Dirty Pretty Things 2003
Directed by
Stephen Frears
Made by
Miramax Films
Plot Summary
Okwe, a talented doctor from his unnamed home country, found himself forced to flee after being falsely accused of his wife’s murder. Settling in the United Kingdom as an undocumented immigrant, he struggles to survive by driving a cab during the day and working the night shift at a hotel filled with fellow immigrants, both documented and undocumented. Every day, he faces the weight of his circumstances, often providing medical care for his fellow cab drivers suffering from various ailments, thanks to the antibiotics his friend Guo Yi, who works at a hospital mortuary, manages to provide.
Things take a dark turn when Juliette, a sex worker who often operates at the hotel, alerts Okwe to a blocked toilet. To his horror, he discovers a human heart in the toilet. The hotel manager, Juan, runs a sinister operation wherein immigrants trade kidneys for fake passports. Once Juan learns about Okwe’s medical background, he attempts to force him into his illegal business as a surgeon. However, Okwe is resolute and refuses to participate.
Amidst this turmoil, Senay, a Turkish Muslim seeking asylum, also works as a cleaner at the hotel. Her immigration situation permits her stay in the UK as long as she doesn’t have a job on record, making the hotel an ideal cover for her. Senay offers Okwe a place to rest on her sofa, adhering to her conservative cultural values that prohibit unmarried men and women from sharing the same living space. When Immigration Services come to investigate the hotel, Okwe cleverly diverts their attention away from her.
With job opportunities dwindling, Senay finds work in a sweatshop, but her precarious situation worsens when the officials raid the establishment in search of undocumented workers. The manager, however, allows her to keep her job on the condition that she complies with his lewd demands. Initially, she submits to his advances but later defiantly bites him out of resistance. While searching for a safe space, Okwe helps her find refuge at the hospital mortuary, even as she contemplates accepting Juan’s offer to enter the organ trade to raise money for her journey to America.
In a desperate act, Senay offers her kidney to Juan for a passport. He accepts, but not without demanding to take her virginity first. After receiving a morning-after pill from Juliette, Senay reveals her plan to Okwe, who reluctantly agrees to operate on Juan to protect her. With a devious scheme in place, Okwe and Senay manage to incapacitate Juan, remove one of his kidneys, and sell it to his contact.
With their new identities secured, Okwe dreams of reuniting with his young daughter back in Nigeria while Senay envisions a fresh start in New York. At Stansted Airport, as they are about to part ways, they silently convey their feelings by mouthing “I love you.” As Senay boards her flight, she gives Okwe her cousin’s address in New York before he makes a long-distance call to his daughter, sharing the joyous news that he is finally coming home.
Timeline
Okwe's Escape
Okwe, a talented doctor, is falsely accused of his wife's murder, which forces him to flee his unnamed home country. He finds refuge in the United Kingdom, but as an undocumented immigrant, he struggles to survive.
Life in the UK
Settling in the UK, Okwe drives a cab during the day and works at a hotel at night. The hotel is filled with fellow immigrants, where he provides medical care for his peers using antibiotics supplied by his friend Guo Yi.
The Sinister Discovery
One day, Juliette, a sex worker in the hotel, alerts Okwe to a blocked toilet. Upon investigation, Okwe is horrified to find a human heart, which uncovers the hotel's dark operation where immigrants are exploited for organ trade.
Juan's Threat
Juan, the hotel manager, learns about Okwe’s medical skills and pressures him to join his illegal organ trafficking business as a surgeon. Okwe adamantly refuses, determined not to be a part of the sinister scheme.
Senay's Situation
Senay, a Turkish Muslim seeking asylum, works as a cleaner at the hotel. Because her immigration status requires her to remain off the record, she offers Okwe a place to stay, despite their cultural constraints.
Immigration Services Arrival
During an investigation by Immigration Services into the hotel, Okwe smartly diverts their attention away from Senay, ensuring her continued safety. This act of bravery solidifies their bond further.
