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White Girl

BBC Two Monday 10 March 2008

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Holly Kenny as Leah in White Girl

This provocative and emotive drama from the Bafta Award-winning writer of Sex Traffic tells the story of the clash of cultures that occurs when a white family relocates from Leeds to an otherwise wholly Asian community in Bradford.

Abi Morgan's compelling film is told from the perspective of 11-year-old Leah, played by newcomer Holly Kenny, whose world is turned upside down when her mum Debbie (Bleak House's Anna Maxwell Martin) moves the family to Bradford to escape the fallout from her recent relationship break-up.

Leah becomes friends with her neighbour Yasmin and discovers that the culture she was initially intimidated by isn't so alien after all. She is soon seeking sanctuary in the rituals of Islam, away from the pain and strife at home. But this innocent fascination turns sour for Debbie when her daughter comes home wearing a hijab, and the family's violent reaction has explosive consequences for everyone.

Credits:

Cast

  • Anna Maxwell Martin... Debbie
  • Holly Kenny... Leah
  • Daniel Mays... Stevie
  • Melanie Hill... Sonya
  • Jay Simpson... Adam
  • Jade Islam... Yasmin

Crew

  • Writer... Abi Morgan
  • Director... Hettie MacDonald
  • Producer... Andrew Woodhead
  • Tiger Aspect Productions

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