Sir Ben Kingsley gives approval to South Tyneside film

May 16 2009 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

A FILM inspired by the experiences of immigrants and asylum seekers on Tyneside has received a glowing stamp of approval from Sir Ben Kingsley.

The Academy-Award-winning actor, best known for his leading role in Gandhi, has thrown his support behind upcoming feature film Ali in Wonderland, which will start filming in South Tyneside in June.

The film is a coming-of-age drama that tracks the lives of Iranian teenagers Ali and Nasrine who have come to build a new life for themselves in the region.

Ali in Wonderland director Tina Gharavi, who lives in South Shields, said: “I bumped into Sir Ben by chance a few weeks ago but when I told him about the film he was enthusiastic and offered to look at what we were doing.

“He’s incredibly passionate about our film and what we are trying to do. And of course having the support of one of this country’s biggest film icons means a lot to everyone involved in the project.”

Sir Ben said: “In our economic climate this is a film of vital importance. It is now, in this uncertain climate, that the innocent strangers in our midst could so easily be victimised. Tina aims to make a life-enhancing film. An important and much-needed film.”

Award-winning film maker Tina, who has had work screened at the Sundance Film Festival and commissioned by Channel Four, moved to the North East in 1997 from America. She and her family were forced to flee Iran in 1979 after the Islamic revolution.

She said: “Ali in Wonderland is a story I feel passionately about. South Shields is my home and I wanted to bring the town to the big screen and tell stories about the people who live here and about those who come from far way to start new lives here.

“I have always wanted to make a film about the experience of new migrants to Britain. There is an interesting experience that particularly young kids have.

“They experience a cultural schizophrenia as they oscillate between two cultures. Growing up as an Iranian in Britain and America meant that there was one culture in the home and a different one outside.

“This dual identity is very problematic. It is also something that many migrants experience.”

The script for the film has been developed with local refugees and asylum seekers during seven months of workshops.

The film is also based on real events experienced by the group, including the tragic murder of Peyman Bahmani in Sunderland in 2002. The 30-year-old Iranian was the brother of one of the group members and the film will be made in his honour.

Working with non-actors to devise the story, Tina has spent the last eight years working towards the point where the film can go into production and is now excited about the prospect of the shoot.

She said: “The next phase will be an enormous challenge but what I have experienced working with these young people has been inspiring so I’m sure we will make it. Sir Ben’s endorsement means that we must be on the right track.”