What's Love Got to Do with It? (2022) Movie Script
1
Zoe!
- Aunty Aisha.
- Lovely to see you, Zoe.
You're looking fresh.
Oh. Excuse me. Sorry.
Hello. No, no, I can talk.
She's always going!
Oh. Oh, right. Um...
Well, can I come in
and discuss this with you?
I have other ideas.
That's great. Okay, goodbye.
Long time no see,
Miss award winning
documentary maker.
Can I have your autograph, please?
Kaz.
What are you doing up there?
- Same as always. Sneaky ciggy.
- Oh.
Come up.
Please don't tell me
your parents still don't know you smoke?
I'm an oncology registrar.
It's not the best look, is it?
But they're happy
now I'm getting married.
You are? Hey, congratulations.
- Who's the lucky lady?
- Don't know yet.
What do you mean?
I'm going old school
on this one.
I'm getting
an arranged marriage.
"Assisted marriage".
That's what we're calling it
these days.
Huh...
What, like assisted suicide?
I can't get my head round
marrying someone you don't know.
It might be easier
than marrying someone
you do know.
Mmm.
Did you never wanna get married?
Ooh, "never" is a bit harsh.
I'm still interviewing.
- I haven't yet met the one.
- Ah, the one.
You know, just
someone who I could commit
to watching a whole
TV series with, would be nice.
Be nice.
Hey, where's your little
sister? I haven't seen her.
- Jamila?
- Yeah.
She couldn't make it.
Sounds like
it's kicking off in there.
We should...
Let's go back inside.
I'm gonna have
to find a new hiding place.
They're cutting down the tree.
- No?
- Yeah.
That's... That's so sad!
This is our tree!
I know. Come on.
Look at Farooq. He's so happy.
Oh, God. Mum dancing.
Thank you, Aisha, darling.
That was just heaven.
I'll be back
for a gupshup tomorrow.
Bye.
Oh.
Wasn't it just
so wonderfully exotic?
I felt... I felt like some
sort of glorious concubine.
Exotic meaning
good foreign rather than
- threatening foreign.
- Yeah, exactly.
Cath, I forgot to give you
some biryani.
Oh, darling, thank you so much.
Oh! I cannot believe
that you did not tell me
that Kaz has asked you
to find him a wife.
Oh, my God. You are so lucky.
Zoe would kill me if I even
tried to choose her clothes,
let alone a husband.
That's because you'd choose
someone ill-fitting
- and insist I grow into him.
- That's mean.
- That's what you would do.
- Stop it, both...
Bye-bye.
- Goodnight.
- Thank you, sweetheart.
Night, Mum.
Bye, darling. Buckle up.
So, Zoe, we loved your doc.
Oh, loved it.
- Kids in care?
- Yes, that one.
That's great.
Because I was hoping...
Unfortunately,
your ideas for your next one...
The bankruptcy courts,
honour killings...
They're a bit bleak.
- Downbeat.
- Yeah. And, you know...
Your scratchier, darker stuff...
- Which we love.
- We love it
right down to the bones.
- Yeah.
- But...
It's not really rating
for us right now.
I think, look, what we're after
is sort of more upbeat...
Yeah.
Characterled stories.
- Warm heart...
- Yeah.
Um, feel-good, really.
And we were
kind of brainstorming,
and we think
that there probably isn't
a feel-good version
of honour killings.
- Probably not.
- But, er...
Thank you very much
for coming in.
We've connected now.
Look, we've got
your details now.
So, silver lining.
Always look at the upside.
Actually, hang on.
Arranged marriages in modern
multi-cultural Britain.
- Sorry, I wasn't listening...
- I'm sorry...
I was just explaining
that my childhood friend
whose parents
are from Pakistan...
He was born in Pakistan? Cool.
No, he was born here.
But he lived literally
next door to me,
and we grew up together.
And he's just decided
to have an arranged marriage.
I could follow him
on his journey
to marry a stranger
chosen by his parents.
What's he... What's he like?
Well, he's great,
he's funny, good-looking.
- Funny's good.
- Really funny!
Kind. Er, you know...
Literally, the last person
you'd ever expect
to do something like this.
I could interview
other British couples
who've also had
arranged marriages.
Um, older, younger,
happy, unhappy.
Yeah, like in
When Harry Met Sally.
Ooh, erm, don't you mean
When Harry Was Forced
To Meet Sally?
Right. Nice.
Well, this isn't
a forced marriage, actually.
This is his idea.
My Big Fat Arranged Wedding.
Instead of Greek, yeah.
Oh, love it.
Everyone thinks
that arranged marriages
are some sort of
mediaeval chattel swap,
but actually they've evolved
into what's called
assisted marriage
with the parents
just suggesting someone
who they think would be
a good match.
Yeah, love that.
Absolutely love that.
Now, I'm just thinking.
Meet The Parents First.
Meet The Parents First.
- Right. Erm, Or, erm...
- It's called Meet The Parents.
I Hope She's A Pretty Woman.
Love Contractually.
- I Love Actually it.
- Yeah.
I mean, think about it.
You got... You got eth, tick.
Female director. Double tick.
Huh!
Wow.
Are him and his family on board?
Totally.
Absolutely not. No.
Come on, Kaz. I'm down
on my knees. I'm begging you.
Out of the question, Zoe.
Kaz, will you please just
do this for me?
Zoe...
- Please!
- I can't talk right now.
I don't know if you've heard,
but I'm an award-winning
documentary film-maker.
Yeah. I did hear that, yeah.
Also, aren't you...
I mean, listen...
Aren't you proud to be a Muslim?
Of course I'm a proud Muslim.
Yeah, then wouldn't it be
a good thing to see
someone like you on TV for once?
Don't extremist madmen
make more entertaining TV?
No, it's important.
Come on, Kaz, please.
We'll get to hang out,
we'll get to spend
some time together.
It'll be fun. Like old times.
Old times? I just remember you
and my sister constantly
trying to shake me off.
Does that sound a bit weird?
Come on, please.
Oh, God, Zoe, stop.
You owe me.
I never told Aunty Aisha
what you got up to
in that treehouse.
All right.
Well, what about this?
We'll meet up,
play a little table tennis.
And if you beat me,
I'll think about it.
Yeah. Sounds good.
No pressure.
Let's go, let's go,
let's go, let's go.
I'm getting...
It's been a while
since I've played this.
Er, dare I ask?
What about love?
It's just a different way
of getting there.
You don't have
to start with love.
You end with love. You know?
And over time,
you grow to love the person
you're with.
Hmm. What?
Like Stockholm Syndrome?
You know, my parents aren't
making me do this.
No, I know.
That's why I'm so surprised.
Do you know what the UK
divorce rate is? I found out.
No. Er, 50%?
55%.
And guess what it is for
Arranged marriages? 6%. Boom.
Thing is, Zoe,
I've seen it work.
I want my kids to have
what I had. Stability.
Marriage isn't just about
two people being in love.
It's a bigger thing than that.
It's about what's best
for children,
and the whole family. Society.
Just say all that weird,
old-fashioned,
conventional shit on camera.
Fuck, that is so annoying.
If I win this rally, right,
you're doing the film.
Yes!
God.
You know where we're going.
I just told you.
I know. But just say it
for the camera.
And look in my eyes.
- What, down to you?
- Yeah, tell me.
Can you give me two seconds?
It's literally just here.
And how is this
any different from, say,
dating apps?
Well, I guess you could say
it's kind of like a bespoke,
3D halal Tinder,
operated by your parents.
I'm Aisha Khan.
I'm the cultural consultant on
this very positive documentary
on arranged marriage.
Great.
If you could just, um,
ignore the camera.
Hi, guys.
Salam aleikum. Mo here.
Mo the matchmaker.
And if you're looking for
a suitable match for your son,
then you've come
to the right place.
We do daughters as well.
Again, just...
You can just pretend
I'm not here.
Sorry, I'm invisible.
Natural. Bring it down
a little bit. Sure, okay.
Okay.
So, platinum services,
they also include me
checking out the girl's family.
Seeing that she's
from a good family home,
nice, tidy, clean.
Okay. So, guys, tell me,
what kind of lovely lady
are we looking for today?
Someone intelligent
and attractive
and who I click with, I suppose.
People keep talking
about this click. You know?
He needs a companion,
not a click.
You know, just someone
who can tolerate my parents.
You know, a girl
from the same background.
Soft-spoken, long hair.
Er, not too dark.
Wheatish complexion,
at the most.
Wheat, beige?
Did you bring your
Pantone colour chart?
Be serious about this, okay?
Brother, have a look at these
and tell me what you think.
- No photos?
- No photos yet.
Think about it,
if she's too fit,
then you won't know
if she's a good fit.
You're gonna see the picture.
Yeah. You're thinking
with your little...
You need to be thinking
with your... Okay?
So, religious observance.
Do you want practising,
moderately practising?
- Practising.
- Not too conservative.
And beard or no beard?
What?
Uh, wrong list.
Sorry, give that back.
Sorry.
Um, okay, and modesty,
are we talking hijab?
Are we talking niqab?
Are we talking jilbab?
Niqab is not necessary.
We are a modern family
after all.
Okay. Now, do we want
a housewife kind of lady,
or do we want career lady?
Seriously, as long as
we're on the same wavelength,
and we have things in common...
But not too ambitious,
or too much into this, er,
women's lib.
And, er, community?
- Pakistani.
- We're open to any background.
But they just said Pakistan.
As long as she's Muslim.
But not Indian.
Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi.
All these are okay.
Sure, cool.
Actually, it would
be best if she is a, you know,
Jalandhar KPK Pathan mix.
This is getting kind of niche.
Okay, and what's, er...
What's your education, bro?
Bachelors in Biology.
Then medical school.
- He's a doctor.
- Oof.
Listen, top of the food chain.
See?
Easy.
And any vices
I should know about?
Any drinking, smoking?
Dogging? S and M?
Anything like that?
- None.
- No.
Okay, Uncle, Aunty,
I will find your son
a brilliant match.
You don't worry about that.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
No dogs, no pets.
No, no. Dogging means
something... Don't worry.
Cats are okay.
Cats?
I'll write that down. "Cats".
We met on our wedding day.
My parents, you know,
they showed me her photograph
and I said, "Okay, it's fine."
My mother asked me, but I said,
"No, you choose.
So, later I can blame you."
Her father was Deputy
Commissioner of the district,
and my father was a doctor
in the same village.
They were friends,
so, they arranged the marriage.
I remember, on the wedding,
we were sitting on the stage
and the lights went out.
In Pakistan, there is
an electricity problem.
And she got scared,
so I leaned over to her
and said,
"Don't worry, it's nothing."
Then I felt okay.
After that,
it was simple sailing.
You know,
when the lights came on,
I felt he was looking at me.
She looked tip-top.
I thought to myself,
"They made
a first-class choice."
Gone cold
It's horrible weather
It's gone stone cold
And you know
we should've got it together
Well, it's nice
It's nice to be wanted
What was wrong with him?
He looked nice.
No!
Him, him. Stop.
He's hot enough
that I'll overlook
that inspirational quote.
"My mantra is..."
No.
"You have
to endure the rain
"if you want
to see the rainbow."
What does that mean?
It means I'll have to toss
a Viagra in his mouth
when he's talking.
Daddy's home.
Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!
Daddy!
What are you doing?
I thought the one upside
to getting married
is that you get
to let yourself go?
Yeah, what's a Viagra?
Aunty Zoe here, by any chance?
I'll go read to the kids
so you can enjoy
some alone time.
Oh, shut up.
Nothing inappropriate, please!
Mmm-mmm. Never.
Come on. Come here.
Once upon a time...
He can come and listen to me
on my shoulder.
- Ready?
- Yes.
Oh, come here, Maud.
Once upon a time,
there was a girl
and she met a frog.
And he promised her
"If you kiss me,
"I'll turn into
a handsome prince."
And
she said, "I'm not interested
"in fixing anyone but myself.
"And anyway,
"I'd far rather have a cool,
"talking frog
than a boring old prince."
That's not a good story.
Do Cinderella.
All right, I'll do Cinderella,
if you're in bed in
five, four, three, two...
Once upon a time,
Cinderella met
a handsome prince.
And sometimes, kids,
you meet someone,
and you know in a heartbeat
that you want
to spend the rest of your life
without them.
Once upon another time,
Cinderella met another prince.
You can probably tell...
Because in fairy tales,
a heroine is incomplete
without one.
how well I've done
out of everything,
And do you know what?
You'd be bloody right, actually.
And another prince.
And he asked her to marry him.
And she said,
"No".
Cinderella focused
on glass ceilings
instead of glass slippers,
which means she focused on work
and realised she was fine
without a boring old prince.
The End.
Check, one, two...
Asalam aleikum,
brothers and sisters.
Welcome to this very,
very special Muslim
marriage event.
I go by the name
of Mo the Matchmaker.
And I'm here
to find you a match.
We are gonna end the spinster
crisis together, guys.
Come on.
There's someone
out there for everyone.
And we all have needs.
Divorcees. Disabled people.
Women over 30.
Okay, brothers,
you may now approach
any sisters
that you like the look of.
Good. Rotate. Very nice.
Oh, look at that chemistry.
We keep it halal, here.
We keep it halal.
Be honest. You're not
gonna get what you want
if you don't say what you want.
Guys, you want a good cook,
say you want your Nigella.
Girls, you want the money man,
say, "I'm looking
for my Elon Musk."
Use your best lines.
Now we are gonna
form a circle of ten.
Five guys, five girls.
Chaperones at the back.
Come on, guys, let's do it.
Your parents are gonna be
so happy, trust me.
Come on.
And, guys,
I want you to be honest, okay?
Is this your first time?
Mate, here,
it's everyone's first time.
At least that's what
they'll tell you.
Boys, boys, boys.
What's going on? Why are you
talking to each other?
There's girls here. Okay?
Unless you want marriage
outside of Islamic sharia,
I suggest you stop talking
to the same sex.
All right, boys? Enjoy.
I'm looking for someone
who has patience
and an understanding of culture.
