I am a big, big fan of Bend it Like Beckham, the film that introduced us to Parminder Nagra and Keira Knightley and made all my friends who know nothing about soccer appreciate it at least a little. The film was a huge world wide hit and was directed by Gurinder Chadha who has also directed Bhaji on the Beach and Bride and Prejudice.
Chadha spent a couple of years following Beckham in Hollywood trying to get a couple of films off the ground including the adaptation of Dallas starring John Travolta. Don't think we'll be seeing that one soon.
Chadha's back in England and is a new mom having given birth to twins at 47. She has just directed a tween comedy Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging about the ups and downs of a 14- year-old girl, based on the book by Louise Rennison. Film is financed by Paramount and looks to be like a Harry Potter for girls. It opens in England on July 25th.
Here's a quote from Chadha on her responsibility to the young women who love her films.
My films do have a big following among young girls, and I want to instill confidence in them, a sense of self-appreciation - to make them feel they can be spirited and say what they feel. It is important to say that the vast majority of 14-year-old girls aren't involved in knife crime. They're more innocent than we know. So now, becoming a parent, I want to make films that recreate childlike wonder. And I'm going to do it!'Gurinder Chadha talks about Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (The Telegraph)
photo: Christine Parry
