Directed by the very talented Danny Boyle, this, in essence, is very much an Indian movie. Indeed more than 90% of the production team were Indian. Winning a bucket-load of awards already (including four Golden Globe awards) and looking at a clean sweep at the Oscars. I have seen it twice now and although a somewhat cheesy ending, it is an excellent production. It was released in India last Friday.
However, there have been several complaints from Indians who have condemned the film as portraying India in a negative light.
Reuters reported one disgruntled Indian social activist and slum-dweller who has filed a complaint in a local court against director Danny Boyle, producer Christian Colson and the distributor, saying the film's title was damaging and discriminating.
Nicholas Almeida has named stray dogs after those involved in the film to protest against the title. "When the British ruled India, they called Indians 'dogs'. Why do we want to call these poor children 'dogs' 60 years after we got independence?" Almeida, an elected member of the city civic body.
Almeida said he would continue to press for the movie's title to be changed, but has meanwhile held a naming ceremony for stray dogs in the slum to publicise his cause. "I have named them Danny, Christian, Loveleen, Dev and Freida," he said, referring to the director, producer, co-director Loveleen Tandan, star Dev Patel and leading lady Freida Pinto.
I have been privileged to go round "slum" areas both in India and Colombia - it´s an amazing experience. What strikes one the most are that the inhabitants are generally both very happy and friendly, despite being literally surrounded by shit.
Danny Boyle points out that children involved in the project from the slum areas have had a trust fund set up which they can collect when turning 18, providing they stay in education to that point. Also the main child actors have been offered apartments in Mumbai.
All countries have areas of deprivation and why should these not be portrayed in all areas of the media?
No comments:
Post a Comment