Someone who's supportive
and honest,
who likes to travel.
Well, just someone who's great.
And who's British enough for me,
and, er, Pakistani enough
for my family.
Someone down to earth
with a sense of humour,
who will encourage me
in my religion.
Where are you from?
Erm, Birmingham.
How about you?
Well, I'm from...
Well, I'm from London.
- What do you do?
- I'm a banker.
- What do you do?
- I... Well, I'm a doctor.
Oh, Kaz.
Isn't this a massive,
crazy gamble?
I mean...
What if there's no chemistry?
How are you even gonna know,
if you don't believe in sex
before marriage
all of a sudden?
I'm not sure I believe in sex
after marriage.
Most of my friends have
no sex after marriage.
And that's with the loves
of their lives.
That's a fair point.
It's depressing.
I think you can usually tell
if the sex would work.
Do you wanna go and get a drink?
A Bloody Mary for me,
and a Virgin for you.
I've got lunch with my parents.
- Oh.
- It's Mother's Day.
Oh, shit.
See you tomorrow.
Yeah.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Hi, Zoe.
Ah! Allah kum salam,
Aunty Aisha.
What?
You still can't say it.
It's...
Asalam aleikum, Aisha.
There you go.
That's exactly what I just said.
Happy Mother's Day.
Wish I could say
the same to you.
I was just saying I wish
I could say the same to her.
Inshallah.
Fat chance of that.
I cannot, for the life of me,
find my other washing-up glove.
And these are new.
I've looked everywhere.
Gosh, hasn't Kazim
got so good...
Where are you? Oh.
So good-looking?
It's hardly surprising, is it?
Look at his mother.
I mean, she...
She's so elegant,
she could be Greek
or Italian.
The compliment
that's actually an insult.
You wouldn't think
they were Muslims
to look at them, would you?
I don't know, Mum.
What do 1.8 billion Muslims
all look like?
- Careful.
- Just...
We've been very lucky to
have them as neighbours.
Actually, they've become
like family to me
since your father left
for that teenaged whore.
- She's 35.
- Exactly.
Oh, is that Grindr?
My hairdresser's never off that.
- Anyone we should meet?
- No.
Oh, well, don't leave it
too late.
Human eggs have
a sell-by date, too, you know.
Maybe I'll freeze them.
I could be a 90-year-old
pushing a triple pram.
Well, that's no good to me,
is it? Because I'll be dead.
Oh...
How is your egg?
It looks a bit raw.
Mmm.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God!
My Marigold!
That's where it got to.
He eats your washing-up gloves?
He eats everything.
At least now you can tell
which way round he is.
Oh!
I'm ringing my lovely vet.
You're going to have to take him
to James the vet
for me tomorrow.
Why can't you take him?
It's my day visiting cancer
patients at the Marsden.
I can't. I've got
a really important meeting.
It's the children's ward.
He'll be fine.
He's eaten my HRT patches
as well.
He'll grow breasts.
You'll grow breasts,
you silly dog.
It's not funny, ZoZo.
It is funny, actually.
James, it's me. I... Erm...
It's the dog. I can't explain,
but something
is hanging out of him
at the wrong end.
How's it going then, boy?
Did you find your missus today?
Don't start with me, man.
I knew you were gonna start
with me today.
Let me just enjoy my...
Anyone good?
There was no one
I clicked with. There was...
Click and collect.
Ammi, come on.
There has to be a spark.
- There wasn't even a flicker.
- You know what I say.
Simmer first, then boil.
You all want to boil first,
then simmer.
And when it cools down,
you get disappointed,
and throw out the chai.
Yeah, well, simmer for too long,
you end up with a dry pot.
No-one likes a dry pot, bro.
He threw
the thing at me, tell him off.
The problem is, people have
too many options.
The distant drum
sounds more exciting.
Did you tell him about the girl
that Mo bhai rang about, huh?
There's a very nice girl
in Lahore.
Convent educated,
excellent family.
Height is okay, five foot two.
If she were five foot,
I would hesitate.
Why wasn't I told?
I'll tell you, I'll tell you.
Supposed to have
a very good nature.
What am I gonna have in common
with someone from Pakistan?
Besides culture, religion,
language, colour, family, genes.
Should I go on?
Yeah, think about it. And your
surname will be the same.
She's a Khan?
Passport, credit cards.
No change.
But she's not a relation?
No. But nothing wrong
with that.
You know, Victoria and Albert
were first cousins.
And they had a museum
named after them!
Okay, yeah, I know.
Listen, we are meeting
the family over Skype
this evening.
You see if you like her.
Please.
Okay. Don't.
Our parents
both knew each other.
They wanted us to meet.
But we were both like, "Nah".
"No way".
- Sorry, sorry.
- Okay.
Then I saw him at Rumi's Cave.
It's like this cultural centre.
And we were both part
of the Muslim archery club.
But we never spoke.
- She was on Minder.
- But he was on Muzmatch.
So we were on different paths.
But we were on the same team
for the Muslim muggles quiz.
It's for Harry Potter fans,
looking at Islamic values
in the series.
- And we identified loads.
- And we won!
Team Hufflepuff!
So, then, after that,
we agreed to meet.
And I remember saying
to myself, you know,
"You wander from room
to room sometimes
"looking for the diamond
"that's already
around your own neck."
Rm.
Okay.
Er, hi.
Hi.
Maymouna.
That's a very lovely name.
It's very beautiful.
Thank you.
Are you named
after anyone in your family?
Mmm.
No.
I think my parents
just liked it.
Great. That's...
You're... You're studying law?
Yes.
Well, I thought about doing law.
But then I didn't.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a brother
who lives here with his wife.
And a sister.
I have one brother, and, um,
and...
My sister lives
in the Northern Areas.
Her husband is posted there.
The roof of the world.
That's my favourite place
on earth.
I haven't been there yet, but...
I remember the first time
I went.
Um...
My grandfather took me.
That was his favourite place
as well. And, um...
I was just a little boy,
and I'd wandered off
and got lost,
and it was weird,
I wasn't scared. It was...
It was the first time
I felt connected
to something bigger
than myself, you know?
Bigger than my own fear, and...
My grandfather gave me
a tight slap when he found me,
though.
That's still the place I feel
closest to God. Definitely.
And to my grandfather.
How do you feel about possibly
moving to London?
- Um...
- She's fine with it.
She will love London.
It's a very multi-cultural
place.
Full of Pakistanis.
It's like
living in a giant brothel.
I'm sorry about this.
- This is my big brother.
- It's okay.
- Farooq.
- He gives me pocket money.
It's normal.
They take their dogs to dinner
and leave their children
at home.
Don't mind her.
Very nice.
Yeah.
What's he been eating this time?
- Mum's HRT patches.
- Ah.
And her washing-up glove.
Last time, it was her pop socks.
Oh, God.
He's like a fluffy Pac-Man.
Let's take a look at him,
- shall we?
- Mmm.
If you could just hold him
nice and still.
Okay. Come on, Barney.
- Oh.
- There you go.
- Oh, I'm just gonna...
- Sorry.
- Sorry.
- Sorry.
Sorry. Does he
come here often?
So often, I know all his
deepest, darkest secrets.
And even some of yours.
No, I'm kidding.
I'm just kidding.
But your mum has told me...
- all about you, though.
- Oh, God.
Film school in London.
Two documentaries.
And a Radio Times
Viewers' and Listeners' Award.
- She gave you my actual CV.
- And your complete works.
- I'm so sorry.
- Don't worry.
I haven't had a chance
to watch them yet,
but they do look really,
really great.
Now, this guy
is gonna be just fine.
If he hasn't passed them
by Friday,
bring him back in,
we'll get him X-rayed.
Okay.
Thanks.
Come on, you silly dog.
Good to see you again, Barney.
And, um, it's lovely to
meet you, too,
for the first time, Zoe.
And you.
If you ever felt like going out
to get a drink or something, sometime,
- we could...
- Thank you.
I'm a bit snowed under with work
- at the moment.
- Yeah, sure.
Just 'cause your mum said
that you... But never mind.
Um...
- Let me get the door for you.
- Yeah.
Thank you. Sorry about that.
- Ta-da!
- Er, mmm...
- Uh, look after that guy.
- I will, thanks.
- Thanks so much.
- And let me know
if your workload...
eases.
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear Mum
Happy birthday to you
Thank you!
I can't actually talk right now
because I'm about to, um...
I'm about to go and
put some grand eggs on ice
for your birthday present.
Ooh!
Yeah. So, you can stop
setting me up
with total strangers.
What a wonderful
birthday present.
Would you like them
gift wrapped?
Is there an express service?
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
Just come in here
on your lunch break.
And then in your 60s,
we defrost your baby.
No.
No.
Egg harvest.
Yeah. Sounds festive, huh?
It's not.
Listen, how much
do you want to be a mother?
Mmm. Well,
I'd rather be a father.
Then you don't have
- to juggle everything.
- Yeah.
No, I, um...
Of course,
I want to be a mother.
I just...
You know, I want to find
the right person. And not yet.
That's why I'm here.
I keep seeing all these women
in their 50s having babies.
So, that's gotta be
frozen eggs, right?
Ah. The same women
that have, like,
really nice skin and no eye bags
because they use
the right moisturiser?
Yeah, highly unlikely.
Do you know the success rate
for frozen eggs?
Well, I know
it's not a guarantee.
No.
It's...
1%.
1% of frozen eggs
result in a live birth.
Really?
But much better odds
for frozen embryos.
Okay.
Um, how do I freeze
an embryo, then?
Just come in with a partner.
Or, you know,
pick a sperm donor.
Or just find a nice
gay friend. That's...
I don't have a partner.
I thought that was the whole
point of this egg freezing,
is that I don't have to put
all my eggs in one bastard.
He texted me instead of her
by mistake.
- Who is she?
- Someone in his office.
I should have known.
He kept not remembering
her name.
Hang on.
Where are you going?
That's not him, is it?
Can you deal with the kids?
Oh, my God.
Once upon a time,
there was a girl called
Little Red Riding Hood.
She'd had a bad week.
And all she wanted
was to feel better.
Or to feel nothing.
So, when her mother warned her
not to stray off that path,
and talk to any strangers
Little Red Riding Hood
thought to herself,
"Where's the fun
on a well-trodden path?"
And of course, she met a wolf.
In an instant,
all those bad feelings
disappeared, like magic.
"What's the worst
that could happen?"
she thought to herself.
"So, a bad boy wolf
wants to eat me?
"A little nibble here
and there can't hurt.
"Can it?"
I was in the shower.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mmm-hmm.
Sorry. Yeah, I, um...
I fell asleep with my phone
on silent.
Ooh!
Man down.
Ah, come on. Bloody sub.
You're on.
Did you get the goal, at least?
No, I just got you going
down like a skittle.
Great.
That looked painful. Oh.
Hang on,
let me just get this mic on.
I've definitely
pulled something.
So...
What was...
- What was so urgent?
- I, er...
- I've got news.
- Yeah?
I'm, er...
I, er... I got engaged.
Wait, what?
Yeah, I know. It's crazy,
right? But we've...
been talking quite a lot.
And been texting and FaceTime.
And we keep talking.
I really like her.
And the wedding's not for
a whole 'nother month, so...
- A month?
- Yeah, I know.
My mum's already handed out
sweets to the whole street.
It's love at first Skype.
Well, obviously not, no.
Love at first anything's
a mental health issue.
So, um, how old is she again?
Willmore, track! Willmore!
Leaving the party early.
Not worried about the age gap?
I knew you were gonna ask that.
No, she's super smart.
And you reckon that you have
enough in common?
Well, we will have.
She gets it.
She understands
how it all works.
You know, she wants to be
- a human rights lawyer.
- Wow.
Sorry.
I'm just taking it all in. Um...
So you really will be
marrying a stranger.
I guess, in the end,
so is everyone else.
Everyone turns out to be
someone else,
or fucking someone else.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm fine.
Can you turn the thing on the...
No, no, no. Sorry. Sorry.
Zoe, off!
What's up?
Uh, sorry.
Oh, it's just been
a challenging week.
What? Another date with
someone you already hate?
What you need is a holiday.
Yeah.
In Lahore.
Mmm.
Oh, darling.
Just in time for a quick bite
before we leave.
Great. Oh, sorry. Eggs again?
No, no, no. Omelettes.
Come on.
Ooh, now in there
is a little care package
I've put together for us.
Just the basics.
Imodium, HobNobs, rape alarm.
Is Barney joining us?
Don't be silly.
Although, um...
No, James is coming
to pick him up
and I thought that... Ooh!
There he is. I thought
he might like to join us
for a little... Little lunch.
James!
Hi.
My favourite dog whisperer.
Oh, come in.
Zoe. You remember James,
don't you?
James delivered
your pop socks. Hi.
Talking of which...
- So, how have you been?
- Oh, you know, saving lives.
A gerbil, a cat,
octogenarian tortoise
who's making a slow recovery.
- Sorry.
- He's so funny.
He's so... He's so funny.
Why don't you just sit,
and have a chat
while I cook the toast?
So, you're off to
a fancy wedding
- in Pakistan, I hear?
- Yeah.
I've never missed
a Khan wedding,
and I can't wait
to wear a burkini
- on the subcontinent.
- Wow.
Except for Lahore
is nowhere near the sea.
Well, you never know
where we might end up.
And when we come back,
we should have dinner
with James.
We'll get Helena and Harry over.
Helena is Zoe's
very good friend.
She's married
to a lovely man called Harry.
Who's been having an affair.
- Harry?
- Yes.
- No? I can't believe it.
- Yes!
I'm pretty sure most
married men would cheat
if they could get away with it.
James wouldn't.
Even if you're sure
your wife would never know?
No, of course not.
Why not?
Because I'd know.
Bon apptit.
Mmm.
Wait a minute, pet.
Oh!
So, erm...
- Oh, hello, darling.
- Hello!
You're early.
Why are you so early?
Flight doesn't leave for hours.
I know. I know. We just need
to allow extra time
for security.
Why?
So, I can be randomly selected.
