Bend It Like Beckham
(2002) depicts a number of cultural
differences that may result in potential conflict between British and Indian (Punjabi,
Sikh) cultures. The film focuses on the main character, Jesminder Bhamra’s
desire to play football and the conflict she faces due to her family
obligations to her Sikh family. Jessminder Bhamra or Jess is left with a
dilemma whether to choose to pursue football or to follow her parents’ wish
which is simply to complete her studies and marry an Indian man. The film uses
comedy to diffuse the tension in the cultural clash between Western values on
personal freedom, personal choices, personal achievement and Indian values that
strongly value loyalty and obedience to the family as well as a more low
profile or humble role of an Asian woman. Now, let us explore some of the issues,
cultures, values and worldviews in the Indian Sikh culture from within the
movie.
Gender
Bias
Gender bias is
one of the predominantly portrayed features in the movie. Female are looked
down on and are believed as not capable of playing football as well as males
do. The interview in the beginning scene has explicitly described that Indian
girls are not supposed to play football for it is considered as inappropriate
and that is a shame for girls wearing shorts running in the field chasing after
a ball being watched by the crowd. Interestingly, Jess, an Indian girl loves
football and is fantasizing to be a professional footballer. Unfortunately her
gender and her Asian cultural background are not in favor for her aspirations. Being
an Asian girl, Jess is not supposed to play football with boys at the park and
to play for the girls’ team, not to say wearing shorts showing off her legs to
the spectators. Her acts have ashamed and outraged her parents. For Jess is
expected to behave like an Indian girl in general; cook Indian dishes and marry
an Indian man.
Juliet, a
British girl who eventually befriends Jess also fancies football. It is her who
brings Jess to join the girl’s team. Juliet’s mother also disapproves her
daughter’s hobby. However, it is not a matter of personal freedom, as we know
individual freedom is much emphasized in Western culture. Although, it may seem similar to Jess’
parents’ disapproval but if we observe closely, we will discover that Juliet’s
mother’s disapproval is not so much of a cultural issue but rather a very
pragmatic and parental reason of a mother who worries about her daughter’s
chance of marriage. For according to her personal feminine worldview, a woman’s
primary goal in life is to be married and in order to be married, one has to
look pretty. Her worldview tells that to be beautiful is to have fair skin and
a slim body. As playing football will make her daughter’s skin grow darker and
her muscle grow bigger and therefore she will eventually lose her beauty. Her
main concern is more “individual-based” – personal ideals.
Admittedly,
Jess’s mother does share similar worldview regarding the idea of “beauty” and a
woman’s primary goal in life is to marry a good husband however Jess’s mother’s
worldview is intermingled with her Sikh cultural background. Her main concern
is more “community-based” – community acceptance, shame. From a gender
perspective, both mothers share similar perspective on the role of women and
their purpose in life. They are supposed to focus more on attracting husbands,
marry good husbands therefore they are to dress up, make up, play no football
and behave like girls.
Half-naked
There was one
scene in the movie picturing Jesminder (Jess) and Juliet running side by side
passing two Indian women jogging in their Sari. This scene caught my eyes and
remind me of Moslems girls who would go jogging in their long sleeves and long
pants with their jilbab or veils on. Obviously,
Sikh culture requires girls to wear longer dress that provide more cover to
their bodies and definitely “Sari” is the most appropriate dress. It is
considered as indecent or inappropriate to reveal too much of their bodies. Jess’s
mom explicitly conveys her thinking on the issue of appearance when she said, “I will not allow my daughter running on
the field half-naked.”
It is my shame!
Punjabi or
Sikh culture is not so much a guilt-culture but it is obviously a shame-culture
as depicted in the movie. Jess’s mom felt ashamed of having her daughter “running
half-naked” (wearing shorts is regarded as inappropriate) in the football field.
Pinky and Teetu do not feel guilty of their sex behavior marriage but they would
feel ashamed if their sexual behavior is exposed. Honor and shame are very
crucial in Asian culture. Pinky and Teetu’s marriage is jeopardized when
Teetu’s mom mistakenly saw Jess kissing with an English boy (it was not Juliet and they were not kissing
but they were both laughing and hugging overwhelmed by joy) at the
bus-stop. It is a shame for Teetu's parents to have their son married to Pinky
with a sister who is regarded to be immoral as she engages in intimate behavior
in public. In order to avoid shame to the family, they have to call off the
wedding although the engagement ceremony has already been completed. Only when
they eventually found out that it was actually a misunderstanding as Jess was
just laughing and hugging Juliet as any younger generation will do expressing
their close friendship. Same reason why Jess is not allowed to be a footballer,
it is a matter of shame and larger family acceptance. The Sikh family is just
trying to protect their family’s honor and avoid becoming a laughing stock in
their community. Evidently, the family’s honour is paramount in Asian culture.
Respecting
elder
It is
interesting in the movie when Jessica’s mom asked Jess to teach her daughter
some respect to parents when she said, "Jess,
I hope you can teach my daughter a bit about your culture, including respect
for elders” She recognizes and emphasizes Indian cultures strong value on
respect to their elders. It implicitly portrays the value differences between
Western culture represented by the British and the Asian cultures represented
by the Indian Sikh culture in the movie.
