The movie East Is East is a British comedy-drama film directed by Damien O'Donnell and released in 1999. The film is set in 1971 Manchester and tells the story of the Khan family, a British-Pakistani family struggling to balance their cultural heritage with the modern values of British society.
The film revolves around the patriarch of the Khan family, George, who runs a successful fish and chips shop in Salford. George is a strong-willed traditionalist who values his Pakistani heritage above all else and expects his children to do the same. However, his children, who were all born and raised in Britain, find it increasingly difficult to reconcile their father's strict cultural rules with their own liberal views on life.
The story follows the conflicts and tensions that arise as the Khans struggle to balance their identities as British citizens and Pakistani Muslims. While George insists on traditional dress, food, and religious practices, his children rebel against these rules, causing friction within the family.
The film is a poignant and often humorous exploration of identity, culture, and generational conflict. It highlights the struggles of immigrants and their families in adapting to a new country and blending old traditions with new ones.