Oh! Oh.
Oh...
Well, that's a shame.
James was about to tell us
something
absolutely hilarious.
Look who's here.
He says we've got to go.
Sorry, Mum, that your enormous
efforts have gone to waste.
But, you know, we've got
a plane to catch, and...
Kaz, the doctor...
- Hi.
- Hi.
Meet James the vet.
I've heard all about you.
Good luck with the wedding.
- Thank you.
- Oh. Barney. Barney.
Mummy go shopping.
Mummy go shopping.
Don't tell Barney that
I'm off to Lahore,
because he'll get...
Shopping. Shopping.
Stay. Shopping. Stay. Stay.
Let me help you with the cases.
No, I'll get them.
Well, I'm looking forward
to hearing how it all goes.
- Yeah, you, too.
- Great. Well...
- Oh...
- I mean, thanks.
- Great. Yeah.
- Bye. Bye.
Oh, James.
I am so sorry
that we've got to go. But...
Well, I'll FaceTime you both
from Pakistan
or, or...
Cover my FaceTime.
You set me off.
Keep that, just in case
you might want to go shopping.
Bye. Darling, bye.
Eat the omelettes.
- Okay. Yeah.
- Bye. Bye.
Bye!
Barney.
And this is her in
the nativity play where...
You don't know what that is,
but I'll explain later.
Her when she was a little baby.
She was only three months old.
Are you all right?
It's thought field therapy.
It's, er...
a technique.
I don't like flying.
Even the lingo's morbid.
It's what?
"Final destination".
"Departed".
Or "Terminal".
Some nuts, sir?
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Who was that guy
at your mum's house?
Mmm.
If I were Pakistani,
he'd be my arranged husband.
- Sounds ideal.
- Except that he's not my type.
- What is your type?
- Oh!
- But is that wrong?
- Yeah.
Uh, don't know.
Can I ask you a question?
Would you cheat if you knew
you'd never get caught?
Be honest.
If your wife would never know.
No.
Why not?
Well, he'd know.
Oh.
He's listening.
Aren't they
desperately uncomfortable
covered up like that
in this heat
except for their eyes?
No, not as uncomfortable
as those poor women
who are uncovered
except for their eyes.
Like on Love Island.
You see, Cath,
our women are valued
for what's on the inside.
Which is why we don't have
plastic surgery
and anorexia,
and all these Western diseases.
Well, I suppose a burka's
wonderfully forgiving, isn't it?
A rupee for your thoughts?
Oh, it's even better
with my sunglasses off.
What a beautiful hall.
I'm not trying to upset you.
We can't go on like this.
You know this has caused me
the greatest pain in my life.
And that of
your grandmother, too.
Then, there's nothing
we can do about it.
Okay.
I'm so proud of you.
Let's not spoil
this happy occasion.
They met on their wedding day.
He came to her village
on a white horse
to take her away from her home.
In youth,
even a crow looks princely.
Er, like a charming prince.
I was allergic to horses.
And they rode off together.
And did they fall in love?
Fall in love, lose your peace.
You know,
we always say, it is, uh,
better to fall into like,
and walk into love.
It was a good match.
It was a good match.
- Asalam o aleikum.
- Waleikum salam.
- Asalam o aleikum.
- Waleikum.
- Asalam o aleikum.
- Waleikum salam.
What a beautiful girl!
Thank you.
Pleased to meet you
in person, finally.
Thank you.
How are your studies going?
Good.
Good.
Um, I was thinking
we could maybe
do something together
this evening.
We met on Skype.
Um...
I thought she was...
You know, attractive,
obviously. And intelligent.
Full of life.
I don't know
what you thought of me.
I thought he seemed
nice and reasonable.
That's great. Um...
Can you tell me
how... How did you propose?
Um...
Well, actually, my...
parents proposed to her parents.
It must have been
daunting for you, Maymouna,
deciding whether
to spend the rest of your life
with someone you hardly know.
Mmm.
If my parents are comfortable
with their decision,
I'm okay with it.
And we talked a load
on the phone.
And then we got
to know each other.
Can you sum up
how you both feel?
Good.
Feels... Feels
like the timing's right.
And...
Can you see yourselves
falling in love?
Yes, inshallah.
Whatever "in love" means.
Hmm.
Did he remember you
from when you were a kid?
- Yeah, that's family...
- Well?
- Hey, morning.
- Where are you going?
You haven't even had breakfast.
I need to go to the tailor.
Then I was gonna take Zoe
to Anarkali bazaar.
You're gonna love it.
It's a massive bazaar
named after
a beautiful dancing girl.
Who was buried alive
by Emperor Akbar
because she was an unsuitable
match for his son.
Buried alive.
I'll see you later.
Yasmin. Take this
for Nani Jan.
I can't believe you said...
"Whatever love means".
Huh?
That's what Prince Charles
famously said
when he got engaged to Diana.
I thought that sounded familiar.
They basically had
an arranged marriage.
Yeah.
That worked out really well.
Princess Diana wanted
to marry a Pakistani man.
- Doctor Hasnat Khan.
- Doctor Khan.
- Mother said no.
- What happened to him?
He had an arranged marriage.
Lived happily enough ever after?
Got divorced.
He'd become too much Western.
Okay, question.
What did you think of her?
In real life?
- She's great.
- Yeah, but, um,
did you fancy her?
Zoe, please. Do I have to say
that on camera? Come on.
- So annoying.
- Fine.
And are you nervous
about the mehndi tonight?
Actually, just tell me
what that is.
Well, in Pakistan,
we really like
to draw out
the wedding celebrations.
It's over three days.
Uh...
And first it's the mehndi,
which is tonight.
And, uh...
Kind of like a stag
and a hen rolled into one.
Except your grandparents are
there, which is lovely.
And the groom
isn't stripped naked
and tied to a lamppost.
And then the next day
is the nikah,
that's the actual marriage.
And the shaadi.
Then, er, walima.
Where the main thing is
you have to look
like you haven't enjoyed
your first night together.
What if you haven't enjoyed
your first night together?
- No comment?
- No comment.
Can we go in?
My mum would love this.
Can I film in here?
Afghanistan.
It's beautiful.
How much is it?
15,000.
Give him 10,000.
Here.
Thank you.
Thanks, Kaz.
You know
all that stuff,
passion, and...
chemistry, whatever you want
to call it,
it's not
the most important thing.
Doesn't last, anyway.
It's amazing.
He thinks you're my wife.
I'm saying
that you're just a friend.
Just friends.
I was your first kiss, too.
In the treehouse.
I just can't believe
you've forgotten.
Kaz.
Hmm?
What was that row
with your mum about?
It's...
Just about Jamila
coming to the wedding.
Why is what she did so bad?
A Muslim woman isn't supposed
to marry a non-Muslim guy.
It's haram, innit?
- I know.
- She ran off with this guy,
broke my grandfather's heart. Literally.
He died a week later.
You can't blame that on her.
Then she didn't even come
to the funeral.
Why not?
She wanted him...
David, to be welcome, too.
Can I film you saying
this stuff?
- No.
- Please, Kaz.
I can't just show
what you want me to show.
If it's not truthful,
it just won't have any value.
Please.
- Okay. I'm sorry.
- You know they've had a baby?
My mum's first grandchild
who she's never even met.
All this unhappiness.
All she did was fall in love.
No, that's not all she did, Zoe.
She chose love over family.
But isn't that the whole point
of marriage?
There are some things
I don't expect you
to understand.
Can you explain to me
how it's so different
even though we grew up
on the same street?
- How are we different?
- Yes.
- Are you serious?
- Please.
Okay.
For a start, you don't
get asked every week
where you're from originally,
or how often you
go back to Pakistan.
You're British,
I'm British born,
which we all know is just code
for non-white.
Brit-ish, you know.
And you're not expected
to apologise profoundly
on behalf of all brown people
every time there's
a terror attack
anywhere in the world.
There was an entire continent
between number 49 and 47, Zoe.
Isn't that why
you're making the film?
I have to pray. I'll be back.
Thank you.
Zoe.
Zoe.
You're in the bride's way.
You look very beautiful.
Thank you.
Hi.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Why are all the women here
dressed in easy access garments?
This is Pucci. Baby.
And that's Mousey,
Toffee and Binky.
Do they have no shame?
I want to go home.
Nani Jan, please don't leave.
Not yet. It's...
Let her leave.
When dinosaurs leave,
at least we all can relax.
Sorry about this.
Not too much smiling.
Now the party starts.
Pin up girl on that poster
Say so like I'm Doja
Icey
Wifey
Body shape Coca-Cola
I got a new man in my business
And he all about his business
And his name ain't
none of your business
Oi, don't get drunk, fellas.
Oh, baby, let them know
'Cause they can run they mouth
Ooh!
What... There's something
in that? What's in that?
It's Coke masala.
- Masala?
- It's really good.
It's so good.
- Whisky.
- Oh, my God.
Money long like beaches
Rolls Royce screeching
Rolex gleaming
Let them know
Oh, baby, let them know
'Cause they can run they mouth
I'm gonna head over there.
Congratulations.
Selfie, selfie.
Have you seen Maymouna?
- I think she was...
- There she is.
And she's a blonde.
Kaz! Come!
Ooh!
Kaz, you... You still haven't
met my friend.
- Taqi.
- Ah.
Lahore's hair king.
Er, queen, darling.
And don't the honeymoon
highlights look fabulous, huh?
Amazing.
- Mmm-hmm.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hi. How are you?
- High. How are you?
He means,
"How high are you?"
Sorry. This is my friend, Zoe.
We're friends from London.
- Hi. You want a jay?
- Hey.
Oh, no. No, thanks.
Take one.
Taqi brings all the treats
to the party. Always.
Darling, I'm only
following the rules.
The Quran says,
if a man lies with another man,
he should be stoned.
Married tomorrow.
- Sin tonight?
- I'm good, thank you.
Oh, my God.
I hope I'm not gonna be
calling you chachoo.
- What's "chachoo"?
- It means "uncle".
I thought
that you'd all be more...
More modern,
living in London and all,
you know.
But I mean, hello?
Oh...
Finally.
Hmm.
Let's... Let's dance.
- You coming?
- Uh, not right now.
- You guys go. Have fun.
- Aw...
I think I'm gonna just...
You want?
No, I'm gonna go and follow...
Nice to meet you guys, though.
Bye!
Whoo!
She likes a party.
Yeah.
Not exactly what my parents
had in mind.
We should go.
Are you okay?
Just tired.
You're sure it's okay to
leave your own mehndi?
No-one's gonna notice, trust me.
Chachoo.
One second.
Oh, wow.
I wanna show you something.
- Come. Come.
- What?
Sufi music.
No, Zoe. Just listen.
Just listen. He's...
He's singing to God.
Singing about a...
dangerous love.
Keeps him awake at night.
You see?
He's going mad.
I told you, Zoe.
Love is a dangerous
mental illness.
What?
I didn't forget it.
The treehouse.
If it wasn't for Islam,
there would have been
no Reformation.
- No Renaissance.
- Hi.
No toothbrushes.
Hi.
Hello, everyone.
That was a hoot, wasn't it?
Have something to eat?
I'm fine.
Where did you all go?
I was perfecting my Hollywood,
Dollywood, Bollywood,
thingies, and I turned round,
you'd all disappeared.
What else did Muslims invent?
Algorithms.
Bicycles.
- Coffee. Algebra.
- Chickens?
No, that's...
Chicken korma?
- The first flying machine.
- Yes.
- Yes, well done.
- That's right!
I could do
without algorithms myself.
Thank God
the bride didn't
join the dancing last night.
Oh, well, no, you...
No, she didn't.
- You enjoyed yourself.
- Hi.
That's important.
Um, do you think we can talk?
5:00 p.m. sharp for the nikah,
everybody, okay?
- I'm not sure...
- No, on camera, I mean.
You're getting married
in a few hours.
Yeah.
How are you feeling?
Feeling fine.
No pre-wedding nerves, or...
No.
I'm all good.
You're still fully signed up
to this?
Yes.
And this is what you want?
Yes, this is what I want.
Is that it, or...
Got everything you need?
Kaz, this is mad.
What's... What's mad?
I just, um...
I just... I feel
like everyone's pretending.
- Who's pretending?
- Er...
Everyone.
I mean, just you're pretending
Jamila doesn't exist.
Er, pretending Maymouna
doesn't dance.
Pretending no one has sex!
Kaz, you're 32 years old!
And your parents don't even
know you smoke.
Oh, my God. I told you before.
That's about respect, Zoe.
This is not a veil on your sins.
This is a bloody great burka
shrouding your whole identity.
What do you want?
I don't want you to marry
someone you don't love.
Life's too short.
And too long
to marry the wrong person.
What do you want for you?
Well, this isn't about me.
Don't worry about me.
I'm fine.
You keep questioning
my decisions.
Maybe you should focus
on your own choices.
What is that supposed to mean?
Maybe the reason
you haven't got anyone
to watch a TV series with
is that you actively
search out anyone who is wrong.
Oh, my God. This is bullshit.
No, it's not bullshit.
A man could be wearing
a literal red flag,
and you'd think it was
a sexy colour on him.
If the first person you date
is a dick, you're unlucky.
If the next ten people
you date are dicks,
then maybe you need
to take a long look
at yourself in the mirror,
and ask yourself why.
Have you got any more
profound psychological insights?
I have a question.
Does it hurt less
when you aim low and miss?
Huh.
Be careful.
I didn't see you, Nani Jan.
But you heard me.
Don't break our hearts again.
Agreed.
All Pakistani brides always cry
as they leave their family.
It's a tradition.
Isn't it gorgeous?
Can we have
Beauty And The Beast?
Yes, please.
Yeah, of course you can.
Come on, then.
Coming.
Beauty And The Beast.
Well, Beast had his faults.
But persistence pays off.
He didn't actually lock Beauty
in his cellar.
That's just what a relationship
felt like to Beauty.
Over time,
Beauty grew to enjoy
Beast's company.
You know,
he was dependable and available,
and there's a lot to be said
for those qualities.
