My Beautiful Laundrette

Director: Stephen Frears
97 mins Film4 Archive

Stephen Frears and Hanif Kureishi's Oscar-nominated drama

Set in the Pakistani community of London, My Beautiful Laundrette follows the fortunes of handsome young Omar who, together with his English friend Johnny, takes over a run-down laundrette given to him by his rich uncle. Together they transform it into a gaudy, neon-lit palace complete with muzakĀ and video screens. Against a background of racial tension and poverty in the rough London suburb, their own relationship, portrayed with tenderness and passion, blossoms to love.

Awards

My Beautiful Laundrette was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards in 1987.