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South Asian Heritage Month
Reclaiming the history and identity of British South Asians - through film.
South Asian Heritage Month runs from mid-July to mid-August every year. It seeks to raise the profile of British South Asian heritage and history in the UK through education, arts, culture and commemoration, with the goal of helping people to better understand the diversity of present-day Britain and improve social cohesion across the country. Here we present a selection of films that enhance understanding about what it means to be South Asian in the modern age, as well as looking to the past to see how Britain became the diverse country it is today.
Eaten by LionsEaten by Lions
Comedy201895 minsDirector: Jason Wingard
In search of his estranged father, Omar sets off to Blackpool with half-brother Pete in this heartwarming multicultural road trip comedy starring BAFTA-nominated actor Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing).
The LunchboxThe Lunchbox
Drama2013105 minsDirector: Ritesh Batra
Mismatched lunchboxes lead to an unlikely romance in this exquisite Indian drama, brimful of tantalising food and elegantly delivered wisdom.
HostileHostile
Documentary202293 minsDirector: Sonita Gale
This powerful BAFTA recognised documentary explores the personal stories of those affected by the UK's ‘hostile environment’ policies.
The Blood of HussainThe Blood of Hussain
Drama1981106 minsDirector: Jamil Dehlavi
Allegorical tale of revolutionary struggle against injustice and oppression which follows the mourning procession for the murdered Hussain, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.
Immaculate ConceptionImmaculate Conception
Drama1992123 minsDirector: Jamil Dehlavi
A western couple struggling to conceive a child visit a fertility shrine in Karachi and find themselves caught in a world of fantasy and exploitation.
Towers of SilenceTowers of Silence
Drama197551 minsDirector: Jamil Dehlavi
Weaving together scenes of Zoroastrian funerary rituals, Jamil Dehlavi's early experimental film juxtaposes traumatic landscapes of sex, death, and faith.
I'm British But...I'm British But...
Documentary198929 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha
Britain beats to the sound of Bhangra and Bangla in Gurinder Chadha's debut film.
Sixth HappinessSixth Happiness
Biopic199794 minsDirector: Waris Hussein
Funny, acerbic and moving story of a young man's sexual awakening as family life crumbles around him.
My Sunny MaadMy Sunny Maad
Animation & Artists Moving Image202182 minsDirector: Michaela Pavlátová
When Herra, a Czech woman, falls in love with Nazir, an Afghan man, she has no idea about the life that awaits her in Afghanistan, nor about the family she is about to join.
More from South Asian Heritage Month in Rentals.