Was the Beast
her dream hunk? No.
Did he sweep her
off her feet? No.
Did he take her breath away?
Perhaps not.
But Beauty had learnt
that it's better
to simmer, then boil.
Do you not have to be a vegan
to do your job?
To be a vet.
No, actually, normally,
I'm only allowed to eat
the animals I put down.
I'm kidding.
I'm just kidding. I'm kidding.
I'm...
That's so close to the bone.
Right, does anyone want anymore?
What the Beast was, kids,
was good enough.
And sometimes,
good enough is good enough.
And she was in love
with the Beast.
She was in like with him.
What do you mean, "in like"?
In like with him,
which is way more important.
- Zoe.
- Great crowd.
Mmm.
Yeah.
Diverse.
Tick.
- Ooh. Grey pound.
- Tick.
This is my mum, actually.
Mum, this is Olly and Sam
who commissioned the film.
Oh, important.
So nice to meet you.
Am I in it?
Oh, you'll have to wait and see.
Yeah.
Oh, that's James.
This is Zoe's boyfriend. Saintly.
And he's a top vet.
Aren't you?
Oh, well, don't know about that.
Britain's Top Vet?
Here we go. Here they come.
Leading vets compete
in a range
of medical challenges.
- Excuse me. Excuse me.
- James, yes.
Okay, yeah.
Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Good.
How... How's married life?
I'm getting settled. It's...
Mmm-hmm.
- I heard you met someone.
- Kind of. Um...
My mum did.
I followed your example.
So, yeah. Not a dick.
Result.
Are you happy?
Mmm-hmm.
And you?
Yeah. I'm getting there.
Good.
- Hi.
- Hi, Maymouna.
Hi. How are you doing?
How are you enjoying London?
London is good.
She's missing home.
- Which is only natural.
- Of course.
But, hey, listen. Um...
About the film.
I just... I wanted to
warn you. It's a rough cut,
so, it's just...
There's still...
Okay, everyone.
We are ready to kick off.
So, Zoe, okay?
Shall we?
- Good luck.
- Yeah. Thanks. You, too.
Hello.
Hi, everyone. Um...
Wow, thank you so much
for coming. Thank you.
I just wanted to say a few words
about my own journey
making this film.
So, I used to think
that arranged marriages
were this mad, out-dated idea.
And, when my friend and
neighbour, Farooq, had one,
I couldn't believe
he could ever be happy.
But I was wrong.
I was wrong.
Um, and now I wonder
as someone with a slightly
chequered romantic history...
Oh, no heckling, please.
Thanks, Mum.
Now I wonder whether there
is something to be learned
from a social system which
offers the opportunity to meet
available, like-minded,
non-commitment phobic men, um,
chosen by the person
who knows you best.
Me. Like me.
And also, you know,
maybe between the two extremes
of no choice
in forced marriages,
and just too much choice
on dating apps...
I'm always on dating apps.
You know,
maybe somewhere between
passion and pragmatism,
maybe there's a path
to happy ever after.
Inshallah, inshallah.
Inshallah.
Um, okay,
I'm gonna stop waffling now.
I'm talking way too much.
But I do want to say
just the biggest thank you
to Kaz and Maymouna.
Thank you so, so much
for allowing me to film...
you walking into love.
- Er, hi.
- Hi.
- All right. Can I just take?
- Yeah, of course.
Cheers.
Is it that different from
using filters on your Tinder?
It's not really lying, is it?
It's...
We're just told to put
a veil on our sins.
Ooh.
Nikah is a sacred
marriage contract.
According to Islam,
bride and groom must both
define their own terms
and conditions.
Power of divorce is available
to both partners equally.
Mahr is a token commitment
of the husband's responsibility.
Hi.
Oh, hi.
- How's it going down?
- Yeah, good.
I don't dare go back in.
- What?
- Huh?
You're super talented.
Oh.
Ugh!
- Zoe.
- Mmm?
Can we talk?
Nothing good's ever come
after those three words, but...
Look...
You're the dream.
If I ever thought I'd end up
with someone like you,
I never would have
been a tortured teenager.
Ooh.
You're either proposing to me
or breaking up with me.
I can't figure out which.
Oh, shit.
I just don't want...
I just can't be your plan B.
- I want more than that.
- Don't...
What are you doing?
This is fine.
All right? This is going fine.
Yeah, but I don't want fine.
Why?
Everyone likes fine!
Zoe, you don't want fine either.
How do you know what I want?
- What am I gonna tell my mum?
- Oh, um...
Tell her
that I will probably end up
being your sensible
second husband.
Well, I mean, either that
or I'll marry the dog.
It was devastating.
I think the worst moment
for me was
when we had
our beautiful little girl,
and I realised that she would
never know her grandparents.
I had such a special
relationship with mine.
But I always knew that
that would be the price
we'd pay to be together.
I, um... I did read the Quran
before we got married
just to try and understand it
a bit.
It says, "A husband and wife
"should be like garments
to each other.
"To protect and keep
each other warm".
We used that
in our wedding vows.
Do you have any regrets?
I regret that I caused
my family so much pain.
Especially my nani jan,
my grandmother.
I can never forget her face
when I left.
But, I...
I don't believe that
we choose who we fall
in love with. It's...
It's too overwhelming
to be in our control.
But even if it had been
a choice and not my kismet,
I'd still have chosen him.
Hey.
What were you thinking, Zoe?
I trusted you.
I was just doing my job.
Your job isn't
to humiliate my family
by broadcasting our issues
to the world.
I had to include Jamila.
Come on.
Please, why is that
so humiliating?
Number 47...
number 49.
Different continents.
It was beautiful.
Maymouna.
Thank you.
Zoe, that was a bit cruel.
You could have told me
that outfit made me look
like a pile of dirty washing.
- Oh! Mum, not now!
- Where's... Where's James?
He just dumped me. So...
Oh, Zoe, what have you done now?
Oh, no! I thought
he was finally the solution.
Oh! You sound like Hitler!
Zoe...
Come on, he's the best one
you've ever picked.
I didn't pick him. You did.
I'm worried
you're gonna end up alone.
You're alone. You seem fine.
- That's different...
- Am I
just half a person
when I'm not with a man?
Is that what you think?
Am I just not enough for you
as I am?
Oh, darling, that's not fair.
That's not fair!
- I can't do this.
- I didn't...
Zoe.
Do you need to get that?
Why didn't you tell me?
So, what do we do now?
Pretend.
Like everyone else.
"Pretend".
Sleeping Beauty
tried to
fake it to make it.
She was just sad.
And so she went to sleep
for 100 years.
Snow White was also sad.
She ate a poisoned apple
on purpose
because she was depressed.
Which literally means
"deep rest".
And...
No-one lived happily ever after
because that never happens
in real life.
Only in fairy tales.
So, yeah,
if we look
at the section here...
What are you doing here?
All good?
I keep calling and calling,
you never answer my phone.
All okay?
Yeah, everything's okay.
How's Maymouna? And...
How are you both getting on?
It's all fine.
Beta, it takes time to adjust.
It wasn't easy for me either
at the start.
Your father and I hardly spoke
for the first month,
and now look at us.
Sorry, ammi, I'm...
So much to do. I'm busy today.
Okay.
So I'll see you both
for Eid tomorrow.
If it's confirmed.
I'll call you later, huh?
You know, beta,
why the Prophet said,
"Paradise lies
at the mother's feet"?
Because there is no love
greater than a mother's love
for her child.
That's why our prayers
are double.
You know what I pray for
every night?
I pray for your happiness.
And the happiness
of all my children.
That's all that matters.
You know, I just wanna be
a good son, ammi.
That's it.
For your messages, press two.
Received, 3:34 p.m.
Hi, Zoe.
Olly and Sam here
from Big Bull Productions.
Look, we loved the doc,
but we've got a problem, okay?
White lens.
Yeah, diverse subject, great.
White director,
it's not so great.
Yeah, so, we're gonna
have to hit pause
on the project, okay?
We're really sorry, obviously.
Really sorry.
Obviously.
And give us a call
if you want a chat.
Oh, shit.
Okay. Bye.
Press two to repeat.
You shouldn't
leave your knickers
just lying about on display.
I don't understand.
- Why are you all dressed up?
- It's Eid.
I'm going to the Khans.
That's good.
Do you want to come?
No, thank you.
I'm the last person
that they wanna see.
Anyway, I'm packing.
- Where are you going?
- Turkey.
For a break.
Since everyone hated my film.
I must just say...
I do admire your independence.
And I...
You're wrong.
I don't value you less
when you're not with a man.
And I'm very, very proud
of everything you've achieved.
But...
But, nothing counts
before the "but".
Well, but...
There's a difference
between independence
and being so cut off
that no-one
can get close to you.
We all need other people.
Even you.
There's no weakness
in that, Zoe.
Zahid's right.
Loneliness is a Western disease
and it's far more deadly
than cancer.
The only cure is to allow
other people to care
about you, and not...
Not to always push them away.
They say it takes a village
to raise a child.
But what about the adults?
I'd say it takes a village
to sustain an adult.
And I'm so lucky
to have found my village
next door and...
All I want
is for you to find yours,
that's all.
Come here.
- That was you then.
- That was my phone.
Saved by the bell.
- Oh, it's from Kaz.
- That's nice.
Can I have a biscuit?
Yeah.
- Do I look nice?
- Yeah, you look great.
Do you wanna...
Do you wanna...
Okay, okay. Um...
Hi.
Uh...
I loved your film, Zoe. And...
I'm sorry if this kind of
ruins your ending,
but...
I think it's gonna
make it more truthful.
Eid Mubarak.
Eid Mubarak.
Just get the spoon. Uh...
No, no, wait, I'll get that...
- Help me cut.
- What do you want me to do?
No, no, not like that!
So festive, as ever!
Eid Mubarak.
Don't you look
gorgeous as always.
I've brought you something
very, very boring.
- Oh, you needn't have.
- And, erm, Zoe's here.
Zoe.
I'm sorry to gatecrash,
but I really need
to talk to Kaz, please.
You've been talking quite a lot
to all my children lately.
Jalebis.
I made them especially for you.
Well, thank you.
It's just you're trying
to give me diabetes.
I know you are.
I'll eat it later.
Can you just get the...
Mmm.
How is everything?
Everyone all right?
Yeah, it's tense.
That's quite a thing.
I mean, I can't...
- Where's Maymouna?
- She's not coming.
What do you mean
she's not coming?
- Hello, darling. Eid Mubarak.
- Happy Eid.
You smell lovely.
Are you okay?
I just saw your email.
- I'm fine.
- Okay.
I'm glad you're here.
Kazim.
Why isn't Maymouna here?
Is she sick?
Ammi, Maymouna's not sick.
Unless you call heartbreak
a sickness.
What do you mean?
Turns out our marriage was more
"insisted" than "assisted".
That's not possible.
They're a modern family.
Everybody was so happy
at the wedding.
Where is she now?
She is working up the courage to
tell her parents we're divorced.
Divorced?
What do you mean?
Just like...
All you have to say is,
"I divorce you,
"I divorce you, I divorce you".
Oh, really?
I wish we had that here.
Beta, triple talaq
is banned in Pakistan
to stop people
from making rash decisions.
Ammi, this isn't rash.
It's... Maymouna was... is...
in love with someone else.
Neither of us wants
to pretend any more.
Okay, since it's a day for
bombshell disclosures.
Um, I think we all need
to try and just be
a bit more honest.
You may as well all know
that I smoke.
That's very bad for you.
And I have done since I was 15.
But you're a doctor now,
so, not in public.
I kept asking myself,
"Why is this grown man
"always up there
in that treehouse?
"Does he think he is Tarzan?"
And I drink sometimes.
Just some red wine
for your cholesterol.
Alcohol has some
medicinal value.
That's a relief.
Obviously,
I never ever touch pork.
Of course not.
You are Muslim, mmm?
Okay. But there's something
way more important. Um...
Ammi...
You always say that Eid is
about family coming together.
Yes.
And if Zoe's film
has shown us one thing,
it's that...
it's that there's been
an important member
of our family missing
for too long.
Too long, ammi jan.
Just give me one second.
Sorry.
Inshallah.
She needs her nani jan.
Beautiful.
Sweetheart.
Eid Mubarak, David, Eid Mubarak.
And I need my nani jan.
Nani Jan.
Nani Jan.
Please.
Oh.
Where's Zoe gone?
Is she gone already
without saying goodbye?
I've spoken to her about that.
She's halfway
to Constantinople by now,
- I shouldn't wonder.
- Wait, what?
Kazim?
Where have you gone?
Oi, Rapunzel.
Let down your hair.
I'm pretty sure I'm the witch
in this fairy tale.
Hi.
Hi.
It's your turn.
Yeah. Um...
I can't speak.
Okay. Sorry. Um...
Okay. I'm gonna put myself
on the line here.
Go on.
- This isn't easy.
- I know. I know.
I'm really high up
- and there's no safety...
- Zoe.
Would you like to watch
a whole TV series with me?
Are you sure?
- Mmm...
- Because we...
We should take it very...
- You know, take it slowly.
- Yeah.
Yeah, like an episode at a time.
- No bingeing.
- No bingeing.
Just please don't
forget it this time.
I never forgot. Never.
And maybe we could just...
Like, we could have a break
clause halfway through.
Always a break clause. Always.
- I... Just...
- Hmm.
We couldn't have
arranged it better ourselves.
Mashallah!
That means, "Thank God".
Ammi jan always said
this would happen
if we came here,
and he went
to a mixed university.
Can't be expected to bowl
a googly every time.
So, we moved out.
Only down the road
to number nine.
Except, er, we call it nine
and three quarters.
Harry Potter!
David's getting
to know the family.
He's even learning Urdu
so he can understand Nani Jan.
Poor little zebra,
never knowing
what colour she is.
It's called
mixed heritage, Nani Jan.
Mixed heritage?
I don't know
what you were expecting.
My head on a stick?
I'm fine.
I am graduated.
I'm a human rights lawyer.
And my parents are super proud.
Zoe!
