Original subtitles

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Would we go back if we could?

Not a care in the world? No future to worry about?

I would, at the drop of an hat.

Every moment, warts and all.

[ Indistinct talking ]

The first time you kissed a boy...

and you wished it were a girl.

The first time you kissed a girl and you wished it were a boy.

Racial tensions. First pubic hair.

Periods and puberty!

Strange facial hair.

Erections and love bites a sex of all kinds.

But it's worth it, you say, at the end of the day,

for a bright, rosy future...

and your take-home pay.

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Up-tempo music plays ]

Right.

I just wanted to talk today because I've --

we've got to make a decision

as to what to do with our Missy here.

Can't keep her with me forever, can I?

We could take her up cemetery bit by bit.

Like in "The Great Escape."

They're digging a tunnel,

and they put dirt down their trousers in bags.

And then they walk about

and let the dirt go down their trouser legs,

and then -- and then stamp it in the ground

so the Germans don't notice.

No. Chup! We're not doing that!

We should find somewhere that she really liked to be,

you know, somewhere where she were happy.

The skip up the road?

RASHID: Sentiment's nice, Razia.

But sooner or later, that skip will go to landfill.

It's not really an appropriate place.

-SIMONE: Nasreen? -Hmm?

You've been quiet. What do you think?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, count me in.

Why not?

Sorry, sorry.

Um...

I've been trying to think about the name

of the part of the brain that begins with "Th."

-I can't. -Thalamus.

I need to go revise this stuff.

She got enough going on in her brain as it is, eh, na?

Here.

What is it?

A good-luck present.

Did you nick it?

No!

God, Nasreen, it's a good-luck gonk for your desk, alright?

A gonk?

Yeah, like they have on "University Challenge."

Hello. Nasreen Bibi Paracha

from Ackley Bridge in Yorkshire, reading medicine.

And this is my lucky gonk.

"Oh, thanks, Sam!

How thoughtful of you."

-NASREEN: Sam! -SAM: Nah, forget it.

I'm just nervous.

You better bring me some luck, 'cause I'm gonna need it.

[ Toy squeaks ]

RASHID: You may now begin.

-[ Toy squeaks ] -[ Clears throat ]

Bro.

Cory?

Cory, it's me.

It's Miss Carter.

CORY: Miss, just go away.

Not until I've spoken to you.

CORY: But, miss.

Look, look who I've brought to see you.

[ Baby babbling ]

CORY: I just want to be on me own, miss.

Just listen to what I've got to say, please.

I-I won't be long, I promise.

You have every right to feel like this.

You do, but...I want you back at school, Cory.

Please, please don't throw this all away --

I know you mean well and that, but...

...I just don't see the point.

It's not as if I were gonna get anywhere, anyway.

For a little while there...

...felt like anything were possible.

MANDY: I just want to know that you've got a plan in place

to get that lad back into school and believing in himself again.

We're not just treading water here, Mandy.

It took us all by surprise, you know.

Let's face it, she was a friend of yours, as well.

And you had no inkling she was a nappy nobler.

A na--

No, Sue, no, I didn't, but, then, neither did you.

I think the best thing this lad can do for himself

is get a proper job, get married, have some kids.

He'll soon forget all about Rosemary West.

Ohh.

You should have been sacked a long time ago

for all this -- all this inappropriate language

and your casual racism.

I am no racist. I voted remain.

I've got a gang of Albanians doing me back patio.

Oh!

We dropped the ball,

and one of our kids is suffering because of it.

I didn't think --

No, no, Sue, you didn't think!

Unfortunately, none of us did.

But we will get him back into school.

You -- You will get him back into school.

Because I am assigning you with the task

of rebuilding that lad's confidence.

And you will do it.

What am I supposed to do?

Your job.

Mr. Evershed, I think, given the circumstances --

Given the circumstances, Sue, I agree with Mandy.

I think you're exactly what that lad needs.

God help him.

[ Buttons clicking ]

[ Sighs ]

According to this, we still need at least £200 for books.

That's even before my accommodation

and equipment list.

[ Sighs ]

We'll just re-mortgage.

No.

I'm not going off to drama school

and leaving you two up to your necks in debt.

You know what? I can't do this.

[ Scoffs ] I can't.

