Acclaimed British Asian actress Manjinder Virk visits Tower Hamlets College

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Photograph and press release by THC students Chloe Stubbings and Omari Okwulu

This week Tower Hamlets College was host to Channel 4 'Britz' actress, who led a workshop and debate with A Level Media students.

Manjinder Virk, an established British Asian actress, BIFA nominee (Best Actress for The Arbor) and writer, visited the College to discuss the roles she has played and answer questions from A Level Media studies students about topics relating to identity, recent UK Summer riots and the question of Freedom of Speech.

Having played a British Muslim medical student in BAFTA award winning drama 'Britz' (October 2007), her character embarks on a journey which eventually ends with her choosing to become a suicide bomber – just to get her 'voice' and views heard. Dramatic turning points include a control order forced upon her best friend Sabia which results in a sad ending for Sabia and the drama follows Nasima's journey and how she comes to make some drastic decisions.

Manjinder comments that: "I've always been drawn to characters who have something to say."

She is the first British Asian actress to be nominated for a BIFA (British Independent Film Awards) after her recent role in a new film 'Arbor' due to be released on TV later this year.

Manjinder Virk, also spoke about her success in the TV drama 'Bradford Riots' which focused on her character having to deal with the effects the Riots had on her and her family within the community.

Manjinder then spoke to students who all participated in a debate on whether 'freedom of speech should be kept or abolished'. She listened as the A Level Media studies students debated issues such as the violence caused by freedom of speech which connected to social networking sites and the UK riots in summer 2011 and the rights of people to be able to freely communicate online.

The actress told students: "At 20 you want to change the world, make a difference, everything means so much to you.
She explained how having a child had changed her views slightly, in that she believes people should still take risks but you understand more about the consequences.

The A Level Media students explained the benefits of studying the subject as it allowed them to explore broad contemporary issues and debates in the media such as stars and celebrity culture, the representation of children, Islamophobia in the UK, social networking sites and the music industry. The media students particularly enjoy making films, TV programmes, websites and music videos as part of their coursework.
 
Lukas Tarnauskas, 17, from Newham, who is studying a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Animation, said: “It was fascinating to hear Manjinder’s view points on Islamophobia such as the fear of a stereotypical Muslim to a British citizen, mainly because most Muslims wouldn’t talk about themselves that freely and openly.”
 
Sultana Khanam, 18, from Canning Town, is studying A Level Media Studies. She said: “During the debate, there was one argument which I felt strongly about where we have to be the bigger and better person as two wrongs do not make a right.”
 
Manjinder also tweeted “Great to debate the freedom of speech with the kids of east London today #towerhamletscollege” (18th October 2011, from Twitter).