Javed is a Pakistani teenager who experiences racial and economic turmoil while living in Luton, England, in 1987.

He writes poetry as a way to escape the intolerance of his hometown and the stubborn views of his traditional father. When a classmate introduces him to the music of Bruce Springsteen, Javed sees parallels between the singer's powerful lyrics and his own working-class environment. Springsteen's melodies soon inspire Javed to find his own voice and follow his dreams.

For detailed information about the film's age rating and content notices, you can visit the BBFC website and search the film title, then scroll down to the “Content Advice” section.

Rip It Up - Cut and Paste!

The 2026 BFI FAN UK-wide season – Rip It Up – explores and celebrates the changing face of youth rebellion, culture and expression – from joy to heartbreak – on screen in the UK.

Cut and Paste!, the PAC strand of the season, uses film as a starting point to explore what it feels like to be young in the city. How do places influence how young people see themselves and move through the spaces they inhabit. Three key films explore this, and zine workshops and archive exploration lends a playful, experimental, creative punk element to ripping the old things up and making something brand new. Working in partnership with Fotonow and The Box, Plymouth, we will leave our expectations behind and see what happens.

This season is made possible with the support of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds from National Lottery.

Showings

• Saturday 26th September at 5.30pm

• Tuesday 29th September at 6pm

• Wednesday 30th September at 8.30pm

Dir. Gurinder Chadha, UK, 2019, 112 mins. Cast. Viveik Kalra, Aaron Phagura, Nell Williams, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra.

Get your tickets here.