My New Home

Edit

2011-01-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

This is such a difficult edit. 80 hours per family, over 5 years. :-/

I may be some time...

Last day filming - Marshal is 16!

2010-09-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

I just had a great trip up to Newcastle for Marshal's birthday party. Imran joined my train at Peterborough and then Altynay joined us at Doncaster. We all stayed in a hotel in North Shields in adjoining rooms which was great. Marshal's party was amazing. It was in the local church hall and his whole family were there dancing and smiling and all proud of him. He did the best dance I've seen him do, to PYT by Michael Jackson. He might say it was mint. It was the very last day of filming and it felt a bit sad. The three of them are close now... will have to find a way to keep us all in touch.

Everyone in Brighton for master interviews

2010-05-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

Imran, Michelle, Altynay, Marshal and their biggest fan Lola on the pier. They were all in Brighton for the master interviews for the series.

Editing has started

2010-01-01T08:13:00.000-08:00

The films take 7 weeks each to edit. The first phase is Jan - March, the there'll be final filming, then we finish cutting the films in the Autumn.

Happy Birthday Imran!

2009-06-01T03:37:00.000-07:00

Altynay May 09

2009-05-28T03:34:00.000-07:00

Just spent half term hanging around with Altynay, rollerskating, walking round the fields and looking after her little sister.

Imran due to wed at 16

2009-04-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

Imran is engaged to his cousin in Pakistan. He says he loves her and seems happier than he has in a long time. He will marry her when he is 16.

frostbite cool

2009-03-19T05:46:00.001-07:00

Marshal and Carl have joined the cheerleading club. Here are some photos from Marshal's solo break-dance yesterday. I can't wait to show the whole world how amazing he is.

On Channel 4 next Autumn

2009-02-06T11:25:00.000-08:00

In Autumn 2010 there will be a three-part series of My New Home - an hour about each child.

Ice skating in York

2008-12-30T04:25:00.000-08:00

We all went ice-skating in York! Apart from a few dramatic falls, it was a success. Marshal and Carl took it to like pros while Marshal's mum and sister Memento slid around in fits of giggles. Imran preferred to watch and listen to his mp3s (naats). He is loving his singing at the moment, even at the expense of cricket which he seems to have gone off since Pakistan, when his cousins kept beating him! Altynay brought her two girl-friends and they looked very glam and cool skating round holding hands. Here's Altynay, Imran and Marshal aged 13, 14 and a half, and 14.

Imran in Pakistan

2008-09-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

Imran with his family in Khewra, Pakistan, where he has spent the Summer.

Three years on

2008-08-27T13:54:00.001-07:00

It is three years since I met Imran, Altynay and Marshal. Imran is just 14 and has changed unbelievably - he is tall and mature looking with a deep voice and a wise look about him. He hasn't conformed to a "British" way or even to the way of the local Pakistani community. Imran is his own man. But he has adapted and found a peaceful way to be himself.

Altynay is an achiever and a very good girlfriend. She is open minded and, although very clever, she is nonjudgemental. She's also great fun and loves her local drama group. I just saw her in a modern version of Wizard of Oz at the Penistone Paramount. She took it all in her stride and the other kids love her. Having a baby sister who will grow up in Britain has cemented her sense of belonging here. And it's almost hard to tell she wasn't born in Yorkshire.

Marshal is having fun, above all else. He is massively popular with the girls, and brilliant at sport. He has grown in height and confidence and has a happy-go-lucky attitude at the moment. I hope he can keep it. He is still immersed in his culture and religion at home, but has a laid back way of making all of it fit his cool image. What a lovely man he's going to be...

Marshal will be 14 this September. When the filming is finished in 2010 he and Imran will be 16, Altynay 15. I think it might be hard to stop there.

Success for Marshal's mum

2008-07-15T12:11:00.000-07:00

Marshal's mum graduated today. She now has a BA Honours degree in Professional Practise Studies and Advice Guidance and Counselling. WOO HOO! His sister Memento is planning to start her degree in Actuary Studies this Autumn.

Sad news

2008-06-30T04:07:00.000-07:00

Imran has had some very sad news. His grandma died this weekend. He will be spending the Summer in Pakistan as planned.