- Aunty Aisha.
- Lovely to see you, Zoe.
You're looking fresh.
Oh. Excuse me. Sorry.
Hello. No, no, I can talk.
She's always going!
Oh. Oh, right. Um...
Well, can I come in
and discuss this with you?
I have other ideas.
That's great. Okay, goodbye.
Long time no see,
Miss award winning
documentary maker.
Can I have your autograph, please?
Kaz.
What are you doing up there?
- Same as always. Sneaky ciggy.
- Oh.
Come up.
Please don't tell me
your parents still don't know you smoke?
I'm an oncology registrar.
It's not the best look, is it?
But they're happy
now I'm getting married.
You are? Hey, congratulations.
- Who's the lucky lady?
- Don't know yet.
What do you mean?
I'm going old school
on this one.
I'm getting
an arranged marriage.
"Assisted marriage".
That's what we're calling it
these days.
Huh...
What, like assisted suicide?
I can't get my head round
marrying someone you don't know.
It might be easier
than marrying someone
you do know.
Mmm.
Did you never wanna get married?
Ooh, "never" is a bit harsh.
I'm still interviewing.
- I haven't yet met the one.
- Ah, the one.
You know, just
someone who I could commit
to watching a whole
TV series with, would be nice.
Be nice.
Hey, where's your little
sister? I haven't seen her.
- Jamila?
- Yeah.
She couldn't make it.
Sounds like
it's kicking off in there.
We should...
Let's go back inside.
I'm gonna have
to find a new hiding place.
They're cutting down the tree.
- No?
- Yeah.
That's... That's so sad!
This is our tree!
I know. Come on.
Look at Farooq. He's so happy.
Oh, God. Mum dancing.
Thank you, Aisha, darling.
That was just heaven.
I'll be back
for a gupshup tomorrow.
Bye.
Oh.
Wasn't it just
so wonderfully exotic?
I felt... I felt like some
sort of glorious concubine.
Exotic meaning
good foreign rather than
- threatening foreign.
- Yeah, exactly.
Cath, I forgot to give you
some biryani.
Oh, darling, thank you so much.
Oh! I cannot believe
that you did not tell me
that Kaz has asked you
to find him a wife.
Oh, my God. You are so lucky.
Zoe would kill me if I even
tried to choose her clothes,
let alone a husband.
That's because you'd choose
someone ill-fitting
- and insist I grow into him.
- That's mean.
- That's what you would do.
- Stop it, both...
Bye-bye.
- Goodnight.
- Thank you, sweetheart.
Night, Mum.
Bye, darling. Buckle up.
So, Zoe, we loved your doc.
Oh, loved it.
- Kids in care?
- Yes, that one.
That's great.
Because I was hoping...
Unfortunately,
your ideas for your next one...
The bankruptcy courts,
honour killings...
They're a bit bleak.
- Downbeat.
- Yeah. And, you know...
Your scratchier, darker stuff...
- Which we love.
- We love it
right down to the bones.
- Yeah.
- But...
It's not really rating
for us right now.
I think, look, what we're after
is sort of more upbeat...
Yeah.
Characterled stories.
- Warm heart...
- Yeah.
Um, feel-good, really.
And we were
kind of brainstorming,
and we think
that there probably isn't
a feel-good version
of honour killings.
- Probably not.
- But, er...
Thank you very much
for coming in.
We've connected now.
Look, we've got
your details now.
So, silver lining.
Always look at the upside.
Actually, hang on.
Arranged marriages in modern
multi-cultural Britain.
- Sorry, I wasn't listening...
- I'm sorry...
I was just explaining
that my childhood friend
whose parents
are from Pakistan...
He was born in Pakistan? Cool.
No, he was born here.
But he lived literally
next door to me,
and we grew up together.
And he's just decided
to have an arranged marriage.
I could follow him
on his journey
to marry a stranger
chosen by his parents.
What's he... What's he like?
Well, he's great,
he's funny, good-looking.
- Funny's good.
- Really funny!
Kind. Er, you know...
Literally, the last person
you'd ever expect
to do something like this.
I could interview
other British couples
who've also had
arranged marriages.
Um, older, younger,
happy, unhappy.
Yeah, like in
When Harry Met Sally.
Ooh, erm, don't you mean
When Harry Was Forced
To Meet Sally?
Right. Nice.
Well, this isn't
a forced marriage, actually.
This is his idea.
My Big Fat Arranged Wedding.
Instead of Greek, yeah.
Oh, love it.
Everyone thinks
that arranged marriages
are some sort of
mediaeval chattel swap,
but actually they've evolved
into what's called
assisted marriage
with the parents
just suggesting someone
who they think would be
a good match.
Yeah, love that.
Absolutely love that.
Now, I'm just thinking.
Meet The Parents First.
Meet The Parents First.
- Right. Erm, Or, erm...
- It's called Meet The Parents.
I Hope She's A Pretty Woman.
Love Contractually.
- I Love Actually it.
- Yeah.
I mean, think about it.
You got... You got eth, tick.
Female director. Double tick.
Huh!
Wow.
Are him and his family on board?
Totally.
Absolutely not. No.
Come on, Kaz. I'm down
on my knees. I'm begging you.
Out of the question, Zoe.
Kaz, will you please just
do this for me?
Zoe...
- Please!
- I can't talk right now.
I don't know if you've heard,
but I'm an award-winning
documentary film-maker.
Yeah. I did hear that, yeah.
Also, aren't you...
I mean, listen...
Aren't you proud to be a Muslim?
Of course I'm a proud Muslim.
Yeah, then wouldn't it be
a good thing to see
someone like you on TV for once?
Don't extremist madmen
make more entertaining TV?
No, it's important.
Come on, Kaz, please.
We'll get to hang out,
we'll get to spend
some time together.
It'll be fun. Like old times.
Old times? I just remember you
and my sister constantly
trying to shake me off.
Does that sound a bit weird?
Come on, please.
Oh, God, Zoe, stop.
You owe me.
I never told Aunty Aisha
what you got up to
in that treehouse.
All right.
Well, what about this?
We'll meet up,
play a little table tennis.
And if you beat me,
I'll think about it.
Yeah. Sounds good.
No pressure.
Let's go, let's go,
let's go, let's go.
I'm getting...
It's been a while
since I've played this.
Er, dare I ask?
What about love?
It's just a different way
of getting there.
You don't have
to start with love.
You end with love. You know?
And over time,
you grow to love the person
you're with.
Hmm. What?
Like Stockholm Syndrome?
You know, my parents aren't
making me do this.
No, I know.
That's why I'm so surprised.
Do you know what the UK
divorce rate is? I found out.
No. Er, 50%?
55%.
And guess what it is for
Arranged marriages? 6%. Boom.
Thing is, Zoe,
I've seen it work.
I want my kids to have
what I had. Stability.
Marriage isn't just about
two people being in love.
It's a bigger thing than that.
It's about what's best
for children,
and the whole family. Society.
Just say all that weird,
old-fashioned,
conventional shit on camera.
Fuck, that is so annoying.
If I win this rally, right,
you're doing the film.
Yes!
God.
You know where we're going.
I just told you.
I know. But just say it
for the camera.
And look in my eyes.
- What, down to you?
- Yeah, tell me.
Can you give me two seconds?
It's literally just here.
And how is this
any different from, say,
dating apps?
Well, I guess you could say
it's kind of like a bespoke,
3D halal Tinder,
operated by your parents.
I'm Aisha Khan.
I'm the cultural consultant on
this very positive documentary
on arranged marriage.
Great.
If you could just, um,
ignore the camera.
Hi, guys.
Salam aleikum. Mo here.
Mo the matchmaker.
And if you're looking for
a suitable match for your son,
then you've come
to the right place.
We do daughters as well.
Again, just...
You can just pretend
I'm not here.
Sorry, I'm invisible.
Natural. Bring it down
a little bit. Sure, okay.
Okay.
So, platinum services,
they also include me
checking out the girl's family.
Seeing that she's
from a good family home,
nice, tidy, clean.
Okay. So, guys, tell me,
what kind of lovely lady
are we looking for today?
Someone intelligent
and attractive
and who I click with, I suppose.
People keep talking
about this click. You know?
He needs a companion,
not a click.
You know, just someone
who can tolerate my parents.
You know, a girl
from the same background.
Soft-spoken, long hair.
Er, not too dark.
Wheatish complexion,
at the most.
Wheat, beige?
Did you bring your
Pantone colour chart?
Be serious about this, okay?
Brother, have a look at these
and tell me what you think.
- No photos?
- No photos yet.
Think about it,
if she's too fit,
then you won't know
if she's a good fit.
You're gonna see the picture.
Yeah. You're thinking
with your little...
You need to be thinking
with your... Okay?
So, religious observance.
Do you want practising,
moderately practising?
- Practising.
- Not too conservative.
And beard or no beard?
What?
Uh, wrong list.
Sorry, give that back.
Sorry.
Um, okay, and modesty,
are we talking hijab?
Are we talking niqab?
Are we talking jilbab?
Niqab is not necessary.
We are a modern family
after all.
Okay. Now, do we want
a housewife kind of lady,
or do we want career lady?
Seriously, as long as
we're on the same wavelength,
and we have things in common...
But not too ambitious,
or too much into this, er,
women's lib.
And, er, community?
- Pakistani.
- We're open to any background.
But they just said Pakistan.
As long as she's Muslim.
But not Indian.
Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi.
All these are okay.
Sure, cool.
Actually, it would
be best if she is a, you know,
Jalandhar KPK Pathan mix.
This is getting kind of niche.
Okay, and what's, er...
What's your education, bro?
Bachelors in Biology.
Then medical school.
- He's a doctor.
- Oof.
Listen, top of the food chain.
See?
Easy.
And any vices
I should know about?
Any drinking, smoking?
Dogging? S and M?
Anything like that?
- None.
- No.
Okay, Uncle, Aunty,
I will find your son
a brilliant match.
You don't worry about that.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
No dogs, no pets.
No, no. Dogging means
something... Don't worry.
Cats are okay.
Cats?
I'll write that down. "Cats".
We met on our wedding day.
My parents, you know,
they showed me her photograph
and I said, "Okay, it's fine."
My mother asked me, but I said,
"No, you choose.
So, later I can blame you."
Her father was Deputy
Commissioner of the district,
and my father was a doctor
in the same village.
They were friends,
so, they arranged the marriage.
I remember, on the wedding,
we were sitting on the stage
and the lights went out.
In Pakistan, there is
an electricity problem.
And she got scared,
so I leaned over to her
and said,
"Don't worry, it's nothing."
Then I felt okay.
After that,
it was simple sailing.
You know,
when the lights came on,
I felt he was looking at me.
She looked tip-top.
I thought to myself,
"They made
a first-class choice."
Gone cold
It's horrible weather
It's gone stone cold
And you know
we should've got it together
Well, it's nice
It's nice to be wanted
What was wrong with him?
He looked nice.
No!
Him, him. Stop.
He's hot enough
that I'll overlook
that inspirational quote.
"My mantra is..."
No.
"You have
to endure the rain
"if you want
to see the rainbow."
What does that mean?
It means I'll have to toss
a Viagra in his mouth
when he's talking.
Daddy's home.
Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!
Daddy!
What are you doing?
I thought the one upside
to getting married
is that you get
to let yourself go?
Yeah, what's a Viagra?
Aunty Zoe here, by any chance?
I'll go read to the kids
so you can enjoy
some alone time.
Oh, shut up.
Nothing inappropriate, please!
Mmm-mmm. Never.
Come on. Come here.
Once upon a time...
He can come and listen to me
on my shoulder.
- Ready?
- Yes.
Oh, come here, Maud.
Once upon a time,
there was a girl
and she met a frog.
And he promised her
"If you kiss me,
"I'll turn into
a handsome prince."
And
she said, "I'm not interested
"in fixing anyone but myself.
"And anyway,
"I'd far rather have a cool,
"talking frog
than a boring old prince."
That's not a good story.
Do Cinderella.
All right, I'll do Cinderella,
if you're in bed in
five, four, three, two...
Once upon a time,
Cinderella met
a handsome prince.
And sometimes, kids,
you meet someone,
and you know in a heartbeat
that you want
to spend the rest of your life
without them.
Once upon another time,
Cinderella met another prince.
You can probably tell...
Because in fairy tales,
a heroine is incomplete
without one.
how well I've done
out of everything,
And do you know what?
You'd be bloody right, actually.
And another prince.
And he asked her to marry him.
And she said,
"No".
Cinderella focused
on glass ceilings
instead of glass slippers,
which means she focused on work
and realised she was fine
without a boring old prince.
The End.
Check, one, two...
Asalam aleikum,
brothers and sisters.
Welcome to this very,
very special Muslim
marriage event.
I go by the name
of Mo the Matchmaker.
And I'm here
to find you a match.
We are gonna end the spinster
crisis together, guys.
Come on.
There's someone
out there for everyone.
And we all have needs.
Divorcees. Disabled people.
Women over 30.
Okay, brothers,
you may now approach
any sisters
that you like the look of.
Good. Rotate. Very nice.
Oh, look at that chemistry.
We keep it halal, here.
We keep it halal.
Be honest. You're not
gonna get what you want
if you don't say what you want.
Guys, you want a good cook,
say you want your Nigella.
Girls, you want the money man,
say, "I'm looking
for my Elon Musk."
Use your best lines.
Now we are gonna
form a circle of ten.
Five guys, five girls.
Chaperones at the back.
Come on, guys, let's do it.
Your parents are gonna be
so happy, trust me.
Come on.
And, guys,
I want you to be honest, okay?
Is this your first time?
Mate, here,
it's everyone's first time.
At least that's what
they'll tell you.
Boys, boys, boys.
What's going on? Why are you
talking to each other?
There's girls here. Okay?
Unless you want marriage
outside of Islamic sharia,
I suggest you stop talking
to the same sex.
All right, boys? Enjoy.
I'm looking for someone
who has patience
and an understanding of culture.
Someone who's supportive
and honest,
who likes to travel.
Well, just someone who's great.
