Film Language Tag: music, native
In accented cinema, the emphasis on music and songs that demarcate individual and collective identities. Used both diegetically and extradiegetically.
Closing Sequence, The Namesake
Nick/Gogol (Kal Penn) attends a going-away party for his mother, Ashima (Tabu), who is departing for India. He visits his childhood bedroom and discovers the Nikolai Gogol book that his father, Ashoke (Irrfan Khan) has gifted him, and speaks with his mother about his wife, Moushumi's (Zuleikha Robinson) affair.
Nick/Gogol and Max's Fight, The Namesake
Nick/Gogol (Kal Penn) shaves his head for his father, Ashoke's (Irrfan Khan) funeral. A flashback to Ashoke's shaved head unites the past and the present. Max (Jacinda Barrett) and Nick/Gogol fight about her presence at Ashoke's funeral ceremony.
Nick/Gogol Learns About His Name, The Namesake
Max (Jacinda Barrett) visits Nick/Gogol's (Kal Penn) childhood home and meets his parents. Ashoke (Irrfan Khan) tells Nick/Gogol about the origins of his name. A flashback captures Ashoke's traumatic train accident.