The key concept of culture and the Khan family’s identity in the film "East is East"

Résumé ou Introduction

When Rudyard Kipling published "The Balled of East and West" a new notion of intercultural competence was created. This very concept is to be elucidated in the proseminar paper with regard to the ballad and the film "East is East".

With the ballad providing the backbone for Khan-Din’s play (1996) and Damien O’Donnell’s film (1999), it is to be discussed in further detail alongside my elucidations on the Khan family’s cultural identity and affiliation throughout the course of the film. The paper will concentrate on the Khan family and their - what I deem - a bitter struggle with their cultural identity and belonging, which is also suggested by Delanoy (2022) and Zapata (2010). Both argue with me in unison that the film displays various manifestations of identity conflicts, proceeding from the pursuit of affiliating to the concept of Britishness. Based on these and other additional scientific texts, the paper will present findings on the Khan family’s search for identity and their evolution over the course of the movie. Since the research questions amounts to “How does the Khan family evolve throughout the film and in which ways does the concept of East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet apply to their demeanor”, the Ballad of East and West will be referenced oftentimes in the paper. By virtue of the relevance for the film, the paper will also provide a brief elucidation on key concepts such as culture and identity construction. To refer to quotes and scenes from the film, the paper will consistently provide textualization and indicate the respective time frame; still, the paper requires the reader to be acquainted with the movie and its milieu.