And who's British enough for me,
and, er, Pakistani enough
for my family.
Someone down to earth
with a sense of humour,
who will encourage me
in my religion.
Where are you from?
Erm, Birmingham.
How about you?
Well, I'm from...
Well, I'm from London.
- What do you do?
- I'm a banker.
- What do you do?
- I... Well, I'm a doctor.
Oh, Kaz.
Isn't this a massive,
crazy gamble?
I mean...
What if there's no chemistry?
How are you even gonna know,
if you don't believe in sex
before marriage
all of a sudden?
I'm not sure I believe in sex
after marriage.
Most of my friends have
no sex after marriage.
And that's with the loves
of their lives.
That's a fair point.
It's depressing.
I think you can usually tell
if the sex would work.
Do you wanna go and get a drink?
A Bloody Mary for me,
and a Virgin for you.
I've got lunch with my parents.
- Oh.
- It's Mother's Day.
Oh, shit.
See you tomorrow.
Yeah.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Hi, Zoe.
Ah! Allah kum salam,
Aunty Aisha.
What?
You still can't say it.
It's...
Asalam aleikum, Aisha.
There you go.
That's exactly what I just said.
Happy Mother's Day.
Wish I could say
the same to you.
I was just saying I wish
I could say the same to her.
Inshallah.
Fat chance of that.
I cannot, for the life of me,
find my other washing-up glove.
And these are new.
I've looked everywhere.
Gosh, hasn't Kazim
got so good...
Where are you? Oh.
So good-looking?
It's hardly surprising, is it?
Look at his mother.
I mean, she...
She's so elegant,
she could be Greek
or Italian.
The compliment
that's actually an insult.
You wouldn't think
they were Muslims
to look at them, would you?
I don't know, Mum.
What do 1.8 billion Muslims
all look like?
- Careful.
- Just...
We've been very lucky to
have them as neighbours.
Actually, they've become
like family to me
since your father left
for that teenaged whore.
- She's 35.
- Exactly.
Oh, is that Grindr?
My hairdresser's never off that.
- Anyone we should meet?
- No.
Oh, well, don't leave it
too late.
Human eggs have
a sell-by date, too, you know.
Maybe I'll freeze them.
I could be a 90-year-old
pushing a triple pram.
Well, that's no good to me,
is it? Because I'll be dead.
Oh...
How is your egg?
It looks a bit raw.
Mmm.
Oh, my God. Oh, my God!
My Marigold!
That's where it got to.
He eats your washing-up gloves?
He eats everything.
At least now you can tell
which way round he is.
Oh!
I'm ringing my lovely vet.
You're going to have to take him
to James the vet
for me tomorrow.
Why can't you take him?
It's my day visiting cancer
patients at the Marsden.
I can't. I've got
a really important meeting.
It's the children's ward.
He'll be fine.
He's eaten my HRT patches
as well.
He'll grow breasts.
You'll grow breasts,
you silly dog.
It's not funny, ZoZo.
It is funny, actually.
James, it's me. I... Erm...
It's the dog. I can't explain,
but something
is hanging out of him
at the wrong end.
How's it going then, boy?
Did you find your missus today?
Don't start with me, man.
I knew you were gonna start
with me today.
Let me just enjoy my...
Anyone good?
There was no one
I clicked with. There was...
Click and collect.
Ammi, come on.
There has to be a spark.
- There wasn't even a flicker.
- You know what I say.
Simmer first, then boil.
You all want to boil first,
then simmer.
And when it cools down,
you get disappointed,
and throw out the chai.
Yeah, well, simmer for too long,
you end up with a dry pot.
No-one likes a dry pot, bro.
He threw
the thing at me, tell him off.
The problem is, people have
too many options.
The distant drum
sounds more exciting.
Did you tell him about the girl
that Mo bhai rang about, huh?
There's a very nice girl
in Lahore.
Convent educated,
excellent family.
Height is okay, five foot two.
If she were five foot,
I would hesitate.
Why wasn't I told?
I'll tell you, I'll tell you.
Supposed to have
a very good nature.
What am I gonna have in common
with someone from Pakistan?
Besides culture, religion,
language, colour, family, genes.
Should I go on?
Yeah, think about it. And your
surname will be the same.
She's a Khan?
Passport, credit cards.
No change.
But she's not a relation?
No. But nothing wrong
with that.
You know, Victoria and Albert
were first cousins.
And they had a museum
named after them!
Okay, yeah, I know.
Listen, we are meeting
the family over Skype
this evening.
You see if you like her.
Please.
Okay. Don't.
Our parents
both knew each other.
They wanted us to meet.
But we were both like, "Nah".
"No way".
- Sorry, sorry.
- Okay.
Then I saw him at Rumi's Cave.
It's like this cultural centre.
And we were both part
of the Muslim archery club.
But we never spoke.
- She was on Minder.
- But he was on Muzmatch.
So we were on different paths.
But we were on the same team
for the Muslim muggles quiz.
It's for Harry Potter fans,
looking at Islamic values
in the series.
- And we identified loads.
- And we won!
Team Hufflepuff!
So, then, after that,
we agreed to meet.
And I remember saying
to myself, you know,
"You wander from room
to room sometimes
"looking for the diamond
"that's already
around your own neck."
Rm.
Okay.
Er, hi.
Hi.
Maymouna.
That's a very lovely name.
It's very beautiful.
Thank you.
Are you named
after anyone in your family?
Mmm.
No.
I think my parents
just liked it.
Great. That's...
You're... You're studying law?
Yes.
Well, I thought about doing law.
But then I didn't.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a brother
who lives here with his wife.
And a sister.
I have one brother, and, um,
and...
My sister lives
in the Northern Areas.
Her husband is posted there.
The roof of the world.
That's my favourite place
on earth.
I haven't been there yet, but...
I remember the first time
I went.
Um...
My grandfather took me.
That was his favourite place
as well. And, um...
I was just a little boy,
and I'd wandered off
and got lost,
and it was weird,
I wasn't scared. It was...
It was the first time
I felt connected
to something bigger
than myself, you know?
Bigger than my own fear, and...
My grandfather gave me
a tight slap when he found me,
though.
That's still the place I feel
closest to God. Definitely.
And to my grandfather.
How do you feel about possibly
moving to London?
- Um...
- She's fine with it.
She will love London.
It's a very multi-cultural
place.
Full of Pakistanis.
It's like
living in a giant brothel.
I'm sorry about this.
- This is my big brother.
- It's okay.
- Farooq.
- He gives me pocket money.
It's normal.
They take their dogs to dinner
and leave their children
at home.
Don't mind her.
Very nice.
Yeah.
What's he been eating this time?
- Mum's HRT patches.
- Ah.
And her washing-up glove.
Last time, it was her pop socks.
Oh, God.
He's like a fluffy Pac-Man.
Let's take a look at him,
- shall we?
- Mmm.
If you could just hold him
nice and still.
Okay. Come on, Barney.
- Oh.
- There you go.
- Oh, I'm just gonna...
- Sorry.
- Sorry.
- Sorry.
Sorry. Does he
come here often?
So often, I know all his
deepest, darkest secrets.
And even some of yours.
No, I'm kidding.
I'm just kidding.
But your mum has told me...
- all about you, though.
- Oh, God.
Film school in London.
Two documentaries.
And a Radio Times
Viewers' and Listeners' Award.
- She gave you my actual CV.
- And your complete works.
- I'm so sorry.
- Don't worry.
I haven't had a chance
to watch them yet,
but they do look really,
really great.
Now, this guy
is gonna be just fine.
If he hasn't passed them
by Friday,
bring him back in,
we'll get him X-rayed.
Okay.
Thanks.
Come on, you silly dog.
Good to see you again, Barney.
And, um, it's lovely to
meet you, too,
for the first time, Zoe.
And you.
If you ever felt like going out
to get a drink or something, sometime,
- we could...
- Thank you.
I'm a bit snowed under with work
- at the moment.
- Yeah, sure.
Just 'cause your mum said
that you... But never mind.
Um...
- Let me get the door for you.
- Yeah.
Thank you. Sorry about that.
- Ta-da!
- Er, mmm...
- Uh, look after that guy.
- I will, thanks.
- Thanks so much.
- And let me know
if your workload...
eases.
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday, dear Mum
Happy birthday to you
Thank you!
I can't actually talk right now
because I'm about to, um...
I'm about to go and
put some grand eggs on ice
for your birthday present.
Ooh!
Yeah. So, you can stop
setting me up
with total strangers.
What a wonderful
birthday present.
Would you like them
gift wrapped?
Is there an express service?
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
Just come in here
on your lunch break.
And then in your 60s,
we defrost your baby.
No.
No.
Egg harvest.
Yeah. Sounds festive, huh?
It's not.
Listen, how much
do you want to be a mother?
Mmm. Well,
I'd rather be a father.
Then you don't have
- to juggle everything.
- Yeah.
No, I, um...
Of course,
I want to be a mother.
I just...
You know, I want to find
the right person. And not yet.
That's why I'm here.
I keep seeing all these women
in their 50s having babies.
So, that's gotta be
frozen eggs, right?
Ah. The same women
that have, like,
really nice skin and no eye bags
because they use
the right moisturiser?
Yeah, highly unlikely.
Do you know the success rate
for frozen eggs?
Well, I know
it's not a guarantee.
No.
It's...
1%.
1% of frozen eggs
result in a live birth.
Really?
But much better odds
for frozen embryos.
Okay.
Um, how do I freeze
an embryo, then?
Just come in with a partner.
Or, you know,
pick a sperm donor.
Or just find a nice
gay friend. That's...
I don't have a partner.
I thought that was the whole
point of this egg freezing,
is that I don't have to put
all my eggs in one bastard.
He texted me instead of her
by mistake.
- Who is she?
- Someone in his office.
I should have known.
He kept not remembering
her name.
Hang on.
Where are you going?
That's not him, is it?
Can you deal with the kids?
Oh, my God.
Once upon a time,
there was a girl called
Little Red Riding Hood.
She'd had a bad week.
And all she wanted
was to feel better.
Or to feel nothing.
So, when her mother warned her
not to stray off that path,
and talk to any strangers
Little Red Riding Hood
thought to herself,
"Where's the fun
on a well-trodden path?"
And of course, she met a wolf.
In an instant,
all those bad feelings
disappeared, like magic.
"What's the worst
that could happen?"
she thought to herself.
"So, a bad boy wolf
wants to eat me?
"A little nibble here
and there can't hurt.
"Can it?"
I was in the shower.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Mmm-hmm.
Sorry. Yeah, I, um...
I fell asleep with my phone
on silent.
Ooh!
Man down.
Ah, come on. Bloody sub.
You're on.
Did you get the goal, at least?
No, I just got you going
down like a skittle.
Great.
That looked painful. Oh.
Hang on,
let me just get this mic on.
I've definitely
pulled something.
So...
What was...
- What was so urgent?
- I, er...
- I've got news.
- Yeah?
I'm, er...
I, er... I got engaged.
Wait, what?
Yeah, I know. It's crazy,
right? But we've...
been talking quite a lot.
And been texting and FaceTime.
And we keep talking.
I really like her.
And the wedding's not for
a whole 'nother month, so...
- A month?
- Yeah, I know.
My mum's already handed out
sweets to the whole street.
It's love at first Skype.
Well, obviously not, no.
Love at first anything's
a mental health issue.
So, um, how old is she again?
Willmore, track! Willmore!
Leaving the party early.
Not worried about the age gap?
I knew you were gonna ask that.
No, she's super smart.
And you reckon that you have
enough in common?
Well, we will have.
She gets it.
She understands
how it all works.
You know, she wants to be
- a human rights lawyer.
- Wow.
Sorry.
I'm just taking it all in. Um...
So you really will be
marrying a stranger.
I guess, in the end,
so is everyone else.
Everyone turns out to be
someone else,
or fucking someone else.
- Are you okay?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm fine.
Can you turn the thing on the...
No, no, no. Sorry. Sorry.
Zoe, off!
What's up?
Uh, sorry.
Oh, it's just been
a challenging week.
What? Another date with
someone you already hate?
What you need is a holiday.
Yeah.
In Lahore.
Mmm.
Oh, darling.
Just in time for a quick bite
before we leave.
Great. Oh, sorry. Eggs again?
No, no, no. Omelettes.
Come on.
Ooh, now in there
is a little care package
I've put together for us.
Just the basics.
Imodium, HobNobs, rape alarm.
Is Barney joining us?
Don't be silly.
Although, um...
No, James is coming
to pick him up
and I thought that... Ooh!
There he is. I thought
he might like to join us
for a little... Little lunch.
James!
Hi.
My favourite dog whisperer.
Oh, come in.
Zoe. You remember James,
don't you?
James delivered
your pop socks. Hi.
Talking of which...
- So, how have you been?
- Oh, you know, saving lives.
A gerbil, a cat,
octogenarian tortoise
who's making a slow recovery.
- Sorry.
- He's so funny.
He's so... He's so funny.
Why don't you just sit,
and have a chat
while I cook the toast?
So, you're off to
a fancy wedding
- in Pakistan, I hear?
- Yeah.
I've never missed
a Khan wedding,
and I can't wait
to wear a burkini
- on the subcontinent.
- Wow.
Except for Lahore
is nowhere near the sea.
Well, you never know
where we might end up.
And when we come back,
we should have dinner
with James.
We'll get Helena and Harry over.
Helena is Zoe's
very good friend.
She's married
to a lovely man called Harry.
Who's been having an affair.
- Harry?
- Yes.
- No? I can't believe it.
- Yes!
I'm pretty sure most
married men would cheat
if they could get away with it.
James wouldn't.
Even if you're sure
your wife would never know?
No, of course not.
Why not?
Because I'd know.
Bon apptit.
Mmm.
Wait a minute, pet.
Oh!
So, erm...
- Oh, hello, darling.
- Hello!
You're early.
Why are you so early?
Flight doesn't leave for hours.
I know. I know. We just need
to allow extra time
for security.
Why?
So, I can be randomly selected.
