Activities:

Focusing on the views and experiences of people in the film provides a safety net for students and teachers when discussing sensitive issues around race.
Teachers will be able to judge the level at which to work within the context of school or college, and should familiarise themselves with relevant policy and guidelines.

Before viewing
1. Brainstorm: Why might a multicultural TV sitcom be difficult to write?

2. Private reflection or discussion: Ask students what they would say if asked:

• Where do you come from?
• Where’s home?
• Where do you belong?

3. Hardeep drives home, stopping off at various locations. Ask pupils:

a) to identify the places he visits (see programme outline)
b) his reasons for going to each place
c) what he learns in each place (include London and Glasgow)

After viewing
1. In small groups, or as a class discuss points a, b and c from question 3. Build up a profile.

• Did any visit / part of visit stand out?
• If so why? Was there consensus about this?
• Is there anything significant about race, past or present, in each place he visits?
• What were the feelings about humour in the film? Revisit questions 1 and 2.

2 Discuss opinions on Hardeep’s and his family’s approach to tradition and integration.

3 Possible areas of focus: origins, views, issues. (See outline for timings)

• Hardeep’s brother
• Pakistani comedienne
• Organiser of Leeds Carnival
• Chair of Junior British National Front
• Worker, Black ‘drop-in’ centre
• Vox pops: (I) West Indian carnival participants; (II) Black: 2 female, 1 male; (III) Asian Couple + Black female + 3 Asian Females; (IV) 2 White females.
• Iraqi Asylum seeker
• Scott – Russian, Polish, Jewish origins – tartan shop

Key questions
Why does colour of skin produce such extreme responses?
What can we do about it?
What are the differences from or similarities to sexism, ageism and homophobia?