Saturday, June 18, 2011

Boyish Love X Identity Alert: My Beautiful Launderette

In My Beautiful Launderette,

a multi-dimensional issue of identity

such as youth, race and political identities are delved into.

The issue of sexuality and gender

are the most prominent features of the movie

My Beautiful Laundrette movie poster

 

The issue of homosexuality is

one of the main themes explored in the movie.

The affectionate love between Omar and Johnny

is shown more through their attitude

rather than too explicit sexual scenes.

Omar & Johnny 04

 

However, 1980’s is not yet the period

when homosexuality is generally

being explored openly in the media.

Therefore the boys are seen more like

a playful but sincere couple.

Omar & Johnny

 

At the same time,

they are still experimenting heterosexual relationships,

e.g.: Omar says that he would still like to marry Tania.

 

On a deeper level,

the homosexuality issue here is intertwined

with racism concern.

The social stigma which they face will be doubled.

Perhaps,

the degree of acceptance will be higher

if both of them are white boys.

Omar & Johnny 02

 

The issue of inter-racial relationship is

examined further in the relationship of

Nasser and his white mistress, Rachel.

They are seeing each other in public places

without much difficulty.

 

Therefore,

it pretty much boils down to the economic power.

When you are rich,

you will be recognized with social status,

people cannot do anything about it, can they?

Just make sure that you do not mingle

with a family who are still practicing black magic.

 

Looking from another perspective,

Nasser is a family-orientated man,

so his involvement with Rachel may

implies deeper motive on his part.

He wants to move up the social ladder faster and

indulges himself in the Westernized pleasures

which his traditionally reserved wife

cannot provide him with.

 

Additionally,

having a white mistress gives him

the pride of being the influential businessman.

It can be part of his agenda to

get rid of his Pakistani identity.

 

The relationships between young migrants

are still pretty much confined

to the traditional ways.

Tania is an open-minded and rebellious girl.

She likes Omar alright,

but she hates the idea of arrange marriage.

She could not stand the idea of her parents

arranging everything for her,

including shaping Omar to be a businessman

so that he can take over the family business one day

if they really get married.

 

Therefore she chooses to run away from home.

As she said,

the spider web of male domination in the family

is swallowing them up.

 

Additionally,

the film looks into the role expectancy of

different genders in a Pakistani community.

Young boy like Omar is expected to

go into family business

while girls are to be married away

to a decent family.

They should become decent housewives and

raise good children.

 

This is another reason why

Tania wants to run away from home.

With the Western education she receives,

she has bigger ambitions to think about.

 

In conclusion,

the movie achieves great success in

transmitting certain messages

on the issue of gender and sexuality.

 

Sex is not being exploited in the scenes

to sensationalize the film.

The subject is being discussed

in a sincere and realistic manner.

Omar & Johnny 03

 

yeah

I pretty much enjoy the movie.

 

My Beautiful Launderette / 1985