Originally, it seemed like a good idea to shoot the movie version of Monica Ali‘s bestselling debut novel where the book’s actually set – the heart of London’s Bangladeshi community. But continued protests, criticisms and outrages from businessmen and traders opposed to the film have scuttled such plans, as the Guardian reports, so the production company will be moving elsewhere.
Following talks with Ruby Films production company, a spokesman for Film Four, which is co-financing the film said: “As we would with any film, we have taken advice from police and have decided to film the remaining Brick Lane scenes at other locations.”
But the lead convener of the Campaign Against Monica Ali’s Film Brick Lane, officially launched yesterday, vowed to continue with the protest irrespective of where the movie is filmed. Abdus Salique threatened to burn Ali’s book at a rally on Sunday which is expected to be attended by hundreds of protesters. “It is not just filming [in Brick Lane] which is the problem,” Salique said. “We don’t want a film which degrades our community.”