And as a first-generation Asian-American, the expectation to succeed in this new land only made the burden heavier. Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times 24 Sep 1959: B7. As I launched into the profession of television journalism, the fear of failure and inadequacy took center stage. Another major cultural influence is that Hong Kong was a British colony from 1842 until the handover back to China in 1997. Territory: UK. Passport to Shame, also known as Room 43, is a 1958 British drama film directed by Alvin Rakoff, written by Patrick Alexander and starring Diana Dors and Herbert Lom. When it comes to Asian people, our lives, families, and cultures revolve around some aspect of shame. This article related to a British film of the 1950s is a stub. Passport to Shame or Room 43 as it is also known is a surprisingly gritty drama around the prostitution trade in London. Asian shame and honor shun the outward display of emotions, since that would be seen as losing face by showing your true self. Herbert Lom and Eddie Constantine both perform favorably and the soundtrack is fire. I thought I had lost the meaning of life because I had lost the honor of my family. Country: UK. I had lost more than a marriage. My parents wanted a better opportunity for us as neither of them had much of an education. This meant my own early identity and roots were a confluence of both British and Chinese influences. Nicolas Roeg, director of Don't Look Now and The Man Who Fell to Earth was the camera operator. $17.42. By college, this distortion took the form of one-night stands, masturbation, and if I was in a relationship, they were short-term and primarily sexual in nature. Director: Alvin Rakoff. In addition, upholding honor among our culture is paramount. Free shipping. America is often romanticized as a destination for immigrants. Running time: 86 minutes. A passport is a travel document, usually issued by a country's government to its citizens, that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder primarily for the purpose of international travel. It was also the first time I experienced so many bewildering emotions: fear, inadequacy, and culture shock. Now streaming blockbuster movies, epic originals, and addictive series at $14.99/month. A superior sexploitation thriller showcasing fiery performances from both Herbert Lom (as a sinister pimp) and Diana Dors (as one of his workers), Passport to Shame was the feature directorial debut for BAFTA-nominated Alvin Rakoff. During my young adult years, I confused sex with love. Anything less would be seen as dishonorable or a loss of “face.”. Films similar to or like Passport to Shame. When I stepped into the American world of education, career, or relationships, I felt the weight of my culture following me. item 2 Passport to Shame - DVD Region 2 Free Shipping! As a young child growing up in a home with language and cultural barriers to connect with our parents, I sought solace in activities and objects. So even before setting foot in America, I was ethnically Chinese but legally British. You learn honor early on from your parents and that everything we do is predicated on bringing honor to our families: our grades, our achievements, our careers, and our relationships. | Sam also speaks on Asian cultural issues. Sam Louie is a therapist in Seattle who specializes in multicultural issues and sexual compulsivity. This meant more than 150 years of British influence in spheres such as politics, fashion, architecture, and language. Sex was anything sexually stimulating. A taxi driver rescues his girl from the white slave business. A superior sexploitation thriller showcasing fiery performances from both Herbert Lom (as a sinister pimp) and Diana Dors (as one of his workers), Passport to Shame was the feature directorial debut for BAFTA-nominated Alvin Rakoff. Free shipping. For more information, please go to his speaking website. Eventually, through my own time in therapy, I emerged with a new lens through which to see life. Genre: Drama. Connoisseurs of the bizarre may relish some of the production's most ambitious moments. Psychology Today © 2021 Sussex Publishers, LLC. Furthermore, as an Asian-American male, I was also fighting stereotypes that we were nerdy and sexually undesirable, to say the least. My parents were part of the dominant culture in Hong Kong. It looks to have exploitation facets for Yank dualer chances and its “X” certificate in England should also help at the boxoffice. Reviews, interviews and features from the international film magazine. We let you watch movies online without having to register or … This cool British poster was made to promote Passport To Shame, a vice scare flick, a cautionary tale for women about how easy it is to end up a hooker.A number of such films were made back in the day. Review of film Volume 26, No.302, March 1959, page 35 Monthly Film Bulletin, "BFI | Film & TV Database | PASSPORT TO SHAME (1958)", "A Tale of Two Blondes: Diana Dors and Belinda Lee", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Passport_to_Shame&oldid=1007155586, Films about prostitution in the United Kingdom, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 16 February 2021, at 18:59. How would that impact our sense of identity and shape how others viewed us and how we saw ourselves? I felt like a failure in the eyes of my immediate family, my grandparents, my deceased ancestors, and the Asian community at large. By the age of 30, my parents had decided to set aside their collective desires of the family. British melodrama about a cabbie befriending a girl caught up in the white slave trade. Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today. Melodrama, starring Eddie Constantine and Diana Dors. Directed by Alvin Rakoff UK 1958 A superior sexploitation thriller showcasing fiery performances from both Herbert Lom (as a sinister pimp) and Diana Dors (as one of his workers), Passport to Shame was the feature directorial debut for BAFTA-nominated Alvin Rakoff. I saw my marriage disintegrate in front of my eyes. As the oldest son, this sense of obligation and responsibility to bring honor to the family was even stronger. Get listed in the most prominent screenplays collection on the web! New Study Explores How Yoga Reduces Stress, When Your Adolescent Doesn't Feel Good Enough, Grief, Anguish, and Healing After the Atlanta Spa Murders, How to Make an Intercultural Marriage Work. In addition, the values of Asian collectivism in which they tried to impress upon us as their children clashed with American ideals of independence. But you're probably pretty spectacular in some way, and definitely good enough in most areas of life. After an expedition fails to return from the Congo, another expedition is put together to search for them. Posted Oct 15, 2020 Is Deep Brain Stimulation an Effective Treatment for Severe OCD? My father is the oldest son of seven children. Studio: StudioCanal. While some Asian immigrants struggle to fit into white, suburban communities, we had to navigate our ways through three worldviews: White America, Black America, and our own Chinese culture at home. See the full list of Passport to Shame cast and crew including actors, directors, producers and more. Poured into bum-hugging skirts and Frederick’s of Soho lingerie she plays Vicki, a tart with a heart and a score to settle. He dropped out of school in junior high and began his apprenticeship in the kitchen of various Chinese restaurants. The Marketplace: Sell your Script ! How Would You Score on the Newest Measure of Shame? 1958 British drama film directed by Alvin Rakoff, written by Patrick Alexander and … PASSPORT TO SHAME [24-06-2011 12:00 AM] By Jafar M. Ramini As an observer and commentator on Palestinian issues I have made it a rule not to react in haste or anger to any kind of news that I read, hear or debate over our many problems and struggles. I not only studied Asian shame and addiction but also lived it. Bereft of emotional intimacy, I spent endless hours trying to fill the void in my heart by playing basketball, video games, watching television, or browsing department store catalogs. When the lighting cut out during a key scene, the filming had to continue. So you're not a "10" in every which way. Will my parents or friends accept me or will they reject me and want nothing to do with me?” I reasoned to myself that failure was not an option. Also, we went from being ethnic majorities in Hong Kong to ethnic minorities in America. If ever there were a time to stop beating yourself up for being human, it is now. Posted Oct 15, 2020 Yet the harsh reality of cultural shock is often overlooked. I felt like a failure not just to myself, but to others. I hated myself. "[7], Variety said, "Though a familiar entry in characters and general action, it has a plus in fairly unfettered looks at prostitution in London and the workings of a white slave ring. Embarrassment My Passport to Shame How my acculturation led me through a journey of shame and acceptance. When my grandfather abandoned the family and moved from Hong Kong to Australia, my dad was tasked to work to help support the family. You’ll have fun. They had no choice in their partnership and it showed. Passport to Shame. "This was not a low budget film," said director Alvin Rakoff, "this was a lowest budget film." Tweet Enquire about this film. A superior sexploitation thriller showcasing fiery performances from both Herbert Lom (as a sinister pimp) and Diana Dors (as one of his workers), Passport to Shame was the feature directorial debut for BAFTA-nominated Alvin Rakoff. They only knew how to be a majority and to view life through that prism of ethnic and cultural privilege. We are ethnically Chinese and more specifically Cantonese-speaking as our forefathers originated from the port city of Canton. Year: 1959. Beyond the cultural shock of adjusting to a new language and customs, they were stripped of the status of being part of the majority. 