I sat in that exam today with every intention of doing well,

and I ended up writing a load of rubbish.

You don't know that.

-Look, you're tired. -Yeah, I am.

I'm tired of -- of -- of books and revision and exams.

-I just -- -I'm going to make us some tea.

No, Mum, no, no, no, listen, because...

...this is over.

[ Door closes ]

Has she just given up on university?

I think maybe she need to be at home for a while, that's all.

You know, she under a lot of pressure.

You're packing it in, just like that?

You can't.

I can and I have.

Have you told Sam?

She'll be happy that I'm not going to uni.

I won't be going anywhere, either,

if I can't find the money.

Well, we could raise the money.

We could do, like, a crowdfunder.

Feels like charity.

That's what it is. I've got it!

That's what you need!

You need to do what Peter Kay did.

You know, like, when he did his "Buy Me Mum a Bungalow" tour.

Well, we could do a "Send a Drag to Drama School" tour.

We could!

Any Pakistanis in the house? It's a given, innit?

I mean, at least two families and some cousins in the attic.

[ Laughs ]

Any English-heritage girls on social care orders

and feeling a bit vulnerable in the house?

Not in the Pakistani house, obviously.

God forbid! Don't want to go there, do we?

No, not even if you run out of fags.

Best nip to the shop,

which is probably run by a Pakistani, too,

so don't go there, either.

Stay at home, lock your doors, order in.

[ Laughs ]

I've just been informed that your minibuses

are outside waiting to take you home,

as are the Immigration Enforcement vans,

so make sure you get in the right one!

[ Laughs ]

-Thank you! -[ Feedback squeals ]

20 quid!

We agreed on 100.

That were before they saw the act.

Why didn't they just pay me in bloody rupees

and really insult me?

Maybe jokes about grooming wasn't right for this audience.

It's black comedy.

The best way to confront issues facing our community

is to hit them head-on!

Yeah, well, we'll see you at home, son.

NAVEED: I've just got to face it.

It's not going to happen, not this way, anyway.

Right, stop! Stop!

Look around. What do you see?

-[ Indistinct conversations ] -NAVEED: Pakistanis?

NASREEN: Yes.

But what do they all have in common?

Oppressive home lives, conflict of culture,

uh, youth disenfranchisement.

Yeah, alright, smartass, leave the act on the stage.

I don't know.

You're not looking, are you?

What do they all have in common?

What do your parents have? What does my mum have?

Allah?

Ambition.

They're all from villages in the middle of nowhere.

Gave up everything they knew were safe.

Coming here would have been a massive leap of faith.

They had nothing, knew nothing, but they didn't care.

What you saying?

I'm saying they weren't worried about where they were sleeping.

They'd sleep on the floor.

They just did it.

Sometimes you just can't be prepared.

You're going.

-Where? -Manchester.

-You're gonna do this course. -I can't, Nas.

One of us is gonna get what we want.

And I-I'm not gonna get the grades.

I have blown it, but you haven't, Naveed,

and I'm not gonna let you --

Great speech, Nas, but I still can't afford it.

You can, because I'm coming with you.

NAVEED: What?

I might not be going to Oxford,

but I'm definitely not staying here.

We'll both take the leap of faith.

We'll flat-share.

I'll work and feed you and pay most of the rent and...

Sam?

Have lesbian girlfriend, will travel.

Live together?

Last year, you were gonna marry me.

[ Laughs ]

Go on. Don't get emotional.

Hold back the tears.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

God, I am so hungry.

How did it go?

Don't know. Don't care.

But the pressure is off, and I feel free!

You've got to knock the energy drinks on the head, man.

Listen, I'm not gonna go to Oxford.

I'm gonna move to Manchester with Naveed,

and I want you to come with me.

And I know that we haven't spoken about any of this.

But let's be honest,

you're not gonna stay in that dump forever, are you?

So live with us. Live with me.

Just say yes.

You just told her the good news?

-Yeah. -What do you think about this?

Yeah, the more, the merrier.

-[ Squeals ] -Oh!

Exam went well, then?

You seemed much happier today, I noticed.

Yeah, that's because I decided

I'm moving to Manchester with Naveed.

What?

NASREEN: He needs a flatmate, and I need to get away.

