How Are Minority Groups Represented in Film and Television? Essay Example

stopped by police just because they were Asian. On 7th July 2005 another attack happened but this time in London. 7 main stations were bombed in London and a bus which just fuelled the hatred for Asian people.There were a series of shootings and stabbings aimed at black people and they were killed.

The media attacked it and made people believe that all black people carried guns and all Asians were terrorists. People were scared to walk past them in fear of being shot or blown up. Years have passed since these incidents but people are still wary of Asian and black people. This essay will focus on how cultural groups are represented both before and after these incidents. There are many films/programs that portray Asian and black people: East is East; Bhaji on the Beach; Love + Hate.In East is East George (the father) is stereotyped as the strict father who everyone must listen to.

He represents the ‘acceptable’ face of Islam. He is hypocritical because he wants his sons to be ‘good Muslim boys’ and marry Muslim women, yet he has married a white woman (Ella), who accepts the Muslim culture but finds it hard. His sons Teri and Saleem are influenced by the western music and clothes (saleem says to his dad he is doing an engineering degree but everyone knows it’s an art degree). Maneer is the religious0one in the family and the others call him Ghandi even though Ghandi was a Hindu.This shows that they don’t know much about their culture or heritage. They see them selves as ‘British’ and reject all concepts of Islamic tradition, which is alien to

them! Love + Hate is about four people from very different backgrounds and cultures.

This film text deals with how races struggle to integrate and how religion can be hypocritical. Naseema is Asian and British born and when she goes to work in DIY shop Adam (who is white) doesn’t agree because of her race. He comes from a very racist family and upbringing. He becomes confused with his feelings about Naseema as he knows his family and friends won’t agree or condone it.Yousef is Naseema’s brother and is a hypocrite. He has suspicions about Naseema and boys (Adam) and doesn’t condone it, yet he cruises the streets where he meets Michelle (who works with both Naseema and Adam) and falls in love with her.

Adam plays around with Naseema at the beginning leaving her mystified about their relationship, but as time evolves so does their feelings until Adam’s brother beats up her dad who has been stereotyped as a taxi driver. This scene is displeasing and shocking to watch. They work out their problems and end up running away together while Yousef and Michelle split up because he has realised that he can’t carry it n. This film shows me that no matter how you are brought up, you can fall in love unexpectedly and it may be better following your heart and be happy rather than follow your head and be miserable.

In the last 10 years Asian comedy shows have developed onto screen: Goodness Gracious Me and the Kumar’s at No 42. These programs basically take the mick out of Asian culture and stereotypes. They mark a change in how race and

cultural identity can be turned on its head and appeal to a unanimous audience. Here the idea is to use humour to make us think about our own identities and cultures. In one episode of GGM, they go out for an ‘English’.

They pronounce the waiters name wrong and order the ‘blandest thing on the menu’. They have swapped round what the English would say when they go out for an Indian. By twisting it all around, it adds a novelty value to it. Another sketch shows a stereotype of a strict Asian parent.

His son receives a B and he rants on saying he should have got an A. this stereotypes Asian parents as being career obsessed. A stereotype that does not always ring true! Life on Mars has a black policeman in one episode D. C Glen Fletcher. He comes in to the station and makes racist comments about himself so the others feel comfortable, he tries to fit in. n the early 70’s there weren't many positive roles for black people.

So L. O. M presents us with realism to a certain extent. It shows us a character who is aware of his colour at every time. The only way he feels he will be accepted is to become ‘one of the lads’. He uses the stereotype of black people in the 70’s as a ‘rod to beat himself’.

This makes his white colleagues laugh, and subsequently becomes accepted! L. O. M was a clever programme that was made in 2006, but represented a time of racist and sexist behaviour. These days we can laugh at such behaviour; but how far have we

really come from escaping such views?Bollywood films have changed in the past few years. They started out as being cultural films about historical times or children defying parents, people overcoming obstacles.

Now they are a lot more modern-westernised. The clothes have changed; it used to be traditional dress (shalwar kameez and saris) now its skimpy tops, dresses and mini skirts. The story lines have no meaning; they are about nothing in particular. It is upsetting because Asian/Indian films have been infected with western culture. These films used to be something different to watch, something that had meaning rather than something that means nothing.

Bollywood film texts have started to become fashionable and even watched by a more mainstream audience. It seems being Asian has become almost fashionable to some! In conclusion: it is certainly the case that roles have become more prominent in recent years, but the stereotypes still exist. The media is a powerful tool and can shape our perceptions. In this case we need to be able to look beyond the stereotypes and make up our own minds! How far has the representation of minority groups come? Who know… we shall have to wait and see.