COLLECTIVE IDENTITY: THE INDIAN DOCTOR

We look at a clip from The Millionairess (1960) then link it to the opening sequence of The Indian Doctor (2012) , in which the same clip appears.

• In The Millionairess London-based millionairess Epifania (Sophia Loren) is attracted to Dr. Kabir (MD from Delhi and PhD from Calcutta), who is more intent on treating patients. Well-known British comedian Peter Sellars blacks up to take the role of the doctor in this comedy in which the audience is supposed to laugh at the idea of the screen legend Loren finding the Indian doctor attractive with his cod Indian accent and reluctance to be seduced.
• By 2012, Indians are cast appropriately: Sanjeev Bhaskar and Ayesha Dharker play back  Dr Prem Sharma and his wife Kamini in The Indian Doctor. This time, the narrative unfolds from the doctor's viewpoint and, instead of laughing at him, the audience is encouraged to side with him as he meets ignorance and prejudice from some of the community.
• Here are stills from the opening episode of The Indian Doctor (BBC1 2012). We analyse how collective identity is constructed through mise-en-scene, camerawork, editing and sound.

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  1. How does the soundtrack function? What does the title wording suggest about representation?

  

  2. Whose viewpoint is the audience made to share, and how?

  
  

  

  3. How is Indian ethnicity constructed? How is the Welsh community represented?

  
  

  

  4. How are Prem and Kamini constructed as outsiders?

  
  

  

  5. What does the editing (shot reverse shot; framing, reaction shot) contribute to the representation?

  
  

  

  6. Mise-en-scene: how are Prem and Kamini positioned as outsiders through their clothes?

  
  

  

  7: Editing: what do the clips from the contemporary film 'The Millionairess' contribute

  
  

  to the representation of Asians?

  
  

  

  8. What does the representation of an Asian doctor by Peter Sellers contribute in terms of racist humour?

  
  

  

  9. Comment on the arrival of Prem and Kamini in the village hall during the screening. How is the 2012 audience meant to understand this scene?

  
  

  

  10. How is the Welsh community represented?