Oh! Oh.
Oh...
Well, that's a shame.
James was about to tell us
something
absolutely hilarious.
Look who's here.
He says we've got to go.
Sorry, Mum, that your enormous
efforts have gone to waste.
But, you know, we've got
a plane to catch, and...
Kaz, the doctor...
- Hi.
- Hi.
Meet James the vet.
I've heard all about you.
Good luck with the wedding.
- Thank you.
- Oh. Barney. Barney.
Mummy go shopping.
Mummy go shopping.
Don't tell Barney that
I'm off to Lahore,
because he'll get...
Shopping. Shopping.
Stay. Shopping. Stay. Stay.
Let me help you with the cases.
No, I'll get them.
Well, I'm looking forward
to hearing how it all goes.
- Yeah, you, too.
- Great. Well...
- Oh...
- I mean, thanks.
- Great. Yeah.
- Bye. Bye.
Oh, James.
I am so sorry
that we've got to go. But...
Well, I'll FaceTime you both
from Pakistan
or, or...
Cover my FaceTime.
You set me off.
Keep that, just in case
you might want to go shopping.
Bye. Darling, bye.
Eat the omelettes.
- Okay. Yeah.
- Bye. Bye.
Bye!
Barney.
And this is her in
the nativity play where...
You don't know what that is,
but I'll explain later.
Her when she was a little baby.
She was only three months old.
Are you all right?
It's thought field therapy.
It's, er...
a technique.
I don't like flying.
Even the lingo's morbid.
It's what?
"Final destination".
"Departed".
Or "Terminal".
Some nuts, sir?
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Who was that guy
at your mum's house?
Mmm.
If I were Pakistani,
he'd be my arranged husband.
- Sounds ideal.
- Except that he's not my type.
- What is your type?
- Oh!
- But is that wrong?
- Yeah.
Uh, don't know.
Can I ask you a question?
Would you cheat if you knew
you'd never get caught?
Be honest.
If your wife would never know.
No.
Why not?
Well, he'd know.
Oh.
He's listening.
Aren't they
desperately uncomfortable
covered up like that
in this heat
except for their eyes?
No, not as uncomfortable
as those poor women
who are uncovered
except for their eyes.
Like on Love Island.
You see, Cath,
our women are valued
for what's on the inside.
Which is why we don't have
plastic surgery
and anorexia,
and all these Western diseases.
Well, I suppose a burka's
wonderfully forgiving, isn't it?
A rupee for your thoughts?
Oh, it's even better
with my sunglasses off.
What a beautiful hall.
I'm not trying to upset you.
We can't go on like this.
You know this has caused me
the greatest pain in my life.
And that of
your grandmother, too.
Then, there's nothing
we can do about it.
Okay.
I'm so proud of you.
Let's not spoil
this happy occasion.
They met on their wedding day.
He came to her village
on a white horse
to take her away from her home.
In youth,
even a crow looks princely.
Er, like a charming prince.
I was allergic to horses.
And they rode off together.
And did they fall in love?
Fall in love, lose your peace.
You know,
we always say, it is, uh,
better to fall into like,
and walk into love.
It was a good match.
It was a good match.
- Asalam o aleikum.
- Waleikum salam.
- Asalam o aleikum.
- Waleikum.
- Asalam o aleikum.
- Waleikum salam.
What a beautiful girl!
Thank you.
Pleased to meet you
in person, finally.
Thank you.
How are your studies going?
Good.
Good.
Um, I was thinking
we could maybe
do something together
this evening.
We met on Skype.
Um...
I thought she was...
You know, attractive,
obviously. And intelligent.
Full of life.
I don't know
what you thought of me.
I thought he seemed
nice and reasonable.
That's great. Um...
Can you tell me
how... How did you propose?
Um...
Well, actually, my...
parents proposed to her parents.
It must have been
daunting for you, Maymouna,
deciding whether
to spend the rest of your life
with someone you hardly know.
Mmm.
If my parents are comfortable
with their decision,
I'm okay with it.
And we talked a load
on the phone.
And then we got
to know each other.
Can you sum up
how you both feel?
Good.
Feels... Feels
like the timing's right.
And...
Can you see yourselves
falling in love?
Yes, inshallah.
Whatever "in love" means.
Hmm.
Did he remember you
from when you were a kid?
- Yeah, that's family...
- Well?
- Hey, morning.
- Where are you going?
You haven't even had breakfast.
I need to go to the tailor.
Then I was gonna take Zoe
to Anarkali bazaar.
You're gonna love it.
It's a massive bazaar
named after
a beautiful dancing girl.
Who was buried alive
by Emperor Akbar
because she was an unsuitable
match for his son.
Buried alive.
I'll see you later.
Yasmin. Take this
for Nani Jan.
I can't believe you said...
"Whatever love means".
Huh?
That's what Prince Charles
famously said
when he got engaged to Diana.
I thought that sounded familiar.
They basically had
an arranged marriage.
Yeah.
That worked out really well.
Princess Diana wanted
to marry a Pakistani man.
- Doctor Hasnat Khan.
- Doctor Khan.
- Mother said no.
- What happened to him?
He had an arranged marriage.
Lived happily enough ever after?
Got divorced.
He'd become too much Western.
Okay, question.
What did you think of her?
In real life?
- She's great.
- Yeah, but, um,
did you fancy her?
Zoe, please. Do I have to say
that on camera? Come on.
- So annoying.
- Fine.
And are you nervous
about the mehndi tonight?
Actually, just tell me
what that is.
Well, in Pakistan,
we really like
to draw out
the wedding celebrations.
It's over three days.
Uh...
And first it's the mehndi,
which is tonight.
And, uh...
Kind of like a stag
and a hen rolled into one.
Except your grandparents are
there, which is lovely.
And the groom
isn't stripped naked
and tied to a lamppost.
And then the next day
is the nikah,
that's the actual marriage.
And the shaadi.
Then, er, walima.
Where the main thing is
you have to look
like you haven't enjoyed
your first night together.
What if you haven't enjoyed
your first night together?
- No comment?
- No comment.
Can we go in?
My mum would love this.
Can I film in here?
Afghanistan.
It's beautiful.
How much is it?
15,000.
Give him 10,000.
Here.
Thank you.
Thanks, Kaz.
You know
all that stuff,
passion, and...
chemistry, whatever you want
to call it,
it's not
the most important thing.
Doesn't last, anyway.
It's amazing.
He thinks you're my wife.
I'm saying
that you're just a friend.
Just friends.
I was your first kiss, too.
In the treehouse.
I just can't believe
you've forgotten.
Kaz.
Hmm?
What was that row
with your mum about?
It's...
Just about Jamila
coming to the wedding.
Why is what she did so bad?
A Muslim woman isn't supposed
to marry a non-Muslim guy.
It's haram, innit?
- I know.
- She ran off with this guy,
broke my grandfather's heart. Literally.
He died a week later.
You can't blame that on her.
Then she didn't even come
to the funeral.
Why not?
She wanted him...
David, to be welcome, too.
Can I film you saying
this stuff?
- No.
- Please, Kaz.
I can't just show
what you want me to show.
If it's not truthful,
it just won't have any value.
Please.
- Okay. I'm sorry.
- You know they've had a baby?
My mum's first grandchild
who she's never even met.
All this unhappiness.
All she did was fall in love.
No, that's not all she did, Zoe.
She chose love over family.
But isn't that the whole point
of marriage?
There are some things
I don't expect you
to understand.
Can you explain to me
how it's so different
even though we grew up
on the same street?
- How are we different?
- Yes.
- Are you serious?
- Please.
Okay.
For a start, you don't
get asked every week
where you're from originally,
or how often you
go back to Pakistan.
You're British,
I'm British born,
which we all know is just code
for non-white.
Brit-ish, you know.
And you're not expected
to apologise profoundly
on behalf of all brown people
every time there's
a terror attack
anywhere in the world.
There was an entire continent
between number 49 and 47, Zoe.
Isn't that why
you're making the film?
I have to pray. I'll be back.
Thank you.
Zoe.
Zoe.
You're in the bride's way.
You look very beautiful.
Thank you.
Hi.
- Hi.
- Hi.
Why are all the women here
dressed in easy access garments?
This is Pucci. Baby.
And that's Mousey,
Toffee and Binky.
Do they have no shame?
I want to go home.
Nani Jan, please don't leave.
Not yet. It's...
Let her leave.
When dinosaurs leave,
at least we all can relax.
Sorry about this.
Not too much smiling.
Now the party starts.
Pin up girl on that poster
Say so like I'm Doja
Icey
Wifey
Body shape Coca-Cola
I got a new man in my business
And he all about his business
And his name ain't
none of your business
Oi, don't get drunk, fellas.
Oh, baby, let them know
'Cause they can run they mouth
Ooh!
What... There's something
in that? What's in that?
It's Coke masala.
- Masala?
- It's really good.
It's so good.
- Whisky.
- Oh, my God.
Money long like beaches
Rolls Royce screeching
Rolex gleaming
Let them know
Oh, baby, let them know
'Cause they can run they mouth
I'm gonna head over there.
Congratulations.
Selfie, selfie.
Have you seen Maymouna?
- I think she was...
- There she is.
And she's a blonde.
Kaz! Come!
Ooh!
Kaz, you... You still haven't
met my friend.
- Taqi.
- Ah.
Lahore's hair king.
Er, queen, darling.
And don't the honeymoon
highlights look fabulous, huh?
Amazing.
- Mmm-hmm.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hi. How are you?
- High. How are you?
He means,
"How high are you?"
Sorry. This is my friend, Zoe.
We're friends from London.
- Hi. You want a jay?
- Hey.
Oh, no. No, thanks.
Take one.
Taqi brings all the treats
to the party. Always.
Darling, I'm only
following the rules.
The Quran says,
if a man lies with another man,
he should be stoned.
Married tomorrow.
- Sin tonight?
- I'm good, thank you.
Oh, my God.
I hope I'm not gonna be
calling you chachoo.
- What's "chachoo"?
- It means "uncle".
I thought
that you'd all be more...
More modern,
living in London and all,
you know.
But I mean, hello?
Oh...
Finally.
Hmm.
Let's... Let's dance.
- You coming?
- Uh, not right now.
- You guys go. Have fun.
- Aw...
I think I'm gonna just...
You want?
No, I'm gonna go and follow...
Nice to meet you guys, though.
Bye!
Whoo!
She likes a party.
Yeah.
Not exactly what my parents
had in mind.
We should go.
Are you okay?
Just tired.
You're sure it's okay to
leave your own mehndi?
No-one's gonna notice, trust me.
Chachoo.
One second.
Oh, wow.
I wanna show you something.
- Come. Come.
- What?
Sufi music.
No, Zoe. Just listen.
Just listen. He's...
He's singing to God.
Singing about a...
dangerous love.
Keeps him awake at night.
You see?
He's going mad.
I told you, Zoe.
Love is a dangerous
mental illness.
What?
I didn't forget it.
The treehouse.
If it wasn't for Islam,
there would have been
no Reformation.
- No Renaissance.
- Hi.
No toothbrushes.
Hi.
Hello, everyone.
That was a hoot, wasn't it?
Have something to eat?
I'm fine.
Where did you all go?
I was perfecting my Hollywood,
Dollywood, Bollywood,
thingies, and I turned round,
you'd all disappeared.
What else did Muslims invent?
Algorithms.
Bicycles.
- Coffee. Algebra.
- Chickens?
No, that's...
Chicken korma?
- The first flying machine.
- Yes.
- Yes, well done.
- That's right!
I could do
without algorithms myself.
Thank God
the bride didn't
join the dancing last night.
Oh, well, no, you...
No, she didn't.
- You enjoyed yourself.
- Hi.
That's important.
Um, do you think we can talk?
5:00 p.m. sharp for the nikah,
everybody, okay?
- I'm not sure...
- No, on camera, I mean.
You're getting married
in a few hours.
Yeah.
How are you feeling?
Feeling fine.
No pre-wedding nerves, or...
No.
I'm all good.
You're still fully signed up
to this?
Yes.
And this is what you want?
Yes, this is what I want.
Is that it, or...
Got everything you need?
Kaz, this is mad.
What's... What's mad?
I just, um...
I just... I feel
like everyone's pretending.
- Who's pretending?
- Er...
Everyone.
I mean, just you're pretending
Jamila doesn't exist.
Er, pretending Maymouna
doesn't dance.
Pretending no one has sex!
Kaz, you're 32 years old!
And your parents don't even
know you smoke.
Oh, my God. I told you before.
That's about respect, Zoe.
This is not a veil on your sins.
This is a bloody great burka
shrouding your whole identity.
What do you want?
I don't want you to marry
someone you don't love.
Life's too short.
And too long
to marry the wrong person.
What do you want for you?
Well, this isn't about me.
Don't worry about me.
I'm fine.
You keep questioning
my decisions.
Maybe you should focus
on your own choices.
What is that supposed to mean?
Maybe the reason
you haven't got anyone
to watch a TV series with
is that you actively
search out anyone who is wrong.
Oh, my God. This is bullshit.
No, it's not bullshit.
A man could be wearing
a literal red flag,
and you'd think it was
a sexy colour on him.
If the first person you date
is a dick, you're unlucky.
If the next ten people
you date are dicks,
then maybe you need
to take a long look
at yourself in the mirror,
and ask yourself why.
Have you got any more
profound psychological insights?
I have a question.
Does it hurt less
when you aim low and miss?
Huh.
Be careful.
I didn't see you, Nani Jan.
But you heard me.
Don't break our hearts again.
Agreed.
All Pakistani brides always cry
as they leave their family.
It's a tradition.
Isn't it gorgeous?
Can we have
Beauty And The Beast?
Yes, please.
Yeah, of course you can.
Come on, then.
Coming.
Beauty And The Beast.
Well, Beast had his faults.
But persistence pays off.
He didn't actually lock Beauty
in his cellar.
That's just what a relationship
felt like to Beauty.
Over time,
Beauty grew to enjoy
Beast's company.
You know,
he was dependable and available,
and there's a lot to be said
for those qualities.
