Dirty Pretty Things (2002) tells the story of Okwe, a Nigerian doctor, and Senay, a Turkish chambermaid, who work at a run-down West London hotel frequented by criminals. When Okwe discovers a human heart in one of the hotel toilets, he uncovers an illegal organ trafficking operation being run out of the hotel. The film examines themes of identity, belonging, and the struggles of immigrants living in a country where they have no legal status and can only find work in low-paying service jobs. It was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay and had a budget of $10 million but only grossed $8 million at the box office.

1. AS Film Studies – FM2 – British Film – Identity – Borders & BelongingDirty Pretty Things (Frears, 2002)SynopsisOkwe, a kind-hearted Nigerian doctor, and Senay, a Turkish chambermaid, work at the same West London hotel. The hotel is run by Senor Sneaky and is the sort of place where dirty business like drug dealing and prostitution takes place. However, when Okwe finds a human heart in one of the toilets, he uncovers something far more sinister than just a common crime.Box OfficeBudget:$10,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:$100,512 (USA) (20 July 2003) (5 Screens)Gross:$8,111,360 (USA) (16 February 2004) Production CompaniesBBC Films.AwardsNominated for Best Writing, Original ScreenplaySteven Knight at 2004 Oscars.

2. SCREENINGNOTESCharactersThemes/Messages Stereotypes/simplified characters, e.g. villain, helper, sweatshop owner, whore (tart with a heart) , the law“We are the people you do not see…we drive your cabs, clean your room…”Belonging/exclusionIdentity (and the desire for a new one)Relationships, borders/barriers between people, existenceMoral questions – rights? responsibilities?Drams and reality “wake up from your stupid dream Senay”Escape, fear, survivalImmigrants = service industryGood quote: “you’re illegal, you don’t have a position here.”Okwe- protagonist, identify with hi, he is neat and tidy and meticulous (cooking, takes pride in uniform, diligent at work. Doctor, skilled, taxi (day) and night receptionist at Baltic – unskilled. No sleep (drugs) No religion. Has a moral code. Quite matter of fact (has a heart?)Sleeps on couch – illegal immigrant.Senay –Turkish, 2, Muslim, idealistic, naïve, can’t work, can’t live full existence, exploited, loves Okwe, evokes sympathy, status pending. Can compare with Tania in LR.Guo Yi – wise sayings, e.g. “good at chess, bad at life”Sneaky – ‘businessman’ confirms immigrant stereotype of no good criminal, manipulative and selfish. Representation of BritainNarrativeLegal, illegal and asylum seekers..Mostly see immigrant way of life, vibrant but secretive communities where people are afraid and are invisible to most. Poor jobs for poor foreigners. Clearly a divide in society. Marginalized groups in society.Only see one side of representation of urban inner city London. Smart hotels contrasting an underworld that no one world usually be aware of.Linear, chronological orderConventions of a thriller, cause and effect chain throughout (“Immigration Enforcement Directive)Disequilibrium heart discovery”, resolution and conventional twist (the trick), new equilibriumInvestigation “don’t concern yourself with who comes in and who goes” at the centre of it, protagonist and antagonist,Dramatic conflict presented throughout – legal versus illegal.Style (m-e-s, acting, sound, camera)Key ScenesSneaky about to call the police.Immigration officers (and affect of this ) x3Opening – Stanstead airportDiscovers man has sold his kidney “he swapped his insides for a passport”Senay dancing in her flat – he pleads with her to work hard (to do what’s right)Final operation – thriller codes, race against time, will they be discovered?Final airport scene – parting of ways.Run down London – abandoned shopping trolleys, banged up cars, rubbish, corrugated iron. Everything seems to happen at night –thriller code, nocturnal underworld of the illegal immigrant – life behind the scenes, e.g.. Crematorium and hotels at night. Colorful, vibrant communities.International music representing melting pot of cultures.Faster pace to it than LR (thriller).