Dirty Pretty Things

Dirty Pretty Things is a 2002 British drama film directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steven Knight. The film features an ensemble cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, Sergi López, Sophie Okonedo, and Benedict Wong, and explores themes of immigration and human trafficking in London, particularly in areas like Brixton and Camden Town. The film's narrative is also influenced by the works of William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, who wrote about the struggles of the working class in England. The film's title is a reference to the London-based rock band Dirty Pretty Things (band), which was formed by Carl Barât and Didz Hammond.

Plot summary

The film's plot revolves around Okwe, a Nigerian doctor played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who becomes embroiled in a human organ trafficking ring in London. Okwe's story intersects with that of Senay, a Turkish immigrant played by Audrey Tautou, who is struggling to survive in London and avoid deportation by the UK Border Agency. As the story unfolds, the characters' lives become increasingly intertwined with those of Sergi López's character, Sneaky, and Sophie Okonedo's character, Juliette, who are both connected to the organ trafficking ring. The film's narrative is also influenced by the works of Fyodor Dostoevsky and Vladimir Nabokov, who wrote about the struggles of immigrants in Europe. The film's setting is also reminiscent of the London depicted in the works of J.G. Ballard and Martin Amis.

Cast and characters

The film features a diverse ensemble cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, Sergi López, Sophie Okonedo, and Benedict Wong. Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance as Okwe earned him critical acclaim and recognition, including a BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor. Audrey Tautou's performance as Senay also received critical acclaim, and she went on to appear in films like Amélie and The Da Vinci Code. The film's cast also includes Zlatko Burić, Catherine Cartwright, and Ricardo Cepeda, who have all appeared in films like Pusher and Snatch. The film's characters are also influenced by the works of Harold Pinter and Samuel Beckett, who wrote about the struggles of the human condition.

Production

The film was directed by Stephen Frears, who is known for his work on films like My Beautiful Laundrette and High Fidelity. The screenplay was written by Steven Knight, who has also written screenplays for films like Eastern Promises and Locke. The film was produced by Robert Jones and Tracey Seaward, who have both worked on films like The Remains of the Day and The Queen. The film's cinematography was handled by Chris Menges, who has worked on films like The Killing Fields and The Mission. The film's score was composed by Nathan Larson, who has also worked on films like Boys Don't Cry and The Woodsman.

Release and reception

The film was released in 2002 and received critical acclaim, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay. The film also won several awards, including the British Independent Film Award for Best British Independent Film and the London Film Critics' Circle Award for Film of the Year. The film has been praised for its thought-provoking and timely portrayal of immigration and human trafficking in London, and has been compared to films like City of God and The Pianist. The film has also been recognized for its influence on the British film industry, and has been cited as an inspiration by filmmakers like Danny Boyle and Shane Meadows.

Themes and analysis

The film explores several themes, including immigration, human trafficking, and the struggles of the working class in London. The film's portrayal of immigration and human trafficking has been praised for its thought-provoking and timely commentary on the issues, and has been compared to the works of George Orwell and Joseph Conrad. The film's use of London as a setting has also been praised, and has been compared to the works of William Hogarth and Gustave Doré. The film's characters and narrative have also been influenced by the works of Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre, who wrote about the struggles of the human condition. The film's themes and analysis have also been recognized by scholars like Noam Chomsky and Slavoj Žižek, who have written about the struggles of immigrants and the working class in Europe.