Altynay is a big sister

2008-05-15T12:20:00.001-07:00

Altynay's mum gave birth to a baby girl! Mum, baby and big sister all doing fine.

Two little glamour-girls

2008-03-28T15:07:00.000-07:00

This is a picture of Marshal's little sister Michelle, and my little girl Lola, both aged 5, getting their nails done in the market together!

I took Lola up to Tyneside with me at the weekend and she and Michelle hit it off (again). The girls then danced the night away and cheered the boys on while they did some breakdancing...! Lola's love for Marshal is as strong as ever... and he is the perfect gentleman. Dreams can come true.

A Special Screening in the Corner Shop

2008-02-22T00:03:00.000-08:00

The corner shop near Imran's house is a bit of a hub. The guys who own the shop are big fans of Imran's. They keep an eye on him and reminisce about their own journeys to Britain in the seventies. They have recorded all of My New Home on their big flatscreen digital TV in the shop. People watch clips when they go in for a pint of milk! This week Imran and I were treated to a special community screening of last years film! Imran sat on a stool behind the counter grinning with pride and enjoying the attention and comments on how much he's changed. He has physically grown up this year, and his new height seems to bring much joy to his neighbours. As I watched this surreal scene unfold I thought how strangely modern to be filming someone watching themself in last year's film, digitally recorded on a communal screen...?! Imran, being a teenager, takes it all for granted.

Exciting news

2008-01-18T05:38:00.000-08:00

Altynay's mum is expecting a new baby girl in May!

Imran, meet Santa

2007-12-14T01:34:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I spent the day wandering around with Imran in Peterborough town centre, gazing at cricket bats longingly etc. (yes - i know what to get him...) When we came across Santa's grotto I realised he didn't really know what it was. He was curious, so after a little to and fro between myself and an elf, who relayed Santa's permission to be filmed back to me through a secret side curtain... Imran and I found ourselves in his inner sanctum having a chat about all things Imran. Priceless. But not as good as his first comment on stepping back into the cool night: "Who was that?" I love Imran. He has made my Christmas.

I'm growing my hair!

2007-11-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

It's only long enough to stick the comb in so far, but Marshal's looking cool and his confidence is growing all the time. The family seem so happy at the moment. His sister Memento just passed her driving test and now has her own little car complete with pink furry dice. Little sister Michelle has started primary school and loves it. Marshal's teacher says he is well-loved at his new secondary. My only fear is he'll be too cool to talk to me soon. But maybe his sisters will keep me posted...

My New Home at See Festival

2007-10-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

The second year of My New Home will screen at the See Documentary festival in Brighton this November 17th/18th.

Cool moves and rising above

2007-09-30T03:40:00.000-07:00

I've been to Marshal and Altynay's birthday parties this month. They were both fantastic. Altynay ice-skating like a pro in Doncsater and Marshal doing cool moves on the dancefloor, circled by cheering kids. It's hard to tell they weren't born here now. Altynay has a lovely gaggle of girlfriends, who genuinely love her, even if they are a little innocent about her. She has adapted almost too well, which means her new friends know little about Kyrgyzstan. But Altynay is great fun, and even where she has experienced amazingly stupid jaunts about her eye shape, she refuses to let it get to her, or even interrupt her. In fact she is above it, not oblivious, but with better things to think about. I've found Marshal's family coping in this way too. They pity the ill-educated racist, and choose to ignore it rather than bore themselves by complaining.

Imran's new school uniform

2007-09-14T06:34:00.001-07:00

Good for Imran

2007-08-16T02:43:00.000-07:00

A million people watched My New Home on Monday, the same number that watched Richard and Judy that day. Not bad for a documentary about immigration. There were loads of responses on the website and letters of support, particularly for Imran. I went to see him the next day and read them all out to him and his family. He was delighted. We talked for a long time leaning on the shed. His English is good enough now that he can communicate whatever he wants to me. Next years film is going to be fascinating. That's all I'm saying.

My New Home website

2007-08-01T05:01:00.000-07:00

My husband Dunstan has designed a beautiful website for the series. I'm very excited about it because it will be a great home for all the video and information that doesn't make it into the film. It can be frustrating simplifying things for a TV hour and this will be my opportunity to make the most of my work and the experiences of the kids. I hope they will use it too, as another way to express themselves. Altynay already has some lovely drawings up there.

