Bradford: City of Dreams - Season 1 (2013)

Depressed, decaying and culturally divided. This is a mild version of the standard reaction to the name ‘Bradford.’ It’s a city that has come to define the grim-up-north epithet, and with the huge influx of immigrants from Pakistan earned the label “Bradistan.” Throw in two sets of racially motivated riots, and its reputation appears sealed forever. Cue super-cars, sleek restaurants, happening Shisha lounges and Asian multi-millionaires in their early 30s. The look is more Monte-Carlo than Islamabad - except with a few more terraced houses and Yorkshire moors in the background. While nobody’s been looking, a revolution has been going on in the city usually lost in the shadow of Leeds… and it’s something we’re going to wake up to, whether we like it or not. As well as the largest Muslim population outside of London, Bradford has the youngest and fastest growing population. And the young Bradfordians of today have a very different attitude to their parents: they may have inherited the parental work ethic, but they have ambitions on a wholly different scale. Driving taxis or running corner shops and small curry houses is not enough: they’re savvy enough to realize the scale of the opportunities out there, and they want to make it big, get rich, and show it off. Believe it or not, Bradford itself is a wholly unique, untested opportunity. The huge and diverse immigrant communities, which only a decade ago seemed to reinforce stereotypes of being divided, exclusive and alien – culminating in rioting against the police – are instead providing a one-off, highly fertile cultural hybrid. And a slew of Bradfordians who grew up with and understand this heady mix are successfully both making a lot of money, and changing the face of the city. This warm, affectionate two part series offers a unique perspective on this fascinating city, following the life and work of some of its biggest characters. It’s the optimistic antidote to the tiresome ‘grim North’ stereotype, presenting a vibrant community facing up to the future.