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Met officer helps to make film on police racism after 7/7
Amar Singh and Louise Jury22 Jul 2008
The director of a controversial film about a Muslim police officer who faces racism at Scotland Yard today told how he was helped by a senior officer involved in a real-life race battle with the Met.
Shoot On Sight, set in the aftermath of the 7/7 attacks, tells the story of Tariq Ali - a senior officer who is discriminated against by his colleagues in the Met after an innocent Muslim man is killed by police on the London Underground.
The story bears strong parallels to the race row which has engulfed Scotland Yard as Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur sues his employers over claims of racial discrimination.
The film's director, Jagmohan Mundhra, said Mr Ghaffur assisted in making the film more "authentic" after they met in 2006.
Mr Mundhra said: "Tarique Ghaffur gave his feedback for the script. He couldn't talk officially but he supported us on the film. It's inspired by him."
The film, which stars Brian Cox, Sadie Frost, Om Puri, Greta Scacchi and Naseeruddin Shah will have a British premiere at Bafta tomorrow night ahead of a general UK release next month.
Mr Mundhra said: "The reason why I noticed Tarique Ghaffur was after 21 July when the shoot-on-sight orders were given - suddenly I saw him on TV all the time, addressing the media. I knew instinctively that it was because he was a Muslim, so I called him.
"I told him that I wanted to do a script about a Muslim police officer who is caught between the Islamaphobia of the west who works in a department where people don't trust him and Islamic extremism where the mosque he goes to doesn't trust him because he is a police officer.
"Mr Ghaffur said: 'That's well and good, but I am working for the department. If you are writing something that is negative about the department I won't be able to support it officially - but if you want to show me the scripts I can check for you in terms of police procedures and the internal workings of the department'."
Mr Mundhra continued: "He mentionedto me the glass ceiling. He told me: 'I'm the highest-ranking Asian police officer, but I must tell you off the record that there is a glass ceiling.'
"It's very interesting how life has imitated art."
Mr Mundhra added: "I gave him the script to read and I also sent it to Scotland Yard's film department. If they approve the script they will allow you to use their logo.
"They read this script but they said they could not endorse the film as the Menezes matter was sub judice. They said we cannot give you permission to use our uniforms, insignia. We made a fictional central London police. They allowed us to use the exterior of Scotland Yard, the spinning sign and things like that - but not use their uniforms."
A premiere had been scheduled for 7 July - the third anniversary of the bombings - but was put back out of respect for the families of the bereaved.
Producer Aron Govil said: "The film raises important questions about the climate of fear post 7/7 and the direct impact of that terrible day. While we are mindful that the families are still grieving, it is important to look at the climate within which Londoners now live and work and have been forced to deal with on an ongoing basis.
"Everywhere, people of Asian appearance have borne the brunt of increased stopping and searching.
"Three years on, and at a time when Tarique Ghaffur's situation is at the forefront of the London agenda, I think Londoners will find the film very insightful."
Reader views (1)
Films like this will insight hate so I strongly question the motives of Mr Ghaffur and wonder if his problems are racism or jealously for not having his contracts renewed.
- Karen, London, England,, 22/07/2008 12:49
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