[Goanet] 'Slumdog Millionaire' Choreographer to appear in action for May Queen Ball in Qatar
GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994) To: goaworldto...@yahoo.com 'Slumdog Millionaire' Choreographer to appear in action for May Queen Ball in Qatar Longines Fernandes Mumbai-based Longines Fernandes who has his Goan roots in Asolna, South Goa is all set to appear in action for the ninth edition of the May Queen Ball on 7th May 2009 beginning at 9 pm at the Diplomatic Club organised by the Goan Welfare Association. Longines Fernandes popularly known as Longi will be presenting the popular dance sequence of Jai Ho and Pappu Can’t Dance Saala from “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na” a film produced by Aamir Khan. It will be an opportunity for the winner of the May Queen contest to dance with Longie after the crowning. Longi sets his career to new heights in Bollywood and Hollywood as he embraces his newfound fame and achievements. At the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, director Danny Boyle thanked him in his acceptance speech, while receiving his award for Best Direction and recalled the contributions of Longi in making his film appealing to the audiences. Longi recently won the Best Choreography Award at the 54th Annual Filmfare Awards for his work in the film “Jaane tu ya jaane na” for Pappu Can’t Dance Saala. The Filmfare Awards are one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India; and Internationally he is most known as the choreographer of the closing credits dance sequence featuring Academy Award Original Song winning song, Jai Ho and another featuring O…Saaya, also nominated in the same category, in the film Slumdog Millionaire. However, after Academy Award winner Danny Boyle graciously thanked him at the 2009 Oscars for his brilliant choreography in the worldwide movie sensation Slumdog Millionaire, people everywhere are buzzing about the name Longines Fernandes. Longi, has been choreographing and dancing for over two decades and has won countless dance titles throughout the years. He performs different dance styles including freestyle, western, salsa, jive, jazz, street, hip-hop and Bollywood style. “Dancing for him is wholesome entertainment and I am a wholesome entertainer”, says Longi. He gained widespread popularity by winning runner-up on Sony Entertainment’s ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa’, which is the Indian version of America ’s popular reality show ‘Dancing with the Stars’. Longi has had a very successful career as one of Bollywood’s lead choreographers as well. He has choreographed numerous movies including Mera Dil Leke Dekho, Corporate, Rok Sako To Rok Lo and Agni Pankh. Longi now joins the Xcel Talent Agency family as one of its superstar choreographers. He is currently working on three new films, Bollywood Hero, Sabese Peeche Hum Khade, and Bachelor’s Party. Expect to see great things in 2009 from this Ultra Choreographer and Entertainer. The ninth addition of May Queen Ball is full of fun and complete entertainment catering to different nationalities, said Simon D’Silva, president of Goan Welfare Association. The highlight of the event will be Crowning of May Queen. The organisation is also working out plans to rope up in a couple of Bollywood Stars including a top Bollywood comedian that will be announced in a few days. Karishma Fernandez, a news producer and presenter who worked for Bombay World Space Satellite and who is now with Arabian Radio Network in Dubai will compere the show along with veteran Updesh Swar from Goa. Scintillating music performances by Goa ’s number one band “FOREFRONT”. FOREFRONT Participants to the contest should contact the organizers as early as possible. Tickets are priced at Qrs. 150 per adult and Qrs. 100 per child between 5 and 12 years including buffet dinner. Prices will be double after May 3 subject to availability. More details can be had by phoning on 5550491, 5218480, 5807019 and 5504801. Gulf Times: 16/04/2009 Slumdog choreographer to attend May Queen Ball By Ramesh Mathew Longines Fernandes, a widely acclaimed Bollywood choreographer, will attend this year’s May Queen Ball celebrations to be held at The Diplomatic Club on May 7. Simon D’ Silva, president of the Goan Welfare Association which is organising the event, said Fernandes, who was the choreographer of the Slumdog Millionaire will present the popular dance sequence of Jai Ho from the Oscar winning film at the ninth edition of May Queen Ball . Fernandes, popularly known as “Longi” will also perform the Pappu Can’t Dance Saala song from the Bollywood film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. The choreographer has his roots in Asolna, in southern Goa and this is what prompted the organisation to invite him for this year’s function, said D’Silva. The organisers said the winner of the May Queen contest will get an opportunity to dance with “Longi” after the crowning ceremony. At the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, Slumdog Millionaire’s director Danny Boyle recalled the contributions of Longi in making his film
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire Choreographer to appear in action for the 9th May Queen Ball in Qatar