Kyrgyzstan!

2007-07-20T04:29:00.000-07:00

Wow. Last night I slept in a yurt by a lake and mountains. Altynay thought it was a bit too quiet - they usually go somewhere a bit more lively for their holidays, but the family humoured me, and i loved it! And we're eating amazing food, steamed dumplings called mante and noodle soup. I wasn't so sure about the horse milk, it was too sour for me, but apparently it gets you nicely drunk!

The flat Altynay used to live in with her grandma and auntie and cousins is really nice. It's in a block, but on the ground floor and there's a huge play area outside for all the kids that live there. They stay out playing until dark every day. It looks like a great life for kids and I can see why she misses it. Altynay's grandma is gorgeous and warm and welcomed me with a big cuddle and delicious jam she made herself. The whole family are lovely, all interesting and friendly.

Altynay doesn't really want to be filmed at the moment. I think she feels embarassed and just wants to get on with normal life. So I'm trying to keep out of her way. I want to be able to show people what Kyrgyzstan is like - a million miles from Borat - but I don't want her to be unhappy so I have to be gentle. I genuinely believe that she will look back one day and love the films, but it's impossible to convey that to her now. If she really doesn't want to do it she shouldn't do it. But obviously I hope that by not pushing her I will keep her interest.

New schools, new Headteachers

2007-07-11T04:46:00.000-07:00

Had a bit of a blow. Imran's school is closing down this Summer and he will attend the new city academy in September. Unfortunately the new Headteacher is saying he doesn't want us to film there. After the last Headteacher was so supportive this is a real shame. I feel like school is such a big part of Imran's life. I'm not sure how I can make the film without it. I am hoping they change their minds.

The Headteacher at Marshal's new secondary school loves the project. She has allowed me full access quickly and confidently, which is wonderful. I wish I could understand why people respond so wildly differently.

London Party

2007-06-05T14:38:00.000-07:00

Everybody caught their train, what a miracle. We all met at Channel 4 in the basement cinema and ate piles of crisps. Then we watched the film together. There were lots of laughs, a bit of teasing and two naughty little kids running round down the front. Can't think who brought them along... Anyway everyone liked the film again so we went off to Planet Hollywood in a dead jolly mood. It was bonkers and gave me a headache. But it was imran's birthday and he absolutely loved it, so that's okay. They brought him a cake and put his picture up on the big screen.

The families are getting close to each other. Marshal has brought Imran out of his shell. He gives him a break from his troubles just by accepting him so completely, and they play together like little kids. Poor Altynay gets teased by them just for being a girl (and a beautiful one). She puts up with it very sweetly.

The next morning we all went on the London Eye. There's 3 minutes of video on the My New Home website - I don't think it'll be in the film. It would be a bit odd to see them all together and take you away from the importance of their normal lives.

Showing the families

2007-05-17T05:08:00.000-07:00

The greatest test of all. Will the families like the film? It's easier this year because they know what to expect much better, and I know what they like, or more importantly, what they don't like. But still it was nerve-racking showing them what I've been up to. Overall I'm delighted with their responses. Imran loved it. He seemed to feel he had been really understood by me this year, and he was pleased people would see what he was up against. Marshal was a bit embarrassed, but he could see he looked very cool and that made up for having his haircut on telly! His mum asked me to change something small, which i did, and we were both happy with the result. Altynay found watching herself very tough this year. She has become a teenager basically and hates looking at herself, however gorgeous anyone else thinks she is. She squirmed her way through it and I felt really bad for putting her in this position. But I know deep down that everyone will love her and she will help change attitudes to immigrants in Britain. So I am driven by something she doesn't really understand yet. I was able to change a couple of tiny things for her that made no difference to the film, but cheered her up a lot. It's always odd what people ask you to cut out; nine times out of ten it's something no-one in the world but them would ever notice, like some washing on a line in the background!

What a relief though. I feel like we are all working towards the same end.

Editing the second film

2007-04-02T05:05:00.000-07:00

This is tough. I have so much material and so much to say. And so few minutes to say it in. Last years film must be condensed and included in this years too. I don't know how we're going to do it.