I've got some, uh, last-minute cramming to do

before the next exam.

I'll meet you by the gates later.

Don't look at me like that.

When were you going to tell me about this?

I just did.

Why Manchester?

I can't stay at home, Mum.

We should talk about this.

You been through a lot lately.

Yeah, I know what I've been through.

RASHID: Nasreen, you were so excited

when you came back from Oxford.

You could see the possibilities.

Not anymore.

[ Horn honks ]

[ Gearshift clicks ]

Oi, Casanova!

-Get in! -What do you want?

Nothing you've got to offer, so don't go getting any ideas.

'Cause you'd be punchin' above your weight with me, son.

Get in. I'll give you a lift.

So, if you could just pop in, maybe show your face about.

At least then they'll think I've given you a bit of motivation.

You could just as easily cry into an exam paper

as you could a pillow.

Is that all you're buying?

You can't live off that, man.

Go on, then.

MARTIN: Come on, guys! It's the last day of exams!

You can do it!

Revision session's upstairs.

MARTIN: I've got every faith in you!

Soft drinks are on me afterwards, yeah!

Miss, my dad's waiting for you in the classroom.

Oh, thank you, Zain.

Cory.

MARTIN: Uh, something I need to know about?

SPUD: I've just got to pick the right moment.

One-on-one.

When she's comfortable, obviously.

Yeah. Yeah, that's important.

She's, um -- She's got to be relaxed.

-Last exam today? -Yeah.

You must be in a good mood, then.

-Yeah, I am. -RUKHSANA: Good.

Spud's your half sister.

Your dad had a one-night stand

in his old mattress factory with her mam.

[ Laughs ]

This big freak?

Her dad could be anyone.

Tell her the truth.

Look, can we, uh, go somewhere a bit quieter?

Is that my sister?

Yeah.

Yes, she is.

I hate you!

RIZ: Alya, wait.

Look, I'm sorry.

SUE: I've told Mr. Younis that your culinary talents

are wasted waiting on tables.

Miss?

So he's gonna give you a trial.

You're to cook him a three-course meal.

Zain tells me you're a better cook than his mother.

That stays in this room.

If you prove to be as good as they say...

you'll be cooking in the restaurant.

Miss, you know the last time I-I did this?

Well, I messed up and served a takeaway instead.

Did you think it was any good?

No, had too much cumin in it.

Right, then.

-Right, then, what? -Right, then.

Don't mess up.

That was absolutely delicious.

Yeah, I am very impressed, Cory. Well done.

So, do you want the job?

Yeah.

ZAIN SR.: Well done.

What do you want?

What's your problem?

I'm your mother.

And you speak to me like I'm bloody nothing,

like I've done something wrong.

I know, but I didn't mean it like that.

Didn't sound like that to me.

I'm just trying to help you.

I know. I know.

But I-I just feel like this is something I have to do.

I didn't know nothing about this,

so what do you want me to do, Nasreen?

I want you to try and understand.

So, it is with a degree of reluctance and trepidation

that my mother has actually agreed to join us.

-Yay! -Whoo!

Okay, I said I'll come. Let's go.

Get off the car. Come on.

KANEEZ: I'm not staying out long.

Are you okay, Naveed?

[ Engine starts ]

It's all fully equipped. New cupboards.

Yeah, you can stock it up with every spice

known to Asian woman, not that I can cook.

Well, I know we're gonna be living together,

but I will not be doing the cooking.

Um, we used to have a rota in my student days.

[ Indistinct conversations in distance ]

NASREEN: What is it, Mum?

All of this.

Why you want to live like this?

Is this the life you want,

everyone live on top of each other?

I work hard to get away from this.

It's much more than just this, Mum.

[ Up-tempo music plays ]

Yeah!

[ Speaking indistinctly ]

I'm okay. I'm okay.

[ Speaking indistinctly ]

[ Laughs ]

I think there more lesbian here than in Hebden Bridge.

[ Laughs ] Yeah, Mum,

Hebden Bridge is just like our weekend retreat.

-I need the loo. -Right.

Do you want me to come with you?

I not invalid.

-NASREEN: Okay. -[ Laughs ]

Do you think she'll be okay?

She just wants to know that you'll be happy, yeah?