Slumdog Millionaire Choreographer to appear in action for the 9th May Queen Ball in Qatar Longines Fernandes Mimbai-based Longines Fernandes who has his Goan roots in Asolna, South Goa is all set to appear in action for the ninth edition of the May Queen Ball on 7th May 2009 beginning at 9 pm at the Diplomatic Club organised by the Goan Welfare Association. Longines Fernandes popularly known as Longi will be presenting the popular dance sequence of Jai Ho and Pappu Can't Dance Saala from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na a film produced by Aamir Khan. It will be an opportunity for the winner of the May Queen contest to dance with Longie after the crowning. Longi sets his career to new heights in Bollywood and Hollywood as he embraces his newfound fame and achievements. At the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, director Danny Boyle thanked him in his acceptance speech, while receiving his award for Best Direction and recalled the contributions of Longi in making his film appealing to the audiences. Longi recently won the Best Choreography Award at the 54th Annual Filmfare Awards for his work in the film Jaane tu ya jaane na for Pappu Can't Dance Saala. The Filmfare Awards are one of the oldest and most prominent film events given for Hindi films in India; and Internationally he is most known as the choreographer of the closing credits dance sequence featuring Academy Award Original Song winning song, Jai Ho and another featuring O.Saaya, also nominated in the same category, in the film Slumdog Millionaire. However, after Academy Award winner Danny Boyle graciously thanked him at the 2009 Oscars for his brilliant choreography in the worldwide movie sensation Slumdog Millionaire, people everywhere are buzzing about the name Longines Fernandes. Longi, has been choreographing and dancing for over two decades and has won countless dance titles throughout the years. He performs different dance styles including freestyle, western, salsa, jive, jazz, street, hip-hop and Bollywood style. Dancing for him is wholesome entertainment and I am a wholesome entertainer, says Longi. He gained widespread popularity by winning runner-up on Sony Entertainment's 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa', which is the Indian version of America's popular reality show 'Dancing with the Stars'. Longi has had a very successful career as one of Bollywood's lead choreographers as well. He has choreographed numerous movies including Mera Dil Leke Dekho, Corporate, Rok Sako To Rok Lo and Agni Pankh. Longi now joins the Xcel Talent Agency family as one of its superstar choreographers. He is currently working on three new films, Bollywood Hero, Sabese Peeche Hum Khade, and Bachelor's Party. Expect to see great things in 2009 from this Ultra Choreographer and Entertainer. The ninth addition of May Queen Ball is full of fun and complete entertainment catering to different nationalities, said Simon D'Silva, president of Goan Welfare Association. The highlight of the event will be Crowning of May Queen. The organisation is also working out plans to rope up in a couple of Bollywood Stars including a top Bollywood comedian that will be announced in a few days. Karishma Fernandez, a news producer and presenter who worked for Bombay World Space Satellite and who is now with Arabian Radio Network in Dubai will compere the show along with veteran Updesh Swar from Goa. Scintillating music performances by Goa's number one band FOREFRONT. FOREFRONT Participants to the contest should contact the organizers as early as possible. Tickets are priced at Qrs. 150 per adult and Qrs. 100 per child between 5 and 12 years including buffet dinner. Prices will be double after May 3 subject to availability. More details can be had by phoning on 5550491, 5218480, 5807019 and 5504801. Gulf Times: 16/04/2009 Slumdog choreographer to attend May Queen Ball By Ramesh Mathew Longines Fernandes, a widely acclaimed Bollywood choreographer, will attend this year's May Queen Ball celebrations to be held at The Diplomatic Club on May 7. Simon D' Silva, president of the Goan Welfare Association which is organising the event, said Fernandes, who was the choreographer of the Slumdog Millionaire will present the popular dance sequence of Jai Ho from the Oscar winning film at the ninth edition of May Queen Ball . Fernandes, popularly known as Longi will also perform the Pappu Can't Dance Saala song from the Bollywood film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. The choreographer has his roots in Asolna, in southern Goa and this is what prompted the organisation to invite him for this year's function, said D'Silva. The organisers said the winner of the May Queen contest will get an opportunity to dance with Longi after the crowning ceremony. At the 81st Academy Awards ceremony, Slumdog Millionaire's director Danny Boyle recalled the contributions of Longi in making his film appealing to the audiences. Longi recently won the
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire team donates $900K to help Mumbai slum kids
