Bend+it+like+Beckham

This movie is about a girl's (Jess) passion for soccer and the ways in which she deals with the competing demands of British / Asian culture. All Jess wants to do is play football. Her hero is David Beckham (who plays so well it looks like he is "bending" the ball). Her parents want her and her sister Pinky to be good Indian daughters.
 * Bend It Like Beckham **
 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/jess150.jpg caption="jess150.jpg"]] ||
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 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/jULES.jpg caption="jULES.jpg"]] ||
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 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/David-Beckham.jpg caption="David-Beckham.jpg"]] ||
 * David-Beckham.jpg ||

Jess (Indian) and her friend Jules (English) and Jess's hero David Beckham

Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of how films communicate Watch the sequence which involves Jess being spotted by her mother as she plays football with the boys in the park. Answer these questions. attitudes different from his wife’s? Why do you think this might be?
 * Task 1: Family Influences **
 * 1) What objections does her mother have to Jess playing football?
 * 2) Which of her comments make us laugh? Why?
 * 3) Listen to what Jess’s father says to her and watch his body language carefully. Are his
 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/Parents_Bend_it_like_Beckham.jpg caption="Parents_Bend_it_like_Beckham.jpg"]] ||
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**Writing Task 1:** Personal reflection : (English Book) How have your parents influenced you? - What have they allowed and not allowed in your life? What beliefs do they have that have affected your life? Have you experienced any issues that are cultural like Jess?

In the Hounslow Harriers (girl's soccer team) changing rooms Jess tells her team mates, ‘Indian girls aren’t supposed to play football’. When one remarks, ‘That’s a bit backwards,’ she replies, ‘It’s just culture that’s all’. What is 'culture'?
 * Task 2: Cultural Influences **


 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/jESS_IN_iNDIAN_DRESS.jpg caption="jESS_IN_iNDIAN_DRESS.jpg"]] ||
 * jESS_IN_iNDIAN_DRESS.jpg ||

**Writing Task 2 :** Personal reflection : (English Book) How has your cultural background influenced you? How is your personal identity being influenced by Australian culture. (Any changes in your actions, beliefs, values?) Do you think you "see" some things in life differently since your arrival in Australia? What? How? How have both cultures affected your personal identity?

Extension question: In the movie, we see evidence of Jess's culture though her clothes and the music. If music and dress are part of culture, think about the music and dress favoured by you, your parents and your grandparents. Do you think that different generations have different cultures?

**Writing Task 3:** Personal reflection : (English Book) What are some world religions? How does your religion affect your life? Write about your religion (if you have one) How does it help and guide your behaviour, beliefs and relationships with others?
 * Task 3: Religious Influences **

**Writing Task 3:** Personal reflection : (English Book) What friendship, sport, hobby or other social group do you belong to? What values, likes or skills influenced your choices?
 * Task 4: Personal Choices **

Look carefully at the two stills.
 * Task 5: Response to visual texts: Acceptance **

The left-hand still shows Jess in her back garden. What is she wearing? What is hanging on the washing line? What do you think is being suggested here about Jess?


 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/benditlikebeckham_Still_1_Kicking_ball.jpg caption="benditlikebeckham_Still_1_Kicking_ball.jpg"]] ||
 * benditlikebeckham_Still_1_Kicking_ball.jpg ||

Now look at the right-hand still. It shows Jess telling Joe that she is leaving him and going to America. What do the changes in costume tell us about the changes in Jess as we come to the end of the film?
 * [[image:englishbhiecresources/Bend_it_like_beckham_Still_2.jpg caption="Bend_it_like_beckham_Still_2.jpg"]] ||
 * Bend_it_like_beckham_Still_2.jpg ||

**Writing Task 3:** Essay Writing (English Book) Choose either A OR B OR C (Just __ONE__) and write a response essay to the topic. 250 words.

Please ask if you have another focus topic for your essay. It must be related to the theme of identity.

A How much freedom do you have in deciding your personal identity?

B At the end of the movie, Jess has learned to accept both her Asian cultural background and her British lifestyle. She has found new personal strength in this acceptance. She has "come to terms with" her identity. Write a personal reflection on your identity as an Asian or African person living in Australia. In what ways have you adapted to Australia? In what ways have you kept your own cultural beliefs, attitudes and values?

C

How important is it to adapt and assimilate in the new country? How important is it to keep your own cultural identity? Explain and discuss this issue. Include a personal example in your essay

D Inclusion and Exclusion have a big impact on our identity. Discuss.

E Confusion, frustration and anger are all emotions common to migrants. Discuss.

F Moving countries means you must change your entire identity. Do you agree or disagree? Discuss your response.

G A sense of belonging denotes self-image about who and what we are. Discuss.

H Belonging relates to personal and social identity which can involve experiences, relationships as well as attitudes and values. Discuss.

"Migrants and refugees can suffer from a sense of displacement and disorientation in having to move from a place they called "home" and being unable to fully assimilate into new countries or cultures. This is described by experts as "placelessness" and results in feelings of being marginalized and isolated from both their original culture and the new one they found themselves in." (Exam preparation Guide: Belonging c Phoenix Education.)