-Oh, Mrs. Paracha. -Oh. Ah.

She's gonna be fine, you know.

I can see that.

I'll look after her.

I know you will, puttar.

I just worry that this not what she really want.

She used to want more.

What more could you want than this?

It is not like this every day, is it?

Is it?

I come and bloody live here myself if it is!

Sometimes...

...I maybe want too much for you.

You needed this, you know, not just the gay thing.

Back home, so many endings for you.

I can see why you think this can make you happy.

Well, this can make me happy, Mum.

Just as long as you're happy for me...

Okay.

You enjoy this life if -- if this is what you want.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

You did incredibly well under the circumstances.

If you re-sit next year --

No. No, no, no, no.

I'm going to Manchester with Naveed, miss.

I gave it my best shot, but it obviously wasn't meant to be.

So...

Well?

Didn't get them.

Aw, mate.

No, after this year, I mean, what do you expect?

Come on. What about you?

Uh, more than I deserve. Let's see.

Biology, B. English, C. Psychology, C.

Yay.

C, C, and a merit in sports.

And, uh, what about golden girl over there?

RIZ: What do you expect? Straight A's.

You, uh, coming out tonight to celebrate our results?

Yeah. Yeah, I wouldn't miss it.

-Yeah? -[ Chuckles ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

There he is, Fifty Shades of Grease!

Take me, Cory, take me!

Ignore them.

Um, we're off to Ackley Nites later...

if you fancy joining us.

Uh...

Probably not.

Alright, then.

So, guys -- well -- well, everyone...

...it's over.

And who'd have thought, given how we started,

we'd all be here now together?

'Cause we didn't, did we? And we wouldn't back then.

Back then when -- when Neil was actually still sweet

or the last time Jake said something sensible.

[ Laughter ]

Oh, we've all come so far.

Like, sat 'round this table together as friends.

I mean, some of us have known each other since we were babies.

Haven't we?

And now this is probably the last time

that we're all gonna be together.

There hasn't been one day

where I haven't laughed with at least one of yous.

Or at one of you.

[ Laughter ]

[ Voice breaking ] But what we have had has been amazing.

I'm gonna miss you all so much.

So let's all raise one of these lovely non-alcoholic beverages.

[ Laughter ]

To us.

-ALL: To us! -[ Glasses clinking ]

Your sister would like to have a word with you outside.

At your convenience.

For God's sake!

Thank you for coming to meet me.

What do you want?

SPUD: You might not like what I have to say.

But, um, sometimes you need to hear these things.

I've heard enough already.

SPUD: He were young.

My mam had firm breasts.

He were putty in her hands.

Really? Too much information.

-RIZ: Alright, our Spud. -SPUD: Alright, our Riz.

Just telling our Alya not to blame your dad.

Most blokes would've run a mile.

But he's taken responsibility.

Stepped up.

-Not financially. -'Cause he's skint.

SPUD: But that's not what this was about.

When I started this quest, I-I was hoping to meet a man,

a good man, and I have.

Our dad, for all his faults, is a good man.

Thank you for listening.

[ Dance music playing ]

-Hey. -Ooh.

Just think, when we're in Manchester,

we'll be right by the clubs in town.

Whoo!

[ Laughs ]

Can I ask you summat, please?

You can slur at me.

Why did you want me back?

Why did you wanna come back? You came to me, remember?

Did I?

Yeah, um, you said it was over, and then you came back to me.

So why did you take me back?

Because I love you.

You know that.

Yeah. Yeah, I do.

Come here.

How many have you had?

[ Indistinct talking ]

NAVEED: Cory! Hang on!

Walk you home?

Thought you were going out.

Look, sorry I didn't come to see you.

-I-I were meant to, but -- -Yeah.

Surprised you didn't want to see Cory Wilson get his comeuppance.

No.

Yeah, sure.

Sure you didn't feel a little bit superior when you found out?

It wasn't like that.

-She took advantage of you. -Yeah, oh.

-Do me a favor. -Yeah.

It were offered to me on a plate, and I took it.

You don't have to put a front on with me.

I enjoyed every single second of it, and so did she.

Yeah, and ju-- and just a few more months,

and none of this would have mattered.

I'd have been out of school.

She'd have left her husband, and we'd have been together.

