TBS adaptation

Adaptation: "The Buddha of Suburbia", by Hanif Kureishi

1990

Presentation

• Written by Hanif Kureishi (1990)
• Main character: Karim
• London during the 1970's
• Episodic novel
• Bildungsroman

Which part I decided to adapt?

The first pages of the novel:

• Introducing the main character and his close family
• Setting the plot of the story
• Setting the social landscape

Storyboard

• Wide low-angle shot
• 70's suburban house
• Haroon
• Plain atmosphere

Storyboard

• Three quarter shot
• Sepia filter

• Old-fashionned wallpaper

Storyboard

• Travelling
• Old fashionned decorating
• No Indian objects

" He spent years trying to be more of an English man to be less conspicuous..."

Storyboard

• Greeting his wife
• New character: Mum

• "Traditional family"

Storyboard

• Introducing main character: Karim
• Listening to Rolling Stones

Storyboard

• Full shot
• Teenager bedroom

• Extravagant style

Storyboard

• Three quarter shot
• Karim walking towards the living room

Storyboard

• Sirsasanna poses
• Greeting his dad

Script: "K: Hi Dad! H: Fetch me the pink towel! I must practice! K: For what ? H: They've called me for the damn yoga Olympics! "

Storyboard

• Mum feels embarrassed

Script: "M: Haroon, can you at least, put the curtains? K: That's okay, Mum...There isn't another house that can see us for a 100 yards... unless they're watching through binoculars... M: That's exactly what they are doing..."

Storyboard

• Pulls the curtains
• Checking if someone is watching

Why make an adaptation of this book?

• A different perspective from the idealized vision of the London during the 70s

• Denunciation of racism against Indian people at this time = subject little discussed

• A coming-of-age novel for every generation

• The first adaptation avoided a lot of interesting topics

Thanks for listening!

Haroon: Karim's father

• middle-aged Indian man
• Elegant
• Yoga teacher
• Came to London during the 50's

Potential actor : Manoj Bajpayee

Quick question

Karim Amir

• Main Character
• Half Indian, half British
• Interested in fashion, experimenting drugs and new sexual experiences
• Extravagant

Potential actor : Avan Jogia (young)

Mum: Karim's mother

• Nameless
• "unphysical and miserable British woman"
• Timid and unassuming person
• Embodies the British society

Potential actress : Emily Watson