Slumdog Millionaire team donates $900K to help Mumbai slum kids The team behind the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire has fulfilled an earlier pledge to help the poor children living in Mumbai's slums. The filmmakers announced Thursday they are donating $900,000 to the international development charity Plan, which has been working in India for almost three decades. The goal is to help improve help the lives of 5,000 children living in Mumbai slum communities over the next five years, including through education initiatives and training in good hygiene and sanitation. Having benefitted so much from the hospitality of the people of Mumbai, it is only right that some of the success of the movie be plowed back into the city in areas where it is needed most and where it can make a real difference to some lives, Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire's U.K. director, said in a statement. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2009/04/16/slumdog-donation-charity-kids.html
[Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --(Mario G)- hollow message of social justice
Hi All, 1) Nascy said: Very well said, Mario G!!! Indian middle and upper Classes have to 'Wake Up and Now' before more of the country becomes 'the Slum'. Reply: First of all has any one tried to find out which type of people or 'community', 'make' slums? There was a reality TV shown in UK whereby an American working in a call centre in USA came to find out why he lost his job to and India Call centre person. The program showed call centre workers and the employees living in slums plus another resident of the slums, a girl graduate who works in a bank. Although she wants to move out she says she can't because her family and friends live there. Haven't you heard - # 'Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home'. Secondly: I do not have a cut a paste job to enter here but in another reality program they showed, resident committee of flat owners do not allow a certain religious people. All religion people are allowed except one (you can guess). If I'm bold enough to ask - which community, specially in Mumbai do you think are slum dwellers? Slumdog director did not have any difficulty in choosing his child actors from there - did he now!? 2) Nascy said: Perhaps a good place to start would be for Indians in general to start paying their taxes as they are supposed to, start electing honest politicians, Reply: There again, I ask: why do you think late PM Indira Gandhi was killed? (Punjabees is NOT the answer - they were just used, Indians are their own worst enemy). ED.
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire child stars given free homes by Mumbai government
Forget the Oscars, the biggest Indian winners of the Slumdog Millionaire fairytale are two of the film's child actors plucked from the shanty towns of Mumbai, after it emerged they are to be given free homes by the state government . . . . . . . . . Another big winner from the movie appears to be Frieda Pinto, who a year ago was an unknown model in India struggling to break into Bollywood. But after the Oscars, she has been welcomed by Hollywood, securing a part in a new Woody Allen film alongside Anthony Hopkins and Naomi Watts. . . . . . . Industry sources quoted by the Indian press say Pinto will get up to $3m (£2m) for the movie – small change in Hollywood but double the fee paid to Bollywood's most famous female faces. From: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/feb/25/slumdog-millionaire-child-stars-homes _ Windows Live Messenger. Multitasking at its finest. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/products/messenger.aspx
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire
I understand that Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala too is of goan extraction. I believe he is the son of Dr Astrid Lobo Gajiwala who is a frequent contributor to the Examiner.Perhaps someone who knows the family well could confirm. Regards, Marshall
[Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --- hollow message of social justice
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:50:50 -0800 (PST) From: Samir Kelekar samir_kele...@yahoo.com At last, a different viewpoint. Actually, I havent seen the movie, nor do I wish to spend Rs. 100/- on seeing it, even though it may have won Oscars. I dont quite like these KBC kind of shows, which make you a millionaire on answering a few questions. Also, I find it really funny that the whole of urban India judges success of its movies by whether they won an American award or not. Indians seriously have a self-esteem problem! Mario responds: Samir, You are free to dislike KBC shows and to save your Rs. 100 so that you can go watch some other, more typical, even more unrealistic Bollywood fantasy, but your comment about the acclaim for this show is a gross misrepresentation. Slumdog Millionaire did not just sweep the Oscars - which you describe as an American award, but which really encompasses movies made around the world, even in India as we now know - it was highly acclaimed, recognised and awarded in virtually every international forum where critics pass judgment on movies. It has also been a commercial success, whereas many critically acclaimed movies fail at the box office. Besides, this was just a movie, for crying out loud, not some serious treatise on social conditions in India like some are misconstruing it to be. Even if it were, it did expose India's dark underbelly of abject poverty and mind-boggling filth far more realistically than any Bollywood movie has ever done with their ridiculous and fantastic and comical depictions of India and Indian life - improbably breaking out into song and dance at the drop