Supported by the BFI with funds from the National Lottery, Little English opens exclusively in UK cinemas on 17th March.
Following its UK premiere at the London Indian Film Festival, Little English will embark on a UK-wide Tour, giving audiences an opportunity to engage with the film’s director and cast.
Set in sunny Slough, Punjabi newlywed Simmy unexpectedly faces disappointment when her British Asian husband does a runner on their wedding night. With just a basic grasp of English, she’s unable to leave the house. But she finds an unlikely ally in her wayward brother-in-law, Harry, and a secret romance blossoms. However, will Simmy find the courage to honour her heart and pursue her dreams?
Starring Rameet Rauli and Viraj Juneja as Simmy and Harry, and an impressive supporting cast including Seema Bowri, Madhav Sharma, Goldy Notay, Ameet Chana, Nikki Patel, Sanjeev Kohli, Yasmeen Khan and Shin Parwana, Little English is a fun romp through Asian taboos, set against the romantic backdrop of suburban Slough.
Written and directed by Pravesh Kumar MBE, Little English was produced by Resource Productions, shot by Leigh Alner, designed by Andy Kumar, edited by Kam Parmar with Philip Moroz as sound editor and music by Niraj Chag.
Marking his feature film directorial debut, Pravesh has relished the opportunity to showcase the British South Asian experience on screen: “It is not often British South Asian life is authentically seen through our lens. I wanted to portray contemporary experiences that offer an alternative to the stereotypical representations about our family life that we are often burdened by. There are no white saviours, and we are just as ordinary and dysfunctional as everyone else. We need more stories like this that truly reflect and represent our communities so that we feel we too can take part.“
The film was developed and shot during the pandemic through the support of partners including Rifco Theatre Company, HOME Slough, UnLtd and The Rothschild Foundation, who funded the overarching ‘Kickstart into film’ programme for those made unemployed through COVID – which underpinned the ethos of the production.
In line with Resource Productions’ mission to enable social change through art and film, the production gave more than 100 under-represented cast and crew the opportunity to step up and secure their first feature film credit in new roles. Industry partners also provided support, most notably indie kit hire company ZX Records, who acted as Executive Producer alongside the likes of MBSE UK, VMI, Digital Orchard, Salamandra Animation Studios, Berkshire Film Office and Pinewood Studios.
Producer Dominique Unsworth MBE said: We are so pleased to have secured support from the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery, which has enabled us to get this film out into cinemas. South Asians make up almost 8% of the UK population, and globally they are an under-served diaspora. This is a film for everyone, but it’s important to us that we’re able to take the film on tour to the communities it represents.
Tickets are now on sale, watch the trailer & find your nearest screening at www.littleenglishfilm.com
