed with the embracement of their offspring of the cultures of their new masters. The elders are not particularly happy with this development as they perceive their age-old traditions to be far superior. That is where the friction starts!
In essence, this is the issue the filmmaker is trying to explore in this light comedy. A kind of self-appointed feminist social worker organises a day trip to the beach to a group of Punjabi British ladies, ranging from teenage girls, a soon to be a medical student, a young mother, a middle-aged lady all through to a senior citizen. Each come aboard with a psychological baggage. The journey does not solve any of their problems but gives them a clearer mind to face the challenges of their lives.
The grass is always greener on the neighbours' lawns because they are so full of manure. Move over to their abode to realise the stench, the flies and the 'booby traps' when you walk on the grass! That does not mean we should be perpetually contented with we have and grateful that things could worse or should we build our nationalistic spirit and challenge the status quo or the inertia in our own backyard? Points to ponder.
Director: Gurinder Chada
We seem to uproot from their native country, leave stock and barrel and explore greener pastures with a chest full of hope that their newfound motherland would be a land of milk and money. Surprise, surprise. True, some of the things that the new country has to offer are worlds apart with what they grew up. But, their sojourn also marks the evolution of new problems. They are particularly disturbed with the embracement of their offspring of the cultures of their new masters. The elders are not particularly happy with this development as they perceive their age-old traditions to be far superior. That is where the friction starts!
In essence, this is the issue the filmmaker is trying to explore in this light comedy. A kind of self-appointed feminist social worker organises a day trip to the beach to a group of Punjabi British ladies, ranging from teenage girls, a soon to be a medical student, a young mother, a middle-aged lady all through to a senior citizen. Each come aboard with a psychological baggage. The journey does not solve any of their problems but gives them a clearer mind to face the challenges of their lives.
The grass is always greener on the neighbours' lawns because they are so full of manure. Move over to their abode to realise the stench, the flies and the 'booby traps' when you walk on the grass! That does not mean we should be perpetually contented with we have and grateful that things could worse or should we build our nationalistic spirit and challenge the status quo or the inertia in our own backyard? Points to ponder.
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