BRICK LANE/A TENDER PLACE

Yes, this is the new DVD of the film that aroused the ire of London’s Bangladeshi community while it was shooting.

Why were they so worried?

It is based on Monica Ali’s bestselling novel about a seventeen year old Bangladeshi girl, Nazeen who suffers an arranged marriage to a mis-guided older man and moves from her poor but friendly village home to London’s poor but unfriendly East End.

It is a tough life for the girl, who soon has two young girls herself.

But some light relief for her and - equally importantly - for the viewer comes in the form of a more secularised younger man and a new, genuinely warm relationship begins.

If only their friends and racist enemies would leave them be!

But happiness does not come easily to people trapped in such circumstances and Nazeen has to prove her mettle by claiming the freedom that is due her but not given to her.

It is a touching tale, small scale but moving, brilliantly led by the lovely Tannishtha Chatterjee (above) and passionately directed by first timer Sarah Gavron, who has picked up considerate acclaim and awards for her efforts.

Here the film is topped up with some revealing interviews with Sarah Gavron, Monica Ali, and Tannistha Chatterjee as well as the two male leads; some insights into London’s Brick Lane today; and comments on specific scenes.

The DVD sells from March 10, 2008 for £17.99.