of a hat. Can anyone deny that the poverty, filth and atrocities the film exposes are not part of slum life in India - or is everyone in the Indian middle-class so cynical and callous and blind to reality that they are unaware of this? I hope the exposure sensitizes Indians and others to the plight of the slumdwellers and spurs some genuine economic action that would use this resource, skilled at survival against crippling odds. I credit the Brits who were the brains behind this movie for whatever realism is in it, however dark, and the Indians who were in the movie for it's genuine charm, which individual Indians are being increasigly recognized for around the world. The stars and the slum kids were bright and charming and unselfconscious when interviewed by reporters more used to interviewing superstars. They represented India well and average Americans noticed and were impressed. Though I would have preferred Freida in a sari, her royal blue gown was by a major designer and she held her own, even stood out, among some of the most glamorous movie stars in the world. She absolutely belonged there. This is not just my opinion, but that of major movie critics, many of whom described her as gorgeous. 65 million Indians live like these slumdwellers, while most middle-class Indians pretend they don't even exist. I have just returned from Mumbai and the stifling stench of the Bandra slums and of Dharavi is still in my nostrils even without going behind the rows of leather-goods shops with their world-class products at bargain prices. If Indians have a self-esteem problem it does not lie in western acclaim, but in their own failure to acknowledge and accept that 65 million of their fellow citizens are slumdogs, and they better provide the infrastructure, education and job opportunities to lift them up from these conditions before laying any claim to be a superpower. Perhaps a good place to start would be for Indians in general to start paying their taxes as they are supposed to, start electing honest politicians, and showing some consideration for each other in public places including on the roads and highways.
Re: [Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --(Mario G)- hollow message of social justice
Very well said, Mario G!!! Indian middle and upperClasses have to 'Wake Up and Now' before more of the country becomes 'the Slum'. What with Slum type and Divisive attitudes of the Fascist Leaders and Organisations. These are they who make India look like a 'Maha Slum'. 'India Shinning' and 'Incredible India' Indeed!!! JAI HO!! Nascy Caldeira Down Under --- On Wed, 25/2/09, Mario Goveia mgov...@sbcglobal.net wrote: I hope the exposure sensitizes Indians and others to the plight of the slumdwellers and spurs some genuine economic action that would use this resource, skilled at survival against crippling odds. If Indians have a self-esteem problem it does not lie in western acclaim, but in their own failure to acknowledge and accept that 65 million of their fellow citizens are slumdogs, and they better provide the infrastructure, education and job opportunities to lift them up from these conditions before laying any claim to be a superpower. Perhaps a good place to start would be for Indians in general to start paying their taxes as they are supposed to, start electing honest politicians, and showing some consideration for each other in public places including on the roads and highways. Mario. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox
[Goanet] SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: reactions, abroad, among the diaspora, back home... (Wikipedia)
Reactions from the Western world Slumdog Millionaire has been critically acclaimed in the Western world. As of 21 February 2009, Rotten Tomatoes has given the film a 94% rating with a 186 fresh and twelve rotten reviews. The average score is 8.2/10.[50] At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the film has received an average score of 86, based on 36 reviews.[51] Movie City News shows that the film appeared in 123 different top ten lists, out of 286 different critics lists surveyed, the 3rd most mentions on a top ten list of any film released in 2008.[52] Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times gave the film four out of four stars, stating that it is, a breathless, exciting story, heartbreaking and exhilarating.[53] Wall Street Journal critic Joe Morgenstern refers to Slumdog Millionaire as, the film world's first globalized masterpiece.[54] Ty Burr of the Boston Globe describes the film as a sprawling, madly romantic fairy-tale epic is the kind of deep-dish audience-rouser we've long given up hoping for from Hollywood.[55] Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post argues that, this modern-day rags-to-rajah fable won the audience award at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, and it's easy to see why. With its timely setting of a swiftly globalizing India and, more specifically, the country's own version of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire TV show, combined with timeless melodrama and a hardworking orphan who withstands all manner of setbacks, Slumdog Millionaire plays like Charles Dickens for the 21st century.