The 20th century is often referred to as the century of rising cities and of an urbanisation of society due to factors like the Industrialisation, which had a tremendous influence on society. In the beginning 21st century, those developments have even gained in speed and dimension, while further impacts and consequences of this process can only vaguely be anticipated. Moreover, the term ‘globalisation’ can literally be found at every corner. As a result of this long-lasting trend, huge metropolises have been constructed all over the globe. One of them, namely London, will be in the centre of this term paper. Yet, the focus will lie more on some individuals than on the great mass of people living in such a city, as I will examine the portrayal of the main protagonists of the movie titled Dirty Pretty Things (2002), directed by Stephen Frears. I am going to analyse the movie, which must be seen just like any other literary genre, with the focus on its content.
The drama Dirty Pretty Things portraits the faith of undocumented – and hence illegal – immigrants to Great Britain and their gloomy everyday-life with an ever insecure future of being allowed to stay in their chosen residence or not. Always hiding and being forced to adapt to other lifestyles with different customs, traditions, or a different language – or generally speaking, another culture – their identity is put into question. Being deeply despaired and seeing no other chances for an improved life, some even risk to sacrifice a kidney for the opportunity of a passport, which is the main issue of Dirty Pretty Things. Can the protagonists Okwe and Senay cope with those difficult circumstances? And how does their identity develop in such an environment of exploitation and assimilation? Can they maintain their cultural roots and form a diaspora, or will they break to pieces under the immense pressure surrounding them?
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Immigration Issues in England
2.1 A Look at the Concept of ‘Diaspora’
2.2 Excursion: Legislation on Transplantation of Organs
3 Examining the Issue of Trading Organs against Passports in Dirty Pretty Things
3.1 An Introduction to Dirty Pretty Things
3.2 The Exploitation of Illegal Immigrants
3.3 Illegal Trading in Dirty Pretty Things
3.4 The Issue of Finding an Identity in the Movie
3.5 Social Implications on the Protagonists
4 Conclusion
5 Works Cited
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
This paper examines the portrayal of identity and exploitation among undocumented immigrants in Stephen Frears' 2002 film "Dirty Pretty Things," analyzing how marginalized individuals navigate survival, labor, and the commodification of their own bodies within the modern metropolis of London.
- The struggle of illegal immigrants to maintain identity in an exploitative urban environment.
- The intersection of globalization, migration, and the "refugee film" genre.
- The commodification of the body, specifically the organ trade as a metaphor for capitalistic exploitation.
- The sociogeographic transformation of London and the concept of diaspora.
- The psychological impact of invisibility on the protagonists' sense of self and social relations.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3 Illegal Trading in Dirty Pretty Things
That leads to the major incidence of illegal trading in Dirty Pretty Things. The transfer of insides against passports, as Okwe calls it in the film, can be regarded as the most shocking and ruthless way of benefiting from the poor situation of another person. Hovet speaks of “people desperate enough to sacrifice a part of their body for a new and ‘legal’ identity” (Hovet). Sarcastically, Sneaky tries to justify his devilish actions of directing the organ trading in his hotel as a middleman in a dialogue with Okwe. Fortunately, he cannot persuade the latter:
Okwe rejects Senor Juan’s logic of organ trafficking as a mutually beneficial exchange of goods and services. [...] As [Sneaky] puts it: ‘I sell the kidney for $10,000 so I’m happy. The person who needs the kidney gets cured so he’s happy. The person who sold his kidney gets to stay in this beautiful country so he’s happy. My whole business is based on happiness (Davis 51).
Obviously, the tremendous health risks of an unsupervised operation in an obviously dirty and undefiled spot are left out by Juan in his very simplified and naive version of his business. Nevertheless, enough despaired persons are susceptible for his lies of a fair trade and in the end, even Senay takes this possibility of escaping out of her misery in London not only into consideration, but ultimately agrees to it. She does this without knowing what would await her on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean in New York City. Fortunately for her, Okwe gets to know about her intentions and their plan of stunning Senor Juan and selling his kidney works out perfectly fine. At the handover of the organ, the most dramatic punch line of the film takes place:
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter outlines the rise of global metropolises and introduces the movie as a focal point for analyzing the lives and identities of undocumented immigrants in London.
2 Immigration Issues in England: This section provides a socio-political context for migration, defining diaspora and addressing the legislative and demographic landscape of contemporary England.
2.1 A Look at the Concept of ‘Diaspora’: This chapter explores theoretical definitions of diaspora and how cultural roots and identities are negotiated in host nations.
2.2 Excursion: Legislation on Transplantation of Organs: This section discusses the legal and psychological aspects of organ donation and the emergence of black markets in a globalized society.
3 Examining the Issue of Trading Organs against Passports in Dirty Pretty Things: This chapter bridges theoretical knowledge with the film’s narrative, focusing on exploitation and identity transformation.
3.1 An Introduction to Dirty Pretty Things: This section provides an overview of the film’s plot, main characters, and the director's unique cinematic style.
3.2 The Exploitation of Illegal Immigrants: This chapter analyzes how economic vulnerability forces immigrants into precarious labor and dangerous situations, often mediated by power imbalances.
3.3 Illegal Trading in Dirty Pretty Things: This section examines the film’s central narrative conflict: the exchange of human organs for legal status and the moral implications of this trade.
3.4 The Issue of Finding an Identity in the Movie: This chapter investigates how characters redefine or suppress their identities to survive within a hostile, invisible, or exclusionary environment.
3.5 Social Implications on the Protagonists: This section analyzes the impact of extreme social pressure on the characters' relationships and their ultimate search for survival.
4 Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the film’s representation of immigrant life, concluding that identity in a globalized, capitalist context is a continuous, often painful process of becoming.
5 Works Cited: A comprehensive list of primary and secondary academic sources used throughout the study.
Keywords
Postcolonialism, Metropolis, Dirty Pretty Things, Immigration, Diaspora, Organ Trafficking, Identity, Exploitation, Illegal Immigrants, London, Globalization, Refugee Film, Assimilation, Cultural Identity, Human Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the representation of undocumented immigrants in Stephen Frears' film "Dirty Pretty Things," focusing on their struggle for survival, identity, and the systemic exploitation they face in London.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The core themes include the sociocultural experience of the diaspora, the commodification of human bodies through illegal organ trade, the socio-geography of global cities, and the concept of identity as a fluid construct.
What is the main research objective?
The objective is to analyze how the protagonists negotiate their identities and cope with exploitation within a host society that renders them invisible and politically marginalized.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The paper utilizes film analysis applied to a literary framework, incorporating cultural theory, migration studies, and sociological concepts regarding diaspora and globalization.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body examines immigration policies in England, the emergence of the "refugee film" genre, the specific mechanisms of exploitation in the film, and the philosophical implications of identity in a globalized, "transcultural" city.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Postcolonialism, Diaspora, Identity, Organ Trafficking, Illegal Immigrants, and Globalization.
How does the author interpret the organ trade within the movie?
The author views the organ trade not just as a narrative plot point, but as a visceral metaphor for the cannibalistic forces of Western capitalism, where immigrants are forced to sustain the wealthy with their own bodies.
What role does the setting of London play in the analysis?
London is analyzed as a transcultural "world city" where the traditional, iconic landmarks are replaced by "non-places" (like hotels and airports) in the perspective of the immigrant, highlighting their alienation and invisibility.
- Quote paper
- Sebastian Oehme (Author), 2008, "Trading Organs against Passports" - The Search for Identity in Dirty Pretty Things (2002), Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/149528