Arranged
Marriage - Am I free to marry?
Arranged
marriage is common in the Sikh culture that is why Pinky and Teetu’s marriage
is very special as their marriage is not an arranged marriage, instead it is a
love-match which is not the norm of the society. A "love match" means that the two people fall in love and
make the choice to get married. However, parents’ approval does play an
important role in Asian culture.
Inter-religious
as well as inter-race marriage is described as unfavorable in the film. It is
considered as disloyalty or a betrayal to marry someone from a different race or
religion. Cultural and racial prejudice is obviously depicted in the movie that
convey against inter-racial and inter-religious marriages.
Sad
Bride, Happy Family
Indian bride
is not supposed to smile or to show her joy in her marriage. Pinky is filled
with joy and is not able to hide her joy and therefore is reminded by the
cameraman that Indian bride is not supposed to smile. However, the family is to
be happy and show their happy faces in the wedding. After a serious ritualistic
wedding, the family will shift to singing and dancing joyfully. What a
contrast!
Guru Nanak – the founder of Sikhism
The camera
frequently shoots on the picture of Bubaji hanging on the wall in the living
room. Guru Nanak or Babaji is an Indian saint, the founder of Sikhism whom is
much revered. Jess’ mother prays to Guru
Nanak for good result on Jess’ exam. This shows that Guru Nanak is very
important in protecting and blessing the family. On another scene, Jess is
asked by her mom to swear on Guru Nanak in order to prove that she is telling
the truth. Guru Nanak seems to serve as the family’s Reference Point to
constantly remind them of their values, protection and blessings.
Am
I free to choose?
Religion or
faith is not something one can freely choose in the Sikh culture. It is absolutely
not an option but it is what someone is born to be. Neither it is an individual
matter but it is absolutely a family matter. Inheriting the traditional
religion and faith is a way to safeguard the family’s honor and it is regarded
as the duty of the family members. Indian parents expect their children and
even grand children to continue to be loyal to their family faith. In other
words, their traditional religion and faith is their legacy and it is their
honor to pass down and to live out their legacy.
Bias:
Superior and Inferior Culture
Asian culture
is often viewed as being more inferior to Western culture. Jess’ father was
rejected to play for the cricket team due to his wearing of turban. On another
scene, Jess is deeply hurt, furious and overreacts when she is called “Paki” by
the opponent player. Presumably, Asian culture
is considered as being inferior by Western culture due to the fact that Western
civilization is more developed in their technology. However, the rise of China
and India as well as the wave of Korean culture does elevate Asian dignities.
Joe, an Irish,
does express that he himself also experienced racism from the English. He
sympathizes with Jess who is deeply hurt when she is humiliated by an English
player. And on one occasion when Joe visits Jess’ parents informing her parents
about an upcoming important match, Joe parents’ dislike Joe because Joe is a
Westerner. Obviously, cultural prejudice
is strongly portrayed in the movie.
Homosexuality: Indian can’t be gays
Another
interesting message is Indian cannot be gays. Jess’s Indian friend admits that
he is a gay and Jess’ response is interesting for she said, ‘but you are an Indian”. This shows that
an Indian should not be a gay or it is not a norm neither it is acceptable for
Indians to be gays. Gay and lesbian behavior are indeed a controversial issue
and a taboo for Asian culture. However, the movie does portray that it is also
not acceptable in the British family when Juliet’s mother thinks that Juliet is
dating Jess. Unfortunately, the movie does not depict how Tony’s family and
Indian friends will react when they find out that Tony is a gay.
Worldview:
What have I done wrong?
Instead of
blaming on their ways of educating the children, the parents (Jess’ parents) are
asking whether they have done anything wrong that causes both their daughters
to lie and bring so much shame to their family. Their worldview on life is karma. They are blaming themselves and
their past-lives for their misfortunes and for what they are experiencing in
their current state.
Worldview Change, Cultural Change!
Almost
at the end of the movie, a shift of cultural views occurs. Juliet’s mother
opens up herself to football and allows Juliet to pursue her hobby when she
understands that female football players can also have normal family with
children. It is paramount to note that Jess’ father also has a dramatic change
of worldview. He allows Jess to skip out from her sister’s wedding and play in
the tournament. At the end of the movie, he himself returns to play cricket
with Jess’s boyfriend. The most touching script is Jess’ father’s new
perspective when he says; "I don't want Jessie to suffer. I don't want
her to make the same mistakes her father made of accepting life, accepting
situations. I want her to fight and I want her to win." For me it is
the peak of the movie, a point of awareness and realization, a point of
worldview renewal and cultural transformation.
Final
Remarks
Bend
it like Beckham is
an interesting movie that portrays cultural clash in a humorous way. It
highlights some important features in both British and Sikh cultures that may
potentially result in cultural clash. Most importantly, the movie also portrays
that cultural clash does not only occur between or among different cultures but
also within a culture itself such as between the older and the younger
generations. It is indeed an enjoyable film to watch as it contains rich
messages for reflection.