Parents Evenings

2007-03-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

This year I was able to film at parents evenings for all three kids. It's been a fascinating chance to compare them a little, compare the schools and environments they are in and catch up on how much they've changed after two school years in Britain.

Altynay is a star. All her teachers love her. Her English is brilliant. She is very clever and sailing along in all her lessons. Her mum left the parents evening on cloud nine. She really is a special girl and it looks like she'll be able to do anything she wants. I'm so proud of her, and excited for her.

Marshal has also done very well. His reading has come on hugely. He is also extremely popular, probably the best loved kid in school. And he's great at football.

Imran has been given a statement of special educational needs. It means he will get extra support in the classroom and won't be allowed to slip through the educational net. He has settled down a lot in class, and his English is starting to take off now. The best news is that he seems to have finally settled in socially, largely due to his starting a cricket craze in the playground! He's much happier now.

Altynay success

2007-03-02T05:28:00.000-08:00

Altynay was one of just a few pupils in her year group to recieve an award at school today. She was nominated by her teachers for her great work and attitude. She recieved a special school pen and a certificate.

WOW what a result!

2007-01-01T05:55:00.000-08:00

I went to a charity do that Channel 4 invited me to, got a bit drunk and asked the head of the production company (rich man) to buy laptops for the My New Home kids! What a cheeky cow. But he said yes! He got out his cheque book and wrote a cheque there and then! I am so happy. They won't believe their eyes.

Bizarre clash!

2006-12-22T05:31:00.000-08:00

Something really weird happenned to me today. I was filming two different people for different films at the same event on the same day! Marshal was singing in his school choir at the local Christmas fair, and one of the oldest people in Britain was watching him! Ann is 104 and lives nearby, and she is part of my other Channel 4 film 'The Oldest People in the World'. What a day though - i felt I was going mad nipping between them! I introduced them at one point, and I thought the world might implode, but it didn't. So I'm not the centre of the universe after all... just very tired! Bring on the holidays.

Christmassy

2006-12-18T05:37:00.000-08:00

Aaaah. I saw Altynay sing in her school choir tonight, at the beautiful old church in her village. She's got a really nice voice and she looked so sweet, I came over dead soppy. She's a real Yorkshire lass now. It made me think hard about how much it matters where you grow up. What would she be doing tonight if they'd moved to Hackney?

See Festival

2006-11-19T05:53:00.000-08:00

My new Home is showing at SEE: the Brighton Documentary Festival. And Marshal is the poster boy!

cricket and my failings

2006-08-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

My lack of ability to plat cricket is frustrating Imran much more than my lack of ability to speak his language ever did! He has no-one to play with - that's the problem. And I am there, but I can't throw a ball straight. Strange long days are spent with him trying to bowl to his own bat and me standing around filming this spectacle, inbetween attempts to feebly play with him. He is not impressed. And I'm worried about how lonely he is.

holidays

2006-08-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just got back from a lovely trip to see Marshal with my kids. Lola (4) absolutely worships him. She follows him around and he kindly holds her hand and carries her on his shoulders, so she is now obsessed. We went to the beach and they swam in the sea. We had a picnic. Marshal is a lovely lad. He'd do for my daughter any day!

Marshal's got a girlfriend!

2006-07-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

Oh my god he's grown up suddenly! And so is Carl!
And they are very pleased with themselves...

My New Home on Channel 4

2006-06-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my birthday and I'm 30. And the papers are full of great reviews for the film! It was on at 9pm last night and nearly 2 million people watched. Marshal's mum rang me up all excited and said I was a wonderful person! I think seeing it on telly made her finally make up her mind about me. I don't blame her for taking her time to trust me. But I love it now it's here.

Imran's bike

2006-06-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

Got Imran a bike for his birthday. He's over the moon.
I'd like to point out it was from me, and not the production company. Tight eh?

Day Out in York

2006-05-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

Today was fantastic. The press office at Channel 4 had agreed to pay for a trip to York so we could get all the kids together. I wanted the families to meet each other, for moral support and to feel a sense of celebration at completing the first film.
We went to a bar, watched the film again (Altynay watched it, groaning, through her fingers!) and then ran around York with the photographer to get some portraits. Marshal and Imran got on like a house on fire, chasing through the streets with a load of helium balloons. It was great.