Was the Beast
her dream hunk? No.
Did he sweep her
off her feet? No.
Did he take her breath away?
Perhaps not.
But Beauty had learnt
that it's better
to simmer, then boil.
Do you not have to be a vegan
to do your job?
To be a vet.
No, actually, normally,
I'm only allowed to eat
the animals I put down.
I'm kidding.
I'm just kidding. I'm kidding.
I'm...
That's so close to the bone.
Right, does anyone want anymore?
What the Beast was, kids,
was good enough.
And sometimes,
good enough is good enough.
And she was in love
with the Beast.
She was in like with him.
What do you mean, "in like"?
In like with him,
which is way more important.
- Zoe.
- Great crowd.
Mmm.
Yeah.
Diverse.
Tick.
- Ooh. Grey pound.
- Tick.
This is my mum, actually.
Mum, this is Olly and Sam
who commissioned the film.
Oh, important.
So nice to meet you.
Am I in it?
Oh, you'll have to wait and see.
Yeah.
Oh, that's James.
This is Zoe's boyfriend. Saintly.
And he's a top vet.
Aren't you?
Oh, well, don't know about that.
Britain's Top Vet?
Here we go. Here they come.
Leading vets compete
in a range
of medical challenges.
- Excuse me. Excuse me.
- James, yes.
Okay, yeah.
Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Good.
How... How's married life?
I'm getting settled. It's...
Mmm-hmm.
- I heard you met someone.
- Kind of. Um...
My mum did.
I followed your example.
So, yeah. Not a dick.
Result.
Are you happy?
Mmm-hmm.
And you?
Yeah. I'm getting there.
Good.
- Hi.
- Hi, Maymouna.
Hi. How are you doing?
How are you enjoying London?
London is good.
She's missing home.
- Which is only natural.
- Of course.
But, hey, listen. Um...
About the film.
I just... I wanted to
warn you. It's a rough cut,
so, it's just...
There's still...
Okay, everyone.
We are ready to kick off.
So, Zoe, okay?
Shall we?
- Good luck.
- Yeah. Thanks. You, too.
Hello.
Hi, everyone. Um...
Wow, thank you so much
for coming. Thank you.
I just wanted to say a few words
about my own journey
making this film.
So, I used to think
that arranged marriages
were this mad, out-dated idea.
And, when my friend and
neighbour, Farooq, had one,
I couldn't believe
he could ever be happy.
But I was wrong.
I was wrong.
Um, and now I wonder
as someone with a slightly
chequered romantic history...
Oh, no heckling, please.
Thanks, Mum.
Now I wonder whether there
is something to be learned
from a social system which
offers the opportunity to meet
available, like-minded,
non-commitment phobic men, um,
chosen by the person
who knows you best.
Me. Like me.
And also, you know,
maybe between the two extremes
of no choice
in forced marriages,
and just too much choice
on dating apps...
I'm always on dating apps.
You know,
maybe somewhere between
passion and pragmatism,
maybe there's a path
to happy ever after.
Inshallah, inshallah.
Inshallah.
Um, okay,
I'm gonna stop waffling now.
I'm talking way too much.
But I do want to say
just the biggest thank you
to Kaz and Maymouna.
Thank you so, so much
for allowing me to film...
you walking into love.
- Er, hi.
- Hi.
- All right. Can I just take?
- Yeah, of course.
Cheers.
Is it that different from
using filters on your Tinder?
It's not really lying, is it?
It's...
We're just told to put
a veil on our sins.
Ooh.
Nikah is a sacred
marriage contract.
According to Islam,
bride and groom must both
define their own terms
and conditions.
Power of divorce is available
to both partners equally.
Mahr is a token commitment
of the husband's responsibility.
Hi.
Oh, hi.
- How's it going down?
- Yeah, good.
I don't dare go back in.
- What?
- Huh?
You're super talented.
Oh.
Ugh!
- Zoe.
- Mmm?
Can we talk?
Nothing good's ever come
after those three words, but...
Look...
You're the dream.
If I ever thought I'd end up
with someone like you,
I never would have
been a tortured teenager.
Ooh.
You're either proposing to me
or breaking up with me.
I can't figure out which.
Oh, shit.
I just don't want...
I just can't be your plan B.
- I want more than that.
- Don't...
What are you doing?
This is fine.
All right? This is going fine.
Yeah, but I don't want fine.
Why?
Everyone likes fine!
Zoe, you don't want fine either.
How do you know what I want?
- What am I gonna tell my mum?
- Oh, um...
Tell her
that I will probably end up
being your sensible
second husband.
Well, I mean, either that
or I'll marry the dog.
It was devastating.
I think the worst moment
for me was
when we had
our beautiful little girl,
and I realised that she would
never know her grandparents.
I had such a special
relationship with mine.
But I always knew that
that would be the price
we'd pay to be together.
I, um... I did read the Quran
before we got married
just to try and understand it
a bit.
It says, "A husband and wife
"should be like garments
to each other.
"To protect and keep
each other warm".
We used that
in our wedding vows.
Do you have any regrets?
I regret that I caused
my family so much pain.
Especially my nani jan,
my grandmother.
I can never forget her face
when I left.
But, I...
I don't believe that
we choose who we fall
in love with. It's...
It's too overwhelming
to be in our control.
But even if it had been
a choice and not my kismet,
I'd still have chosen him.
Hey.
What were you thinking, Zoe?
I trusted you.
I was just doing my job.
Your job isn't
to humiliate my family
by broadcasting our issues
to the world.
I had to include Jamila.
Come on.
Please, why is that
so humiliating?
Number 47...
number 49.
Different continents.
It was beautiful.
Maymouna.
Thank you.
Zoe, that was a bit cruel.
You could have told me
that outfit made me look
like a pile of dirty washing.
- Oh! Mum, not now!
- Where's... Where's James?
He just dumped me. So...
Oh, Zoe, what have you done now?
Oh, no! I thought
he was finally the solution.
Oh! You sound like Hitler!
Zoe...
Come on, he's the best one
you've ever picked.
I didn't pick him. You did.
I'm worried
you're gonna end up alone.
You're alone. You seem fine.
- That's different...
- Am I
just half a person
when I'm not with a man?
Is that what you think?
Am I just not enough for you
as I am?
Oh, darling, that's not fair.
That's not fair!
- I can't do this.
- I didn't...
Zoe.
Do you need to get that?
Why didn't you tell me?
So, what do we do now?
Pretend.
Like everyone else.
"Pretend".
Sleeping Beauty
tried to
fake it to make it.
She was just sad.
And so she went to sleep
for 100 years.
Snow White was also sad.
She ate a poisoned apple
on purpose
because she was depressed.
Which literally means
"deep rest".
And...
No-one lived happily ever after
because that never happens
in real life.
Only in fairy tales.
So, yeah,
if we look
at the section here...
What are you doing here?
All good?
I keep calling and calling,
you never answer my phone.
All okay?
Yeah, everything's okay.
How's Maymouna? And...
How are you both getting on?
It's all fine.
Beta, it takes time to adjust.
It wasn't easy for me either
at the start.
Your father and I hardly spoke
for the first month,
and now look at us.
Sorry, ammi, I'm...
So much to do. I'm busy today.
Okay.
So I'll see you both
for Eid tomorrow.
If it's confirmed.
I'll call you later, huh?
You know, beta,
why the Prophet said,
"Paradise lies
at the mother's feet"?
Because there is no love
greater than a mother's love
for her child.
That's why our prayers
are double.
You know what I pray for
every night?
I pray for your happiness.
And the happiness
of all my children.
That's all that matters.
You know, I just wanna be
a good son, ammi.
That's it.
For your messages, press two.
Received, 3:34 p.m.
Hi, Zoe.
Olly and Sam here
from Big Bull Productions.
Look, we loved the doc,
but we've got a problem, okay?
White lens.
Yeah, diverse subject, great.
White director,
it's not so great.
Yeah, so, we're gonna
have to hit pause
on the project, okay?
We're really sorry, obviously.
Really sorry.
Obviously.
And give us a call
if you want a chat.
Oh, shit.
Okay. Bye.
Press two to repeat.
You shouldn't
leave your knickers
just lying about on display.
I don't understand.
- Why are you all dressed up?
- It's Eid.
I'm going to the Khans.
That's good.
Do you want to come?
No, thank you.
I'm the last person
that they wanna see.
Anyway, I'm packing.
- Where are you going?
- Turkey.
For a break.
Since everyone hated my film.
I must just say...
I do admire your independence.
And I...
You're wrong.
I don't value you less
when you're not with a man.
And I'm very, very proud
of everything you've achieved.
But...
But, nothing counts
before the "but".
Well, but...
There's a difference
between independence
and being so cut off
that no-one
can get close to you.
We all need other people.
Even you.
There's no weakness
in that, Zoe.
Zahid's right.
Loneliness is a Western disease
and it's far more deadly
than cancer.
The only cure is to allow
other people to care
about you, and not...
Not to always push them away.
They say it takes a village
to raise a child.
But what about the adults?
I'd say it takes a village
to sustain an adult.
And I'm so lucky
to have found my village
next door and...
All I want
is for you to find yours,
that's all.
Come here.
- That was you then.
- That was my phone.
Saved by the bell.
- Oh, it's from Kaz.
- That's nice.
Can I have a biscuit?
Yeah.
- Do I look nice?
- Yeah, you look great.
Do you wanna...
Do you wanna...
Okay, okay. Um...
Hi.
Uh...
I loved your film, Zoe. And...
I'm sorry if this kind of
ruins your ending,
but...
I think it's gonna
make it more truthful.
Eid Mubarak.
Eid Mubarak.
Just get the spoon. Uh...
No, no, wait, I'll get that...
- Help me cut.
- What do you want me to do?
No, no, not like that!
So festive, as ever!
Eid Mubarak.
Don't you look
gorgeous as always.
I've brought you something
very, very boring.
- Oh, you needn't have.
- And, erm, Zoe's here.
Zoe.
I'm sorry to gatecrash,
but I really need
to talk to Kaz, please.
You've been talking quite a lot
to all my children lately.
Jalebis.
I made them especially for you.
Well, thank you.
It's just you're trying
to give me diabetes.
I know you are.
I'll eat it later.
Can you just get the...
Mmm.
How is everything?
Everyone all right?
Yeah, it's tense.
That's quite a thing.
I mean, I can't...
- Where's Maymouna?
- She's not coming.
What do you mean
she's not coming?
- Hello, darling. Eid Mubarak.
- Happy Eid.
You smell lovely.
Are you okay?
I just saw your email.
- I'm fine.
- Okay.
I'm glad you're here.
Kazim.
Why isn't Maymouna here?
Is she sick?
Ammi, Maymouna's not sick.
Unless you call heartbreak
a sickness.
What do you mean?
Turns out our marriage was more
"insisted" than "assisted".
That's not possible.
They're a modern family.
Everybody was so happy
at the wedding.
Where is she now?
She is working up the courage to
tell her parents we're divorced.
Divorced?
What do you mean?
Just like...
All you have to say is,
"I divorce you,
"I divorce you, I divorce you".
Oh, really?
I wish we had that here.
Beta, triple talaq
is banned in Pakistan
to stop people
from making rash decisions.
Ammi, this isn't rash.
It's... Maymouna was... is...
in love with someone else.
Neither of us wants
to pretend any more.
Okay, since it's a day for
bombshell disclosures.
Um, I think we all need
to try and just be
a bit more honest.
You may as well all know
that I smoke.
That's very bad for you.
And I have done since I was 15.
But you're a doctor now,
so, not in public.
I kept asking myself,
"Why is this grown man
"always up there
in that treehouse?
"Does he think he is Tarzan?"
And I drink sometimes.
Just some red wine
for your cholesterol.
Alcohol has some
medicinal value.
That's a relief.
Obviously,
I never ever touch pork.
Of course not.
You are Muslim, mmm?
Okay. But there's something
way more important. Um...
Ammi...
You always say that Eid is
about family coming together.
Yes.
And if Zoe's film
has shown us one thing,
it's that...
it's that there's been
an important member
of our family missing
for too long.
Too long, ammi jan.
Just give me one second.
Sorry.
Inshallah.
She needs her nani jan.
Beautiful.
Sweetheart.
Eid Mubarak, David, Eid Mubarak.
And I need my nani jan.
Nani Jan.
Nani Jan.
Please.
Oh.
Where's Zoe gone?
Is she gone already
without saying goodbye?
I've spoken to her about that.
She's halfway
to Constantinople by now,
- I shouldn't wonder.
- Wait, what?
Kazim?
Where have you gone?
Oi, Rapunzel.
Let down your hair.
I'm pretty sure I'm the witch
in this fairy tale.
Hi.
Hi.
It's your turn.
Yeah. Um...
I can't speak.
Okay. Sorry. Um...
Okay. I'm gonna put myself
on the line here.
Go on.
- This isn't easy.
- I know. I know.
I'm really high up
- and there's no safety...
- Zoe.
Would you like to watch
a whole TV series with me?
Are you sure?
- Mmm...
- Because we...
We should take it very...
- You know, take it slowly.
- Yeah.
Yeah, like an episode at a time.
- No bingeing.
- No bingeing.
Just please don't
forget it this time.
I never forgot. Never.
And maybe we could just...
Like, we could have a break
clause halfway through.
Always a break clause. Always.
- I... Just...
- Hmm.
We couldn't have
arranged it better ourselves.
Mashallah!
That means, "Thank God".
Ammi jan always said
this would happen
if we came here,
and he went
to a mixed university.
Can't be expected to bowl
a googly every time.
So, we moved out.
Only down the road
to number nine.
Except, er, we call it nine
and three quarters.
Harry Potter!
David's getting
to know the family.
He's even learning Urdu
so he can understand Nani Jan.
Poor little zebra,
never knowing
what colour she is.
It's called
mixed heritage, Nani Jan.
Mixed heritage?
I don't know
what you were expecting.
My head on a stick?
I'm fine.
I am graduated.
I'm a human rights lawyer.
And my parents are super proud.