Asian stereotyping What are some of common Asian stereotypes? Hard working and studious Business minded Strong sense of family- close knit Good at Maths (and cricket) Money/status orientated Religious/moral Arranged marriages Passive (except for terrorists) Discuss: can you name some media examples where these stereotypes evident?

Recap What area of media are Asians well-represented in? – Broadcast news (but they are less well represented in film and music, areas we will be focusing on this year) Name 3 well-known Asian news broadcasters What might some possible reasons for this be? – Parental pressure to enter “high status” professions? – Perception that there is not a “market” for them (becomes self-perpetuating) in film or music? – Institutional pressure (e.g. prejudice in schools to take science based A Levels) Can you think of any examples of “ethnic niche media” targeted at Asians in Britain: – BBC Asian Network (closed earlier in the year) – STAR TV – Sunshine Radio – The Boleyn Cinema (East Ham, Bollywood) – Does this create ethnic communities, encouraging segregation rather than integration (and limiting the representation of Asians in the media to a niche (vs mainstream) audience?) What word describes how media has expanded and the consequent greater choice of media products? – Fragmentation

BBC Asian Network Discuss: was this a station allowing a broad audience access to Asian music and culture or one that was “niche media”, segregating its audience

The ‘Apu’ issue The character of Apu in the Simpsons divides opinion particularly amongst the Asian community. Watch this clip and then discuss his representation as an Asian character. ‘The Simpsons’ gets a way with it because it’s an animation and it uses exaggerated stereotypes to create humour (Chief Wiggum and the police, Krusty and Jewish). However the issue is whether non-Asian audiences are laughing at the character's ‘Asianess’ or at the ‘clever’ use of stereotyping?

How much do we know about Indo-Asian culture? In the UK we define anyone from what is known as the ‘Indian sub-continent’ as being Asian. In the US, Asians are those from oriental Asia (China, Japan, Korea etc). What nations make up the Indian sub-continent? India Pakistan ( which was part of India until 1948) Sri Lanka Bangladesh Discuss: How could you tell the difference between people of these nations? Language Physical difference Clothing Food Religion

Indian sub-continent quiz In which country is Karachi? What religion is this a symbol of? Which country used to be known as Ceylon? In which country is the cricketer Sachin Tendulkar from? Which UK city has the highest concentration of UK Asians? In which country do they speak Punjabi ? From which country are most of the UK owners of Indian restaurants from? What is a samosa? What meat are Muslims forbidden to eat? In Indian weddings what is the dowry?

…answers Pakistan Hindu Sri Lanka India Leicester India Bangladesh A pastry with a veg or meat filling Pork Money given to the bride’s family from the groom’s family.

Media and Collective Identity Glossary Are there any words or terms you are not familiar with?

Islam Discuss in pairs what you understand by the term “Islam”

World Muslim Population

The Hijab “The meaning of the hijab ranges from a form of empowerment for the woman choosing to wear it to a means of containment imposed by others” Demonstrates resistance to and independence from western culture?

Homework Research colonialism and post-colonialism Answer the question: “Do you think colonialism is different to imperialism?” Do not use wikipedia! Write at least 250 words…

The British Film Industry

What is British cinema? British film is not as straightforward as it might initially seem. Some films are made in Britain by Hollywood, some films are about Britain but not made in Britain and so on….the film industry is incredibly international! TASK : Discuss these questions in pairs: Does the subject, story and / or setting of the film have to be British? What are British films about? Is there such a thing as a typical British film? Does it have to be made by a British director? Can you name any? Does it have to be made in Britain? Does it have to be funded by a British company? Do you know the names of companies that produce British films? Should it be made mainly for a British audience? Do you know any examples?

British films - Task Watch each of the following clips from British films. What makes them British? The setting The story and themes The culture The cast

4 WEDDINGS The setting – LONDON, SOMERSET The story and themes – traditional british wedding – May 1 st – bank hols The culture – full english breakfast, big hats, church stone…british hymn, swearing…bugger The cast – hugh grant (best man) forgetful, bumbling idiot Priest – rowan atkinson quirky, awkward, slapstick Cousin Scarlet – striking red hair – skeleton ring – quirky dress…punk – eccentric, confident

Definitions of British film Legally a British film should have: Been mostly made in Britain with mostly a British cast and crew. Must be mostly British financed. Must represent Britain.

British cinema – further questions to consider…. Most British films are produced in a very small area of the country – London and the South East, does this make them representative of the country? Most British films are made by white middle aged men, does this make them representative? How much do you think British films are influenced by Hollywood? Task: Look at the following posters and make notes on how the represent ‘Britishness’.

British Talent Since the 1930s the British film industry has struggled to compete with the influx of Hollywood films and the power of the Hollywood studio system. Unlike the US, Britain has never had a studio system. In addition many of the best British talents have emigrated to the Hollywood system. Task: How many British actors and directors that are now ‘big’ in Hollywood can you name?

Recent example: Parminder Nagra from ‘Bend it Like Beckham’. Leicester born actress. Began in local theatre and discovered by channel 4 talent scout. Got part in ‘Beckham’ and whilst in LA promoting film she got part as Dr Neela in US hospital drama ‘ER’.

Problems with British film? Hollywood power: Most UK films are independently made and find it difficult to compete with the big US multi- national companies. The market is saturated by US imports. US films have more money to market/advertise. American imperialism: We are living in an ‘Americanised country that is generally dominated by US culture( think of the music and TV industries as well). The idea of ‘Britishness’: until recently the British film industry was accused of ignoring issues and subject matter of those outside of the ‘white mainstream’. Recently films like ‘Bend it Like Beckham’, East is East, ‘Dirty Pretty Things’ and ‘Bullet Boy have begun to challenge British cultural stereotypes.