That were never going to happen.

[ Bike clatters ]

Yeah, you would say that, wouldn't you?

Admit it, Naveed, you are happy that I am miserable.

I'm just bloody angry for you.

You're my best mate, and I can see you're hurting.

Oh, you see it, can you?!

Can you see it, Naveed?

Tell me what you can see, because I would love to know!

Is it a loser?! Yeah, is that what you can see?!

Go on!

Answer me!

I blew it!

[ Voice breaking ] Alright?

I don't understand...

...why I feel so bad about it.

It felt real.

No, I thought she -- she...

How could I be so stupid?

Watchin' you lot tonight...

...I-I felt...

...nothing.

And I am being left behind.

[ Sobbing ]

Oh.

None of this is your fault.

None of it.

Do you hear me? Eh?

You're not gonna be left behind.

Alright?

[ Sobbing continues ]

[ Keys jingle, clatter ]

[ Light switch clicks ]

[ Scoffs ]

[ Sighs ]

Is this you being happy?

Would you believe me if I said yes?

No.

[ Sniffles ]

Go on, then.

I'm waiting for your pearls of wisdom.

No, no wisdom from me.

Not this time.

You've always got something to say.

KANEEZ: I can't make you be honest with yourself, puttar.

You say you know what's best for you.

I can't tell you that you're wrong.

[ Sobbing ]

-Ow, ow. -[ Clang ]

How are you feeling?

NASREEN: Bit of a headache, but, um...

I'm sorry.

Shh.

I'm going to the Lidl, get some shopping.

Okay, I'll, um -- I'll, um, stick some clothes on.

No, no, no, stay.

You sleep.

Okay.

[ Door opens ]

[ Car alarm chirps, engine starts ]

[ Gearshift clicks ]

I-I don't want to waste your time.

But do you remember my daughter?

Yes, I --

You sent her this letter offering her a place, eh.

And you say that she make an exceptional impression

on the college, you know, in the interview and exam.

Yeah, she did indeed, but we were --

And it's very good, you know.

I have a friend who went to the University of Lahore,

and he say that this is a great start.

Yeah, we were very impressed,

but the criteria here at Oxford --

Alright, what it is, right,

is that she failed a grade to get in this place,

but only just.

She got a A, A, B.

Yes, we've just been made aware of that.

She get this even after being in a very serious accident.

I thought I was going to lose her.

Her best friend die.

And then -- And then she just give up on everything,

school, life, her future.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. This is stupid.

I don't know what you must think of me.

I'm sorry to wasting your time.

But, um, she didn't make grade, no.

I just thought --

I'm sorry, Mrs. Paracha.

You know, before I come here today...

if I'm being honest, I didn't want her to come.

I never understood what all her excitement about this place was.

Yeah, I pretend and all that for her.

But, uh -- But it were a lie.

And then I watch her going through all that pain

since the accident, you know.

And I just want to keep her with me at home

so I can look at her every day.

And now today, I-I'm here and I'm walking 'round

and I'm seeing the students and the big buildings.

And I'm so proud of my daughter, that she won a place here.

My little girl, she impress you people.

I think --

I-I know she still want all this, huh?

It's all she ever wanted.

And she deserve it because of everything she been through.

But I can't make you see that.

I can't make you feel the pain and the loss.

But she deserve to be here more than anyone.

Kaneez Paracha.

No, I know it has to be 24 hours.

But this is not like her, and she's not an experienced driver.

[ Door opens ]

It's alright, Officer. She just walked in.

-[ Door closes ] -Thank you so much.

-What's bloody happen now? -NASREEN: You disappeared.

-Where have you been? -We've been worried.

Oh, I knew where I was.

I thought you was only going to Lidl.

-SIMONE: Cup of tea, Kaneez? -Oh, yeah.

NASREEN: Mum, where have you been?

-Oxford. -Lidl in Oxford?

No, Oxford University, Oxford.

I went to talk about you.

Why?

Because I thought you deserve a chance.

What? Mum. No, no, no, no.

-You had no right to do that. -I don't care.

I'm your mother, and I will go anywhere, see anybody,

and say anything to see you happy.

Us lot, we been through a lot this year.

We lost Missy.

She was an energy that were part of us all.