[56] Todd McCarthy of Variety, praises the script as intricate and cleverly structured, the cinematography by Anthony Dod Mantle's, and Chris Dickens' editing as breathless He concludes that, as drama and as a look at a country increasingly entering the world spotlight, Slumdog Millionaire is a vital piece of work by an outsider who's clearly connected with the place.[57] Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times describes the film as a Hollywood-style romantic melodrama that delivers major studio satisfactions in an ultra-modern way, and the hard-to-resist 'Slumdog Millionaire,' with director Danny Boyle adding independent film touches to a story of star-crossed romance that the original Warner brothers would have embraced, shamelessly pulling out stops that you wouldn't think anyone would have the nerve to attempt anymore.[58] Manohla Dargis of The New York Times, calls the film a modern fairy tale, a sensory blowout, and one of the most upbeat stories about living in hell imaginable. She concludes that In the end, what gives me reluctant pause about this bright, cheery, hard-to-resist movie is that its joyfulness feels more like a filmmaker's calculation than an honest cry from the heart about the human spirit.[59] Peter Brunette of the Hollywood Reporter, while giving it a positive review, states the film is a high-octane hybrid of Danny Boyle's patented cinematic overkill and Bollywood's ultra-energetic genre conventions that is a little less good than the hype would have it.[60] Several other reviewers have described Slumdog Millionaire as a Bollywood-style Masala movie,[61] due to the way the film combines familiar raw ingredients into a feverish masala[62] and culminates in the romantic leads finding each other.[63] Other critics offered mixed reviews. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film three out of five stars, stating that despite the extravagant drama and some demonstrations of the savagery meted out to India's street children, this is a cheerfully undemanding and unreflective film with a vision of India that, if not touristy exactly, is certainly an outsider's view; it depends for its full enjoyment on not being taken too seriously.[64] Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle states that, Slumdog Millionaire has a problem in its storytelling. The movie unfolds in a start-and-stop way that kills suspense, leans heavily on flashbacks and robs the movie of most of its velocity. The filmmakers' motives are sincere. The story is interesting enough. Yet the whole construction is tied to a gimmicky narrative strategy that keeps Slumdog Millionaire from really hitting its stride until the last 30 minutes. By then, it's just a little too late.[65] Eric Hynes of IndieWIRE panned the film and wrote it is bombastic and a noisy, sub-Dickens update on the romantic tramp's tale and faulted the film's glossy and sentimental portrayal of societal poverty, and described it as a goofy picaresque to rival Forrest Gump in its morality and romanticism.[66] Armond White of the New York Press called the film decadently over-hyped and Gitmo for guilty liberals, also stating that over-stimulation crushes feeling [and] only evokes sentimentality and that Boyle trades exploitation for schmaltz.[67] Matthew Schneeberger speculates as to why the film has angered some Indians stating: Say an Indian director travelled to New Orleans for a
[Goanet] SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE: Freida Pinto
Freida Pinto From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pinto in November 2008 BornOctober 18, 1984 (1984-10-18) (age 24) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India Occupation Actress Years active2008 — present Official website Freida Pinto (born October 18, 1984) is an Indian actress and professional model, best known for her performance as Latika in her debut film Slumdog Millionaire, an eight time Academy Award winner, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2008. Pinto won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Contents [hide] * 1 Biography * 2 Career * 3 Awards and honours * 4 Filmography * 5 References * 6 External links [edit] Biography Freida Pinto was born in Mumbai to Sylvia Pinto, now a principal of St. John's Universal High School (Goregaon), and Frederick Pinto, a senior branch manager at the Bank of Baroda. Her family hails from the Mangalorean Catholic community, a Christian community in Mumbai of Goan origins. The name Pinto is of Portuguese origin. Her father is from Neerude and mother from Derebail, both towns near Mangalore. Her elder sister Sharon Pinto is an associate producer on the NDTV news channel.[1][2] Pinto studied at Carmel of St. Joseph School, Malad and completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in English Literature from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai.[2][3] She currently resides in the Malad suburb of Mumbai.[4] She is also trained in different forms of Indian classical dance as well as Salsa.[5] [edit] Career Pinto with Dev Patel at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival Before starring in Slumdog Millionaire, Freida anchored the international travel show, Full Circle on Zee International Asia Pacific in English between 2006-07. Pinto was also featured in several television and print advertisements for products such as Wrigley's Chewing Gum, Škoda, Hutch, Airtel, and DeBeers. Pinto modeled for two years and appeared in runway shows and magazine covers.