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Our chair Geetha J's interview with BIFS inaugurator Atta Yaqub

The young British Asian or rather ‘Glaswegian Paki’ actor Atta Yaqub of Ae Fond Kiss was down in Brighton recently to inaugurate the Brighton International Film Society. Here he speaks to BIFS chairperson Geetha J. about his identity, the experience of working with renowned director Ken Loach and the conflicts and possibilities he faces now.

Geetha J.: What was it like growing up as a British-Asian boy?
Atta Yaqub: My dad passed away when I was very young, and my extended family lives in Pakistan. So, my mother had the biggest influence on us and she was happy for us all to mix well with other cultures. In fact, she wanted us to feel uninhibited yet at the same time taught us to respect our culture.

GJ: What do you consider your home?
AY: Glasgow! I am a Glaswegian Paki, I suppose. The Scottish identity is very distinct - it is a welcoming culture, friendly and traditional. We love it. We are part of it.

GJ: Did you never face any abuse?
AY: Oh yes we did, sometimes on streets, mostly in sports, but it is part of life. There are different ways of dealing with it. We were brought up to ignore such things.

GJ: Were you ever made to feel like an outsider?
AY: Yes, but only after 9/11. That was the only time I felt that there was a distinct ‘us against them’ attitude. And I blame the media and the governments for this. We are very angry that all Muslims are seen as terrorists!

GJ: Was there any change in inter-personal relationships?
AY: No, well but I became more comfortable with my Muslim friends and that is because it was so easy to understand their feelings, we were going through similar experiences. The Hindus and Sikhs seemed to understand better as they also had the same experience of being a minority community. But no, I did not see anyone change dramatically.

GJ: What about Ae Fond Kiss, with its love relationship between an Asian boy and a ‘gori’ (white) girl - is it possible a similar situation could arise in real life?
AY: (smiles)

GJ: Or has already ?
AY: No comments (smiles).

Geetha interviews Atta before the screening

GJ: How did you get into acting?
AY: I had never ever dreamt that I would be an actor. My degree was in business studies. While doing my PG dip, I did some part-time modelling. I was then told that Ken Loach was down film casting and I went. I did not even know who Ken Loach was then!

GJ: Seriously?!
AY: Seriously. I was asked to talk about myself and attend some improvisations, and then I was in the film!

GJ: Did you kind of play yourself?
AY: I could understand what Casim was going through and maybe Ken was able to draw from my experiences but no, I am not Casim.

GJ: Did you like working in Ae Fond Kiss?
AY: Oh, yes. Ken Loach is a great filmmaker and I like the way he and Paul research the topic so thoroughly and make a film with a great message. I respected Ken for basing a film in Glasgow with Pakistani Muslims as central characters and showing them in a good way. I think that he puts forward a message in a way that people feel and understand in his films. Oh, I have seen his films now!

GJ: Would you say you have learnt a lot about cinema?
AY: Yes, and I am thinking a lot about it. I enjoyed the experience of acting and am so thankful for getting the right kind of break without even looking for it. I know there is a place for glitzy films but I would like to be part of cinema that has a social conscience.

GJ: Is that also due to the kind of work you do?
AY: Yes, I enjoy the work I do with young people in raising drugs and alcohol awareness. I am a full-time youth counsellor. I work a lot with the community.

GJ: And, how did your community react to the film? Any negative response?
AY: On the whole, my family and friends were supportive and very excited for me. But yes, some people were disappointed.

GJ: Was it the idea of an inter-race relationship or the sexual scenes that created problems?
AY: Oh mainly the sexual scenes. Some felt it was unnecessary. Too explicit. Now that I think about it, I too feel that way sometimes. It is difficult when you come back to real life and work with the community a lot. I do not want to bring shame to my family. But I am proud of the film. It is a beautiful story and it can happen anywhere in the world!

GJ: Do you feel torn between the expectations of your community and the call of cinema?
AY: Yes I do. I need to take a break and think about things carefully. Maybe I need to sacrifice something I am doing now to take up acting in a way in which I can put myself completely into it...

Geetha interviews Atta before the screening