The most provocative character in We Are Lady Parts, the English mini-series about a punk band of young Muslim women, is the one who plays the manager. She wears a full veil with only her eyes visible, which doesn’t prevent her from vaping and smoking joints without exposing herself; On her wrist is a studded bracelet. She sells lingerie and is the most outrageous. The other four don’t cover themselves as much: two with headscarves, one not, and another hanging. Outer stereotypes: They are independent, hardworking, and feminist women. One is a butcher (and the toughest), another Uber driver (and a lesbian), another an illustrator (and a mother). Because like everywhere else in London there are many ways to be young, female and Muslim. Of course there is also diversity within minorities. Director Nida Manzoor knows it well: she is of Pakistani origin and came to the UK at the age of 10.
Six short chapters, available on Filmin, ironically examine the clash of tradition and youthful rebellion, nothing new if not placed in the context of mainstream Islam in the West. These girls are not immigrants – if their parents or grandparents were – and they may not yet have set foot in the family’s countries of origin. They, like the series, question both the prejudices of others and some customs that don’t fit well into secular Europe and which they like to poke fun at.
As with the equally shameless Derry Girls, it’s easy to empathize with these young adventurists. That tension between what you want to do with your life and what you’re supposed to do plays a part. Amina, the protagonist, is a priori the most humble of the band: she studies microbiology, teaches children to play the guitar, has never performed in public and feels blocked by shyness. However, her intention is to get married: her parents accompany her to arrange an engagement, which doesn’t go well, although she uses a dating app at the same time. At the same time, she helps her best friend organize her wedding. Hidden from his conservative and religious environment, he joined a punk band.
Don’t expect an in-depth analysis of the limits of multiculturalism, this is a topical comedy without so many pretenses. Overall, it doesn’t make much sense to discuss it: our society is already very diverse and will not stop being so. The series can and should reflect this naturally and without spraying morality. It’s not like these girls are like us. It’s that they are us.
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