The Oscar Doesn’t Go To …

Published Jan 10, 2009

From the magazine issue dated Jan 19, 2009

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"Slumdog Millionaire," the effervescent, rags-to-riches fable set in India, is the best-picture front runner at this year's Oscars, and if it wins, it'll be a marvelous story. The movie was made for just $15 million, contains long stretches of Hindi dialogue and features a cast of all-Indian (or British-Indian) actors. But if "Slumdog" wins big, this global Cinderella story could get an awkward dose of reality. Onscreen, "Slumdog" is filled with brown faces—but onstage at the Oscars, virtually all of the people collecting trophies for it will have white ones.

Despite appearances, "Slumdog" is a British production. It was produced by Christian Colson, directed by Danny Boyle ("Trainspotting") and, though based on Indian author Vikas Swarup's novel "Q&A," scripted by Simon Beaufoy—all of whom are white and sure bets for Oscar nominations. Meanwhile, out of the sprawling cast, only Dev Patel has a shot. "Storytelling has no boundaries," says a spokesperson for the film's studio, Fox Searchlight. "There are hundreds … of films made by filmmakers about cultures and societies other than their own."

Though not without a lot of help. Boyle has said that his casting director, Loveleen Tandan, was so indispensable to the complex Mumbai shoot that he gave her a "codirector" credit. But only Boyle's name appears on the Oscar ballot, because the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Directors Guild of America don't recognize such titles. Guess she'll have to settle for a thank-you.

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Posted By: megherau @ 02/23/2009 5:54:59 PM

I really don't know what point you are trying to make, if you are trying to subtle. This is Boyle's endeavour, why should Tandan get the credit...it was nothing for her other than a job--she got paid. If you want to argue this stupid point, why is it that Pinto gets to show her not-so-impressive face slobbed with expensive, designer gowns for each of the awards (like she's running in a awards marathon--hoping she gets picked by a hollywood director), while the slum kids get to go only for one award ceremony and dressed in less-stellar, no name designers?
I am ok if you bring up some sort of unfairness, but if so, do it at all levels.
Also, sushruta, just thank the westerners for shedding some light on the slum-lives of millions in India, coz as indians, we are too self-absorbed and selfish to give even an iota of thought to these struggling masses.
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Posted By: JohnDow @ 02/09/2009 1:12:49 PM

"There are plenty of American movies about homeless Americans."
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That's a good point, but how many of such movies that explore the dark underbelly of American life, dysfunctional families and corruption make it to "third-world" countries? Or are the ones exported to these countries the special effects extravaganza where an American hero prevails against the bad guys, thus ensuring cultural hegemony as well as advertising to the viewers that "America is so wonderful"?

The other point you missed is: Who is telling the story? Is it Indians who are telling their own stories, or are stories told by others (outsiders) about India that are being promoted? Why not promote Indian movies that are much better than SM and also talk about realities? Now, if you think that it doesn't matter who tells anyone's story, maybe you should look at the narratives and characters shown in American movies pertaining to native-americans and blacks, what stories have been told and how authentic they are (in the sense of depicting reality and history).
JohnDow
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Posted By: 'Cada @ 01/30/2009 10:03:22 PM

There are plenty of American movies about homeless Americans. Was "The Pursuit of Happyness" with Will Smith distributed in India? We also have documentaries such as "Sicko" and "Murder on a Sunday Morning" and "Maxed Out" that unflinchingly show how screwed up America can be during its worst possible moments. The difference here is, many of us in the U.S. very adamantly believe that blind patriotism for the sake of blind patriotism is simply dangerous. Social commentary is welcome... with any luck it leads to progress down the line. You know, Charles Dickens did England a great service by highlighting the plight of its poor-- and he was a homegrown social commentator. I'll see "Taare Zameen Par" when I can, in part because your comment has piqued my interest. But I remember seeing "Black" in a theatre in Mumbai & hearing all its "Oscar-worthy" buzz--- and I'm sorry but that movie was a blatant (and overacted) ripoff of "The Miracle Worker" starring Anne Bancroft. We shall see. Truly, though, a HUGE number of perfectly worthy films never make it to Oscar fame. There are so few slots.