Senay's Precarious Job
Senay manages to find work in a sweatshop, but her situation intensifies when officials raid the place looking for undocumented workers. Despite the dire conditions, she begrudgingly complies with her manager’s unwanted advances.
Resistance and Refuge
After submitting to her manager's advances, Senay defiantly bites him and seeks refuge at the hospital mortuary, turning to Okwe for support. Together, they navigate the risk and desperation surrounding their lives.
The Kidney Proposal
In a desperate bid to secure her passage to America, Senay offers her kidney to Juan in exchange for a passport. However, he demands a heinous price, insisting she must first comply with his crude desires.
The Reluctant Operation
Despite his reservations, Okwe agrees to operate on Juan to protect Senay and prevent her from facing further exploitation. The pair devise a plan to incapacitate Juan and execute the dangerous operation.
Successful Scheme
Okwe and Senay successfully carry out the operation, extracting one of Juan's kidneys. They sell it to his contact, finally securing their new identities and plans for a fresh start.
Dreams of Reunification
With their new identities, Okwe dreams of reuniting with his daughter in Nigeria, looking forward to life free from fear. Senay envisions a hopeful beginning in New York, motivating her desperate actions.
Emotional Farewell
At Stansted Airport, Okwe and Senay share a poignant goodbye, silently expressing their feelings with a mutual 'I love you'. Their connection deepens as they prepare to part ways for their individual journeys.
A Long-Distance Call
As Senay boards her flight, she gives Okwe her cousin’s address in New York. Okwe, filled with hope and anticipation, makes a long-distance call to his daughter to share the great news of his impending return.
Characters
Okwe (Chiwetel Ejiofor)
Okwe is a resourceful and resilient doctor who becomes an undocumented immigrant in the UK. Haunted by his past, he struggles to survive while providing medical help to those around him. His moral fortitude drives him to resist participating in unethical practices, showcasing his character's strength and determination.
Senay (Sophie Okonedo)
Senay is a Turkish Muslim woman seeking asylum, embodying both vulnerability and strength. Her cultural values shape her decisions, and she exhibits defiance against exploitation despite the threats she faces. Senay's relationship with Okwe reveals her compassionate and brave nature as she navigates her precarious situation.
Juliette (Audrey Tautou)
Juliette is a complex character who operates as a sex worker in the hotel. Her connection with Okwe reveals a deeper sense of loyalty and camaraderie among immigrants. While she navigates her dangerous lifestyle, she also serves as a catalyst for significant plot developments.
Setting
Time period
The film does not specify a particular time period but explores contemporary issues faced by immigrants. It reflects the ongoing struggles and challenges related to immigration, legality, and survival, highlighting socio-economic factors relevant to modern society.
Location
United Kingdom, Hospital Mortuary, Sweatshop
The story takes place primarily in the United Kingdom, a country known for its diverse immigrant communities. Key locations include a hotel where various undocumented immigrants reside and a hospital mortuary where Okwe is provided with medical supplies. The sweatshop represents the dark underbelly of labor exploitation faced by immigrants seeking better lives.
Themes
⚖️
Justice
The theme of justice resonates throughout the film as Okwe fights against exploitation and corruption. Faced with moral dilemmas, he strives to protect himself and his fellow immigrants from a predatory system. The narrative underscores the need for fairness and integrity in an unjust world.
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Sacrifice
Sacrifice is a central theme as characters face tough choices for survival. Senay's willingness to offer her kidney symbolizes both desperation and the lengths to which individuals will go for hope and a better future. The bond between Okwe and Senay illustrates personal sacrifices made for love and friendship.
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Migration
Migration is a poignant theme as the film portrays the struggles of undocumented immigrants. Okwe and Senay navigate a treacherous landscape fraught with danger, looking for safety and opportunity. Their journeys highlight the realities of seeking asylum and the risks involved in pursuing dreams.
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