And I think something go out in all of us

when Missy died, eh, na?

It make us wonder, what's the bloody point.

It confuse me.

Made me scared.

So I had to go and do something, you know, to take control again.

NASREEN: There's no point.

It's too late.

No, love.

They listened to me, and they give me your place back.

N-No, no, no, Mum.

Naveed needs me in Manchester and Sam.

Shut up thinking about other bloody people!

Why you always looking for excuse?

First Missy, now Naveed.

No, this is about you.

And you need to go.

I just seen that place.

And you need to go and start your life again.

Mum.

It's okay.

It's okay to go now.

Huh?

We will still be here for you.

We will, but you have to take your chance now, Nasreen.

So please stop dithering about.

Take it, will you?

That's incredible.

I mean, only your mum could have done this, you know,

getting your place back at Oxford.

I'm so sorry, Naveed.

I have to do this.

I'm gutted.

But, hey, you're going, and that's the most important thing.

Asian ambition, remember?

[ Chuckles ]

And look, I'm still going to drama school.

I'll sleep in a tent if I have to.

Oh, don't be silly.

NAVEED: Mum, Nasreen's going to Oxford after all.

Your mother must be very proud.

She is. Thank you.

But what about the flat?

Oh, I'll sort something out.

You'll never guess what Mrs. Paracha did...today.

Car boot sale?

They're for you.

I don't think I could carry them off as well as you, Mum.

[ Sadia chuckles ]

I won't lie.

I never really wanted any of this for you.

[ Sighs ] But...

...I was wrong.

Wrong, stupid, and stubborn.

It doesn't matter, Mum.

No, it does to you.

So you go to Manchester.

And you do your course.

Yet again you have taken me by surprise, Cory.

Are you absolutely sure this is what you want, Cory?

And don't think for one second that I'm not delighted,

'cause I assure you I am.

Yes, miss.

I-I'd like to retake Year 13.

MARTIN: And what about you, Mrs. Carp?

You got him the job, after all.

Well, after he passes his A levels,

there'll be even better courses he can do

and even better jobs.

Right, well, I guess we'll see you back here, then.

Thank you, miss.

Are you getting sentimental in your old age, Sue?

[ Door slams ]

[ Laughs ]

Yeah, I think we might have

a more understanding Sue Carp from now on.

Oh, I hope not.

That would make life really boring.

NAVEED: Well?

Start back next term.

Is this where we're supposed to hug it out, mate?

Oh, could you be any more cynical?

[ Chuckles ] Come here.

SADIQ: Hey, watch the paintwork, will you?

Right, are we ready? I want to set off early.

Mum's driving me.

What?

[ Car door closes ]

I thought I'd get a chance to explain things to you.

[ Sighs ]

SADIQ: Oh, what now?

I called her.

What? Why?

I'm leaving, and you have a daughter to get to know.

I can't say that I like what you've done.

But she pointed something out to me that I forgot about you.

You're a good man.

There's a girl over there.

She needs the same love and advice that you gave me.

She really needs it.

* Oh, heaven help us now *

* Sometimes I want to slow things down *

* And I wish *

* That I didn't feel like we're running out of time *

* And life has been so very kind *

* Everything *

* Has its price *

* It's hard *

* To get it right *

* But I'll keep on trying *

* I can be the one who goes the extra mile *

* I can be the one who takes away your doubt *

* I can be the one who always brings a smile *

* So hold me now *

We can go now, Missy, just like you said.

Same time.

Same place. Same day.

* Oh, I *

* I can feel a change *

* I want things to stay the same *

* No, nothing ever waits *

* But I won't get left behind *

* And I'll be the one who goes the extra mile *

* I can be the one who takes away your doubt *

* Oh, neither of us needs to feel alone *

* So hold me now *

* I can be the one who's there when no one cares *

* And I'll be the one who's there when nothing's fair *

* And I'll be the one who goes the extra mile *

* So hold me now *

There you go.

Thanks.

-You got ticket? -Yeah.

Money?

I got my card and the cash that you gave me.

-Kebab? -Yeah.

That's it. You got everything.

Yeah, everything, Mum.

Okay.

[ Sobbing ]

Khuda Hafiz.

Mum!

[ Sobbing ]

[ Up-tempo music plays ]