[1] She learned acting from The Barry John's Acting Studio in Andheri and was trained by her mentor Barry John.[6][7] After six months of auditions, she received a call to audition for Slumdog Millionaire. Pinto auditioned for Danny Boyle and was short-listed and finally selected to star in Slumdog Millionaire.[3] Pinto made her film debut in 2008. Slumdog Millionaire tells the story of a young man from the slums of Mumbai who appears on a game show and exceeds people's expectations, arousing the suspicions of the game show host and of law enforcement officials. In the movie, Pinto played the role of Latika, the girl with whom Jamal (Dev Patel) is in love. At the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, the movie won the Cadillac People's Choice Award.[8] At the 2009 Golden Globe Awards, the movie won four awards. Pinto herself was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 2009 BAFTA Awards,[9] and won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture alongside ten other cast members from Slumdog Millionaire.[10] In a free wheeling interview to ANI, Freida revealed that she wouldn't mind doing sex scenes for Hollywood directors.[11] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freida_Pinto
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire: A Hollow Message of Social Justice (Mitu Sengupta, AlterNet)
Slumdog Millionaire: A Hollow Message of Social Justice By Mitu Sengupta, AlterNet. Posted February 23, 2009. Despite all the hype, Slumdog delivers a patronizing and ultimately sham statement on social justice. Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, perhaps one of the most celebrated films in recent times, tells the rags-to-rajah story of a love-struck Indian boy, Jamal, who, with a little help from destiny, triumphs over his wretched beginnings in Mumbai's squalid slums. Riding on a wave of rave reviews, Slumdog has now won Hollywood's highest tribute, the Academy Award for Best Picture, along with seven more Oscars, including one for Best Director. These honors will probably add some $100 million to Slumdog's box-office takings, as Oscar wins usually do. They will also further enhance the film's fast-growing reputation as an authentic representation of the lives of India's urban poor. So far, most of the awards collected by the film have been accepted in the name of the children, suggesting that its own cast and crew regard it (and have relentlessly promoted it) not as a cinematically spectacular, musically rich and entertaining work of fiction, which it is, but as a powerful tool of advocacy. Nothing could be more worrying, as Slumdog, despite all the hype to the contrary, delivers a deeply disempowering narrative about the poor that thoroughly undermines, if not totally negates, its seeming message of social justice. Slumdog has angered many Indians because it tarnishes their perception of their country as a rising economic power and a beacon of democracy. India's English-language papers, read mainly by its middle classes, have carried many bristling reviews of the film that convey an acute sense of wounded national pride. While understandable, the sentiment is not defensible. Though at times embarrassingly contrived, most of the film's heartrending scenarios are inspired by a sad, but well-documented reality. Corruption is certainly rampant among the police, and many will gladly use torture, though none is probably dim enough to target an articulate, English-speaking man who is already a rising media phenomenon. Beggar-makers do round-up abandoned children and mutilate them in order to make them more sympathetic, though it is highly improbable that any such child will ever chance upon a $100 bill, much less be capable of identifying it by touch and scent alone. Indeed, if anything, Boyle's magical tale, with its unconvincing one-dimensional characters and absurd plot devices, greatly understates the depth of suffering among India's poor. It is near-impossible, for example, that Jamal would emerge from his ravaged life with a dewy complexion and an upper-class accent. But the real problem with Slumdog is neither its characterization of India as just another Third World country, nor, within this, its shallow and largely impressionistic portrayal of poverty. The film's real problem is that it grossly minimizes the capabilities and even the basic humanity of those it so piously claims to speak for. It is no secret that much of Slumdog is meant to reflect life in Dharavi, the 213-hectare spread of slums at the heart of Mumbai. The film's depiction of the legendary Dharavi, which is home to some one million people, is that of a feral wasteland, with little evidence of order, community or compassion. Other than the children, the slumdogs, no-one is even remotely well-intentioned. Hustlers, thieves, and petty warlords run amok, and even Jamal's schoolteacher, a thin, bespectacled man who introduces him to the Three Musketeers, is inexplicably callous. This is a place of evil and decay; of a raw, chaotic tribalism. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Dharavi teems with dynamism and creativity, and is a hub of entrepreneurial activity, in industries such as garment manufacturing, embroidery, pottery, and leather, plastics and food processing. It is estimated that the annual turnover from Dharavi's small businesses is between US$50 to $100 million. Dharavi's lanes are lined with cell-phone retailers and cybercafés, and according to surveys by Microsoft Research India, the slum's residents exhibit a remarkably high absorption of new technologies. Governing structures and productive social relations also flourish. The slum's residents have nurtured strong collaborative networks, often across potentially volatile lines of caste and religion. Many cooperative societies work together with grassroots associations to provide residents with essential services such as basic healthcare, schooling and waste disposal, and tackle difficult issues such as child abuse and violence against women. In fact, they often compensate for the formal government's woeful inadequacy in meeting the needs of the poor. Although it is true that these severely under-resourced self-help organizations have touched only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, it is important to acknowledge their efforts and agency, along with the
[Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --- hollow message of social justice
At last, a different viewpoint. Actually, I havent seen the movie, nor do I wish to spend Rs. 100/- on seeing it, even though it may have won Oscars. I dont quite like these KBC kind of shows, which make you a millionaire on answering a few questions. Also, I find it really funny that the whole of urban India judges success of its movies by whether they won an American award or not. Indians seriously have a self-esteem problem! samir
[Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --- hollow message of social justice
Samir Kelekar said, At last, a different viewpoint. Actually, I havent seen the movie, nor do I wish to spend Rs. 100/- on seeing it, even though it may have won Oscars. Commnet: I have also not seen the movie but I am going to watch it. Samir said, I dont quite like these KBC kind of shows, which make you a millionaire on answering a few questions. Comment: This film is not only on KBC but also to show human attitude toward, poverty, richness as also how a common man remembers certain important events..this idea is not naive but certaily its different feeling for different people.. there are many world with this world and still we are one... Samir said: I find it really funny that the whole of urban India judges success of its movies by whether they won an American award or not. Indians seriously have a self-esteem problem! Comment: Self-esteem is very important, it should be the most important driving for development. Our slave mentality as also priority that has given in our education system does not any lessens for self esteem. It has put all that Indian as second grade... Even we notice the film that India produced in first 2 decade of last century were based on Indian theme but later on as financing part of film went into the hands certain community theme of popular films has westernised our minds.. there after 'D' company took over and study the theme of 'Robin hood' type... Now after film has been recongnised as Industry finance stated coming from Banks .theme of major films has changed ... Slumdog will make us think about slum dwelers Lets be positive Shrikant Vinayak Barve Add more friends to your messenger and enjoy! Go to http://messenger.yahoo.com/invite/
Re: [Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --- hollow message of social justice
Hello Samir: re: Also, I find it really funny that the whole of urban India judges success of its movies by whether they won an American award or not. You raise a valid point. But what is more intriguing is why a film shot in a Mumbai slum has caught the imagination of the western world - even with scenes of a young boy falling in and running through neck-high human excrement. A similar film could have been made using a slum in the Philippines, China, Brazil, Africa or elsewhere in the world. Would it have had the same effect? I suspect not. Question is then why an Indian slum called Dharavi? Tim Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:50:50 -0800 From: samir_kele...@yahoo.com To: goanet@lists.goanet.org Subject: [Goanet] Slumdog millionaire --- hollow message of social justice At last, a different viewpoint. Actually, I havent seen the movie, nor do I wish to spend Rs. 100/- on seeing it, even though it may have won Oscars. I dont quite like these KBC kind of shows, which make you a millionaire on answering a few questions. Also, I find it really funny that the whole of urban India judges success of its movies by whether they won an American award or not. Indians seriously have a self-esteem problem! samir _ Twice the fun—Share photos while you chat with Windows Live Messenger. http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowslive/products/messenger.aspx
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire The Oscars
Oscar joy for Slumdog Millionaire http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/oscars/7904567.stm In pictures: Oscar ceremony http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7904923.stm In pictures: Oscar red carpet http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7904912.stm Oscars 2009: The winners http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/oscars/7842438.stm _ Twice the fun—Share photos while you chat with Windows Live Messenger. Learn more. http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/windowslive/products/messenger.aspx
