Tuesday 24 February 2009
Slumdog Millionaire grabs Eight Oscars
Don't call us dogs, say Slumdog protesters in cinema rampage
It is very true that Fame is double-edged swords as slumdog is facing.
Several hundred people rampaged through the cinema in Patna, capital of the eastern state of Bihar, on Monday and tore down posters advertising the film. They said the title was humiliating and vowed to continue their protests until it was changed reported by the times.
The protest was organised by Tateshwar Vishwakarma, a social activist who filed a lawsuit over the title last week against four Indians involved in its production - a lead actor, the music director and two others.
"Referring to people living in slums as dogs is a violation of human rights," said Mr Vishwakarma, who works for a group promoting the rights of slum dwellers. We will burn Danny Boyle [the film's British director] effigies in 56 slums here."
Danny Boyle defends treatment of child actors
I found that Danny Boyle was defending treatment of child actors while her her interview to Times Reporter February 4, 2009 that he was proud of the way child actors in the film were treated.
Claims had been made that some of the young performers from the Mumbai slums had not been paid fairly for their work.
At the London Film Critics' Circle Awards, where Slumdog won three prizes, Boyle said the facts had been misreported.
"The actors were paid very well. We have not released any figures - either what they were paid or what they will receive when they complete their education because it would make them vulnerable to certain elements, because they are quite large sums of money."
The production company wanted to make sure the child actors would benefit from a decent education as well as the money, he said.
"We are very proud of the way we have dealt with everybody, and it's sad that it's been misreported by some people."
Slumdog has also earned 10 Oscar and 11 BAFTA nominations, Boyle said the accolades were a huge boost to the cast and crew.
"It's been an extraordinary journey, but in a way I should have expected something extraordinary because the city we made it in does nothing by half," he said.
"Everything's max, there's no half measures, it's a full-on passionate city, so we should have expected it, but you don't.
"It's been incredible."
But there was no award for the film's 18 year-old-star Dev Patel, who lost out in the British Actor and NSPCC Young British Performance award.
This new award went to 16-year-old Thomas Turgoose for Somers Town and Eden Lake.
The teenager said he was thrilled with the prize, and praised director Shane Meadows for spurring him to an award-winning performance.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
What is Slumdog Millionaire all about ?
Slumdog Millionaire is a movie about Jamal Malik. He is an 18 year-old orphan from Mumbai who experiences one memorable event in his life. He joins the popular game show, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" and is just one question away from winning the Indian jackpot of 20 million rupees.
However, he is arrested by the police during the break of the show. They are asking him how he knows so much, considering his current lifestyle. The story recounts how Jamal's background enabled him to know the answers to the game show questions.
He is let go to answer the final jackpot question. Will he answer it correctly? More importantly, why did he join the contest in the first place? The ending will surprise you.
Slumdog Millionaire stars Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan, Anil Kapoor, Madhur Mittal and Freida Pinto. It is directed by Danny Boyle for Fox Searchlight Pictures
'Slumdog Millionaire' takes seven awards at BAFTAs
"Slumdog Millionaire" had been nominated for 11 awards and took home seven, including best director for Danny Boyle, best adapted screenplay for Simon Beaufoy and the music, cinematography, editing and sound prizes.
Made by a British team but with an Indian cast and crew, the movie is a favourite to win best film at the Oscars on February 22.