First Christmas

2005-12-16T04:22:00.000-08:00

Well, Altynay wants a Nintendo, Marshal wants a playstation and Imran wants a laptop!
I wish I was richer. Their parents can't manage those presents.

Imran at school

2005-11-07T04:25:00.000-08:00

A place has finally been arranged for Imran at a local secondary. His parents are chuffed. They are glad to get him out of the house i think! He's been cooped up too long. Today I went with him for his first day. He was totally wild. I don't know if Imran has ever really been to aschool before, or if it's just so different here, but he can't sit still for a second!

Getting access to schools

2005-10-30T09:20:00.000-08:00

The schools in My New Home are going to be vital. Marshal and Altynay will be at primary school and Imran at secondary. I've filmed in quite a few schools before, and it's usually when they are facing an unusual challenge, rather than just on a normal day. It's tough on teachers because they feel their teaching is being scrutinised, and at a time when the kids are over-excited. I need to show the staff what a low profile i can have.

Meeting Altynay off the plane

2005-10-07T16:20:00.000-07:00

I turned up at Heathrow WAY too early. I couldn't even get my camera out for a couple of hours because i was scared I'd be kicked out before Altynay arrived. I kept looking at the people coming through the double doors, wondering if they were from Kyrgyzstan. I didn't even know what people in Kyrgyzstan looked like. So it was futile. When I spotted a bag with Russian writing on it I started filming, trying hard to look like someone's cousin waiting to record their arrival with a posh domestic camera! I think it worked. Or the CCTV guys were asleep.

Finally Altynay arrived. She walked towards me shyly smiling, wearing a pink furry jacket and pulling her pink wheelie case. I couldn't see her mum. It turned out her mum was hiding and didn't want to be filmed. Getting off a long-haul flight is probably the time anyone would least want to be filmed. But Altynay didn't mind. She smiled her beautiful smile at me and I was deeply frustrated at not being able to communicate with her. She was excited. She wanted to see her new home. So I had to let them go home and sleep.

Meeting Marshal for the first time

2005-09-21T03:56:00.000-07:00

Marshal is living with his mum in temporary accommodation in Tyneside. He has been in Britain since August. I went to their flat with researcher Dave Mackay, who had already done a bit of filming which meant I had already fallen for Marshal from a distance! He was utterly charming. He was watching The Simpsons when I arrived. His mum was cooking chicken and sadza for us. Her toddler Michelle was dancing around in some plastic glitter high-heels. Marshal talked about Michael Owen for a while and then went back to Bart and Lisa. I talked to his mum for hours. She struck me as one of the bravest people I'd ever met, partly for surviving what she had in Zimbabwe, but also for wanting to take part in my film.

Imran's new home

2005-09-16T04:08:00.000-07:00

Imran loves his house! And his street! He points at everything and grins delightedly! He's got a shocking cold, I suppose from the shock of the drop in temperature. It feels warm to me today, but he's wearing a jumper. His mum is fretting over him, understandably. They are both over the moon to be together, There's a fantastic atmosphere in his house. Like there is when a new baby has been born! I tried a bit of urdu but he looked at me like I was mad! Then the neighbour told me he speaks an unusual dialect. So we reverted to hand signals. And drawing pictures of our homes in Pakistan and Brighton. His picture told me so much. The arched windows and the water pump outside the house brought home to me the huge change in environment for him.

The day I met Imran

2005-09-15T03:34:00.000-07:00

Imran is the sweetest little boy in the world! After hours of fretting and pacing at Heathrow (mainly about missing the moment or being thrown out by security!) Imran arrived. I was stood by the barriers with Rehmat chatting about the best ways for him to discipline Imran etc. and filming hours of tape of complete strangers arriving in Britain for a mind-boggling array of apparent reasons. Suddenly a little face I recognised from photos appeared at his mothers elbow, dwarved by their trolley which was piled high with makeshift luggage items. He saw me with my camera and glanced shyly up at his mum for reassurance, then a fantastic smile of amusement at the attention he was getting. I hope he always enjoys it in this simple way. He kissed his new dad respectfully and we went for a coke. He can’t understand a single word of English. Which is very daunting. For him and for me.