'Room 43' Exposes Adults Only Theme I often wondered to myself, “What if I don’t succeed in this career? Cabdriver Constantine falls for French girl mixed up with white slave ring, eventually helps to liberate her. Passport to Shame is a little like drinking a flat beer, if it’s your favorite brew then it’s passable; and I happen to like crime films. Genre: Crime, Drama. Alvin Rakoff directs with some style - the opening sequence sets the scene beautifully. How could I be so weak? When they arrived in Seattle, they were not only immigrants to a new land, but an ethnic minority popularized in Hollywood as strange, exotic, and foreign. Anger, disappointment, sadness, and fear were never expressed or condoned in my family. Consequently, based on what they had heard about America, my parents felt it was in the collective best interest to move here. With Diana Dors, Eddie Constantine, Herbert Lom, Odile Versois. Cabdriver Constantine falls for French girl mixed up with white slave ring, eventually helps to liberate her. I had to succeed. Worth it for genre fans and Diana Dors loins. The shame of letting down my family, my community, and my ancestors was palpable. My grandparents on my dad’s side were in an arranged marriage. I had to acknowledge to her and to myself that the tentacles of lust, infatuation, and pornography had strangled all the intimacy in our marriage. Passport to Shame. By the time I met my first wife while living in Ohio, she had no idea I was shrouded in sexual secrecy and shame. Motivations are mysterious and characterisations grotesque. The Pacific Northwest was our destination when a restaurant near Seattle wanted to sponsor my dad to live and work in the United States. Share. She woke up and saw me looking at porn on the computer. A taxi driver falls in love with a French woman who has been forced into prostitution, and strives to set her free. The film was also known as Visa to Shame and One Way Street. The dark shadow of sexual shame and secrecy had been lifted, and that spurred me into a career as a therapist specializing in Asian shame, addiction, and recovery. How had this happened? 'Room 43' Will Open Next Week - Passport to Shame - DVD Region 2 Free Shipping! Every day after work, I remember using sex to quell my fears and sense of isolation. More information. Along the way, he met a waitress who would become his wife (our mother) while working together at of these restaurants. Passport to Shame 1958 Full movie online MyFlixer MyFlixer is a Free Movies streaming site with zero ads. The stigma within my culture of both divorce and compulsive behavior pierced my soul. My young mind couldn’t make sense of it all and just thought it was “cool” that I could be both Chinese and British. I questioned my abilities. Top comments Passport to Shame does not have any comments (yet). Standard passports may contain information such as the holder's name, place and date of birth, photograph, signature, and other relevant identifying information. A French girl becomes embroiled in a life of prostitution. Cantonese-speaking Chinese made up more than 90 percent of the population. Passport to Shame (1958). item 1 PASSPORT TO SHAME DVD (UK IMPORT) DVD [REGION 2] NEW - PASSPORT TO SHAME DVD (UK IMPORT) DVD [REGION 2] NEW. Passport to Shame (1958) Diana Dors is at her Marilyn Monroe -esque voluptuous peak in this 1958 film drama about prostitution in London. The film begins with an introduction from Robert Fabian a real life Detective Superintendent who moved into crime writing following his retirement. My parents were in their late 20s when they decided to settle in America with no understanding of English, American customs, or a support network. Issues of domestic violence, gambling, infidelity, and strife plagued their relationship and impacted my father, uncles, and aunt. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. 75. This one even has some authority figure or other introducing the film in stentorian tones, telling how a dead end life of vice is just one bad decision away. I was the one responsible for passing this sense of honor down to future generations. This was Eddie Constantine's first English-language film.[4]. These new explorers discover a mysterious city and a … The ritualized nature of going to porn before I went to bed set in motion. Passport to Shame. "[2], Filmink thought Dors was better than the female lead.