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire - One Thumb Down
Ended up seeing Slumdog Millionaire yesterday. Actually I would have seen it a long time ago before it became famous, at a Toronto Film Festival preview to which I had 2 free tickets, had it not been for my wife who refused to see on film what we once saw in Bombay in actual life. Like women, she is mostly right. Looking from the eyes of an ex-Bombaywalla, I was disappointed with the movie. Don't get me wrong, I wish it well and hope that in addition to all the awards it has already won, it wins at the Oscars too. Not only that, I wish that Dev Patel and Frieda Pinto get all the splendid spin-offs that result from a famous film. But the film itself was neither a tear-jerker, nor had a social message nor was just a feel good movie. It was a portrayal of reality in the Bombay slums or for that matter in the slums of any large Indian metropolis. It was reality all right. The director dared to show: Life in the slums Filth in all its glory Exploitation of children Maiming little ones to put them out to beg Third degree methods used routinely by Indian police All, except an outrageously unreal theme right out of Bollywood. That a young boy wins a hefty monetary price at a Bombay television game show based on giving answers that he actually experienced in his slum experience. It did have it's undercurrent of love and hope, that of an enduring relationship of one five year old slum boy for another five year old slum girl, though one had to stretch one's imagination for this. I know why the film has won international acclaim. It shows the other side of India. One that has always existed, but to the Westerner, is especially relevant now that India has become an international player. This film would not have merited an 'also ran' ten years ago, although what is shown in it, has existed for more than the last fifty. Something good may come of it, I hope. Perhaps some western countries may send their aid groups to Indian slums to mitigate the extreme poverty that is a fact of life there. Danny Boyle the director has certainly not made any plans for this. If not for the adults, at least for the children so that they might at least have hope. I doubt that will happen. The Indian govt is too proud to let it. After all one cannot have nuclear weapons and then need some 'goras' to look after your weakest links. I have seen better Indian-English movies directed by Deepa Mehta, Mira Nair and before that by James Ivory and Ismail Merchant. I have heard better musical scores in those films than those of Abdul Rehman in this. Better stories, better direction, better themes. But that is only because I am an ex-Bombaywalla and know a good English film about anything Indian than most westerners do. But inspite of all that, to those who have not seen Slumdog Millionaire, I sincerely say dont miss it. -- Roland Francis http://roland-torontogoan.blogspot.com +1 (416) 453.3371
[Goanet] 'Slumdog Millionaire' Detractors Say Child Actors Were Underpaid -Emily Wax 31 Jan. Asia Pacific washingtonpost.com
Danny Boyle should cough up some more moolah for the 'actors.' http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/30/AR2009013003 897.html rubygoes
Re: [Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire: Freida Pinto and Suzanne D'Mello
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ANKA SERVICES For all your Goa-based media needs - Newspapers and Electronic Media Newspaper Adverts, Press Releases, Press Conferences www.ankaservices.com kam...@ankaservices.com -Original Message- From: Eddie Fernandes Rene Barreto, who has been uncharacteristically silent... RESPONSE: He is on the road, soon to surface in Vasco, if not already there. Many thanks for the links to Dreams of Fire. Nice!! - B
[Goanet] Slumdog Millionaire: Freida Pinto and Suzanne D'Mello
* G * O * A * N * E * T C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ANKA SERVICES For all your Goa-based media needs - Newspapers and Electronic Media Newspaper Adverts, Press Releases, Press Conferences www.ankaservices.com kam...@ankaservices.com Rene Barreto, who has been uncharacteristically silent, wrote to Freida Pinto on 5th Jan 2009 to ask if she is a Goan and received an immediate response about her Mangalorean links. Incidentally, The Toronto Film Festival was the first major exposure of the film. Freida did not think much of its chances but because she has an aunt in Mississauga she had not seen for ages, decided to pay her a visit and was overwhelmed when it received the Best Film award. However there is a Goan connection with the film . Suzanne D'Mello: Slumdog Millionaire 14 Jan: Asia Times. A.R. Rahman who wrote the score for Slumdog Millionaire became the first Indian to win a Golden Globe. Rahman's haunting Dreams on Fire score in the film, rendered by Suzanne D'Mello, appears headed to become one of the smash hits of 2009. To listen to Dreams on Fire, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMFA3HfITx4 For the Suzanne D'Mello Wikipedia profile go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_D%27Mello Suzanne's website is under construction. For a photograph of Suzanne see http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/ Eddie Fernandes
