Rentals
South Asian Heritage Month
Reclaiming the history and identity of British South Asians - through film.
South Asian Heritage Month runs from 18th July to 17th 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 21st century, as well as looking to the past to see how Britain became the diverse country it is today.
Bhaji on the BeachBhaji on the Beach
Comedy1993101 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha's charming and critically acclaimed comedy about a group of British Asian women from Birmingham who bond during a day-trip to Blackpool.
Bend it Like BeckhamBend it Like Beckham
Sport2002112 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha’s smash hit about an Asian girl with an undying love for football.
Bride & PrejudiceBride & Prejudice
Musical2004107 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha’s Bollywood retelling of Austen’s classic romance is an all-round joy, adding colour and song to Austen’s evergreen wit.
Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire
Drama2008120 minsDirector: Danny Boyle
Danny Boyle’s crowdpleaser, based around the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, won the Oscar for best picture.
The WarriorThe Warrior
Crime200187 minsDirector: Asif Kapadia
Irfan Khan stars in this stately swordplay epic from director Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna) which earned critical comparisons with Kurosawa.
Around India with a Movie CameraAround India with a Movie Camera
Documentary201873 minsDirector: Sandhya Suri
Archive footage tells the emotionally-resonant story of life across India pre-1947.
East Is EastEast Is East
Comedy199997 minsDirector: Damien O'Donnell
Damien O'Donnell's charming comedy-drama about Zaheed Khan (Om Puri), the patriarch of a Pakistani-British family whose children begin to reject their heritage and embrace UK life.
All in Good TimeAll in Good Time
Comedy201194 minsDirector: Nigel Cole
A pair of newlyweds endure a honeymoon staying with the groom's parents in a comedy from East Is East writer Ayub Khan-Din.
Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.
Documentary201896 minsDirector: Steve Loveridge
Fascinating delve into the career, personality and politics of award-winning musician M.I.A.
Shiraz: A Romance of IndiaShiraz: A Romance of India
Historical drama1928106 minsSilentDirector: Franz Osten
This epic silent film, telling the ravishing, romantic story behind the Taj Mahal, has been newly restored with a sumptuous new score from Anoushka Shankar.
SparkbrookSparkbrook
Documentary196727 minsDirector: Vic Hughes
This Week reports from Birmingham and finds that slum housing affects all communities including local Irish, Pakistani and West Indian immigrants.
SikhsSikhs
196627 minsDirector: James Butler
Follow 'the great adventure of emigration' from Delhi to London.
MajdharMajdhar
Drama198478 minsDirector: Ahmed Alauddin Jamal
Abandoned by her husband through an arranged marriage, a young Pakistani woman decides to make a life in England
Viceroy's HouseViceroy's House
Drama2016106 minsDirector: Gurinder Chadha
Gurinder Chadha channels David Lean for this sweeping romance set during the last days of the Raj, with Hugh Bonneville and Gillian Anderson as Lord and Lady Mountbatten.
Circle of GoldCircle of Gold
Documentary198850 minsDirector: Uday Bhattacharya
Calcutta where myth, religion and folktales co-exist with aspirational life-style adverts
I Am Not He... SheI Am Not He... She
Drama2015108 minsDirector: B.S. Lingadevaru
Lingadevaru’s unforgettable drama, based on an empowering true story a young boy who travels to Bangalore to follow his dream of becoming a woman.
JugniJugni
Drama2016110 minsDirector: Shefali Bhushan
Exuberant Hindi romance about a composer searching for a golden voice, who unexpectedly falls for a vibrant younger performer.
Fireflies in the AbyssFireflies in the Abyss
Documentary201588 minsDirector: Chandrashekar Reddy
This absorbing documentary follows Suraj a 11-year-old boy who works in the 'rat-hole' mines in the Jaintia Hills of North East India, armed with nothing more than a pickaxe and a head torch. In these hostile pits, every day is a game of death.
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