[8]. This misunderstanding continued after college and escalated as the cultural pressure to honor my family as an “American success story” took a firm hold. Not only were they known as Chinese immigrants, but they were also a minority living within a Black minority culture. TMDb Score. All these social, cultural, and personal factors created a perfect storm where sex became the salve for my soul. Our identities are forged by trying to avoid any shame-producing feelings. Los Angeles Times 18 Sep 1959: A10. Alvin Rakoff, a renowned television director, took on directing duties despite knowing that it would be an exploitation film because he wished to work in motion pictures. In other words, not only were we trying to understanding what it means to be a member of White America in general, but we also had to adapt to the nuances of living within Black culture while trying to honor our own ethnic heritage and history. Cast: Diana Dors (Vicki), Eddie Constantine (Johnny), Herbert Lom (Nick), Odile Versois (Malou), Brenda De Banzie (Aggie), Robert Brown (Mike) Show full cast and credits An honest taxi-driver is tricked into marrying a French girl to give her a British passport so she can be forced into prostitution by a … Actors: Brenda De Banzie, Diana Dors, Eddie Constantine, Elwyn Brook-Jones, Herbert Lom, Odile Versois, Robert Brown. With the divorce, I experienced a shattered dream, not just an individual dream but also the collective dream of my Chinese parents and grandparents. But the blessing from my divorce is that it forced me to acknowledge the pain within me while working on issues related to my compulsive lifestyle: childhood abandonment, emotional neglect, Asian shame, and other cultural forces at play that impacted my dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors. Watch Passport to Shame (1958) Online. Congo (1995). This included one-night stands, relationships devoid of emotional intimacy, and pornography. Passport to Shame, also known as Room 43, is a 1958 British drama film directed by Alvin Rakoff, written by Patrick Alexander and starring Diana Dors and Herbert Lom.[3]. The fear and potential shame of bringing dishonor on myself, my family, my grandparents, and my ancestors weighed heavily on my conscience. My parents also shared the traditional worldview of Asian shame and honor, which undergirds Asian societies, families, and thus individuals. This can lead to viewing yourself as flawed, defective, unworthy, and ultimately unlovable. Passport to Shame "A PICTURE BEST UNDERSTOOD BY ADULTS!" No ratings or reviews yet. Somewhat comically to modern eyes, Passport to Shame begins with one Fabian of the Yard, as he styles himself, telling us the film we are about to see will teach us a sobering lesson about one of the worst blights on British society, which is the aforementioned prostitution. (English is also an official language in Hong Kong.). "[6], The Monthly Film Bulletin called it a "wildly incredible story" which "... must be the most wholeheartedly absurd prostitute drama yet. Why Studies of Insect Vision Will Change Your Life, This Should Be Labeled a Universal Principle of Influence, Alternative Facts in the Psychotherapy Office, The Difference Between Shame and Accountability, The Brain Science Behind Emotions in Borderline Personality. Cast: Diana Dors, Herbert Lom, Eddie Constantine. Reviewed by Abigail Fagan, Hong Kong was once home to my ancestors, my parents, and me and my two younger brothers. And believe me I … It was further heightened as I moved away from Seattle and lived in various cities across the U.S. I was lonely and wracked with insecurity. Passport to Shame is similar to these films: The Comedy Man, The Long Haul (1957 film), Hell Is Sold Out and more. A delightfully lurid and ludicrous tale of prostitution (despite an opening prologue by a former policeman attesting to the film's accuracy). With the advent of the internet, my usage escalated as it was now much more accessible and anonymous. Trailer. Be the first to write a review. The film introduced new talent, such as Michael Caine in an uncredited role, Jackie Collins, later an acclaimed novelist, and Joan Sims. Consequently, as an Asian-American stepping out into the world of education, career, or marriage, the weight of my culture followed me along with the expectation and obligation to bring honor to my family and my ancestral roots. As a result, we unconsciously learned to associate these emotions as shameful. The Los Angeles Times said "the picture is rather well done. I say collective because not only did this mean our nuclear family could immigrate to the U.S. but so could my grandparents, aunts, and uncles due to the immigration laws at the time. Director: Alvin Rakoff. After a few years of marriage, I hid the shame of my behavior from her until one night when I was caught in my usual trance of browsing through nude images online. Directed by Alvin Rakoff. Topic. It was a shame that wracked my soul. Pimp Nick meets Canadian Johnny and offers him money if he will marry a woman. Passport to Shame is a 1958 film starring Diana Dors, Eddie Constantine, Herbert Lom. The passport sounds like the continuation of ObamaCare, but hitting “all parts of society” to achieve compliance. $25.34. So many Asians will do everything in their power to never show negative emotions for fear of losing face. Through a journey of Shame have any comments ( yet ), and personal factors created a perfect where... Despite an opening prologue by a former policeman attesting to the family I thought had... Choice in their partnership and it showed it is also known passport to shame a 1958 film starring Diana,! 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