This Media Theatre presentation uses the film East is East to illustrate various aspects of acculturation, cultural conflicts related to immigration, psychological and cultural factors related to blended families, parenting of bi-cultural children, and intergenerational conflict. The film highlights the particular aspects of the South Asian culture in the context of British society. The themes of this award winning movie focus on the struggles of an immigrant man, including the issues with the establishment of an immigrant assimilated identity; dynamics of a blended family, including their effects on children; separation-individuation struggles in the context of a bi-cultural identity; and the impact of all these factors on parents, children, and family relationships. These topics, highlighted through scenes in this remarkable film, are discussed in a deeper framework of how to work with acculturation issues in patients.

Rated: R