Blinded by the Light co-writer/director Gurinder Chadha knows firsthand what it feels like to be an outsider. Born in Kenya when the country was a British colony, she grew up part of the Indian/Asian diaspora who made their way from East Africa to London. For that reason, the 59-year-old’s movies has always dealt with the immigrant experience, and her latest is no different, telling the story of a Muslim Pakistani teenager growing up in Thatcher’s England whose narrowly structured life is saved when he’s turned on to the music of Bruce Springsteen during the late ‘80s National Front/dole queue era. It serves as a poignant parallel to the xenophobia of today.
Likewise, Chadha is a huge Springsteen fan, who pursued her dream of making a movie about The Boss’ music based on the true-life memoir of co-writer (and fellow diehard) Sarfraz Manzoor. It took...
Likewise, Chadha is a huge Springsteen fan, who pursued her dream of making a movie about The Boss’ music based on the true-life memoir of co-writer (and fellow diehard) Sarfraz Manzoor. It took...
- 8/17/2019
- by Roy Trakin
- Variety Film + TV
From writer/director/producer Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) comes the inspirational drama “Blinded by the Light,” set to the music and lyrics of Bruce Springsteen’s timeless songs. “Blinded by the Light” tells the story of Javed (Viveik Kalra) a British teen of Pakistani descent, growing up in the town of Luton, England, in 1987. Amidst the racial and economic turmoil of the times, he writes poetry as a means to escape the intolerance of his hometown and the inflexibility of his traditional father. But when a classmate introduces him to the music of “the Boss,” Javed sees parallels to his working-class life in Springsteen’s powerful lyrics. As Javed discovers a cathartic outlet for his own pent-up dreams, he also begins to find the courage to express himself in his own unique voice.
Based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s acclaimed memoir Greetings from Bury Park, “Blinded by the Light...
Based on Sarfraz Manzoor’s acclaimed memoir Greetings from Bury Park, “Blinded by the Light...
- 7/26/2019
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
New Line is in final negotiations for a $15 million-plus deal to buy British filmmaker Gurinder Chadha’s film “Blinded by the Light.”
The film, which premiered Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival, follows a 16-year-old British Pakistani boy in 1987 England whose life is changed when his friend loans him Bruce Springsteen cassettes.
Springsteen’s working-class anthems and affirming lyrics embolden him to find his own voice as a writer, stand up to the racism around him and challenge his father’s rigid ideals.
Also Read: 'Blinded by the Light' Director on Progress and Diversity in Hollywood: 'Man, Where Are All the White Dudes?'
Chadha, Sarfraz Manzoor and Paul Mayeda Berges adapted the screenplay from Manzoor’s memoir “Greetings From Bury Park.”
Chadha, best known for her 2002’s “Bend It Like Beckham,” also produced with Jane Barclay and Jamal Daniel. Executive producers include Tory Metzger, Renee Witt, Peter Touche,...
The film, which premiered Sunday at the Sundance Film Festival, follows a 16-year-old British Pakistani boy in 1987 England whose life is changed when his friend loans him Bruce Springsteen cassettes.
Springsteen’s working-class anthems and affirming lyrics embolden him to find his own voice as a writer, stand up to the racism around him and challenge his father’s rigid ideals.
Also Read: 'Blinded by the Light' Director on Progress and Diversity in Hollywood: 'Man, Where Are All the White Dudes?'
Chadha, Sarfraz Manzoor and Paul Mayeda Berges adapted the screenplay from Manzoor’s memoir “Greetings From Bury Park.”
Chadha, best known for her 2002’s “Bend It Like Beckham,” also produced with Jane Barclay and Jamal Daniel. Executive producers include Tory Metzger, Renee Witt, Peter Touche,...
- 1/28/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Shooting has begun, cast has been set and eOne has taken UK and Australia rights on Gurinder Chadha’s comedy/drama Blinded By The Light, a hybrid musical rooted in the British tradition of quirky comedies. This is the project that Deadline scooped Chadha was prepping with Cornerstone Films boarding international sales in Berlin. It’s based on the memoir Greetings From Bury Park by journalist/broadcaster Sarfraz Manzoor which chronicles his experiences as a British Muslim boy growing up in 1980s Luton and the impact Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics had upon him. And, evidently, The Boss is Ok with that.
Chadha and Manzoor developed the film out of their shared passion for Springsteen. They both met him at the London premiere of the Springsteen doc The Promise in 2010 and discovered he had not only read, but admired the book.
Says Chadha, “I quickly pitched him the film we wanted...
Chadha and Manzoor developed the film out of their shared passion for Springsteen. They both met him at the London premiere of the Springsteen doc The Promise in 2010 and discovered he had not only read, but admired the book.
Says Chadha, “I quickly pitched him the film we wanted...
- 4/11/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, newcomer Viveik Kalra feature in cast of 1980s-set comedy-drama.
Entertainment One (eOne) has taken UK and Australia distribution rights to Gurinder Chadha’s comedy-drama Blinded By The Light, starring Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir and newcomer Viveik Kalra.
The project chronicles the experiences of a British Muslim boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s who is impacted by the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen; it was developed by Chadha and journalist Sarfraz Manzoor from the latter’s memoir Greetings from Bury Park, with a screenplay from Paul Mayeda Berges (Bend It Like Beckham).
eOne...
Entertainment One (eOne) has taken UK and Australia distribution rights to Gurinder Chadha’s comedy-drama Blinded By The Light, starring Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir and newcomer Viveik Kalra.
The project chronicles the experiences of a British Muslim boy growing up in the UK in the 1980s who is impacted by the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen; it was developed by Chadha and journalist Sarfraz Manzoor from the latter’s memoir Greetings from Bury Park, with a screenplay from Paul Mayeda Berges (Bend It Like Beckham).
eOne...
- 4/11/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
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