Setting

Time period

The film East is East (1999) directed by Damien O'Donnell takes place in 1971. The Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 is mentioned in the film. George listens to the radio giving the latest updates on the hostilities and worries about his family who lives close to the eastern border with India. Ella interprets this as a hint that he wants to bring his first wife to England, which George enjoys threatening her with, from time to time. However, George also appears genuinely worried about the ongoing war, which also fuels his racism against Indians. 

The Indo-Pakistani war lasted 13 days, from 3rd of December 1971 to 16th of December 1971. It was part of the larger Bangladesh Liberation War. India won the Indo-Pakistani war, and Pakistan suffered significant loss of human life, as well as financial and territory losses. The magnitude of the loss was not easily accepted by Pakistani people, leading to massive street protests in Pakistan. During the following year, a series of major reforms were carried out by the Pakistani...