On the 25th of July I attended a preview screening for Blinded by the Light at Palace Barracks on assignment for Scenestr magazine. I didn’t quite know what to expect but what I saw was the first great film of 2019. The release date had just been moved so finally three months later I can tell you about how good this movie is.
Directed by Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) and starring Viveik Kalra as Javed Khan, the film is a wonderful coming of age tale centred around the son of Pakistani immigrants growing up in Luton, England circa 1987.
Javed is finding himself when he discovers the music of Bruce Springsteen and uses it to guide him in pursuing his dreams and defining himself. A period piece, there are startling parallels to our own times and nostalgia for a time now gone.
I can’t say enough good things about this movie, with unnecessary sequels like Terminator: Dark Fate and Zombieland: Double Tap pass through our cinemas I would urge anybody to check out this feel good delight and make it the surprise hit of the season.
You can read my review here https://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/blinded-by-the-light-review-20191022
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
OH right. This one did come out months ago here but it was kind of a blip in theatres. I’ll definitely check it out when it hits VOD.
I hope you enjoy Jay.
From your review, I can sense how much you enjoyed this, Lloyd. We do those ‘immigrant community’ films really well over here, and this looks like another winner. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
It is, I think what’s great about it it’s really a teen coming of age film but it authentically depicts those aspects of being a child of immigrants. I just loved it! Best wishes Pete.