Spring Break
Column: Let's hear it for Bollywood
Films like 'Slumdog Millionaire' part of Oscars' future
Chris Kromphardt / Columnist
Issue date: 1/12/09 Section: Opinions
With the advent of winter, American cinephiles have come to anticipate the arrival of a slew of new films strategically timed to compete for the Oscars.
The incentive for film studios to release their "best" movies as close to award season as possible to build up a buzz is so great that theaters can be overwhelmed by the glut of "films" and blockbuster Hollywood "movies" competing for screen space. Of course, that is not to say that the most ardent fan will not be able to see "Milk" or "Gran Torino;" one just has to look a bit harder.
This search can serve as a metaphor for many of these Oscar bait films. These films tend to emphasize acting or artistic storytelling, which many moviegoers tend to eschew in favor of movies with big explosions. However, those who see these films are able to dig a little deeper into what cinema can offer and maybe even catch a glimpse of its future.
Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" is one such Oscar hopeful. Set in Mumbai, the film tells the story of Jamal, a "slumdog" who manages to find himself on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Against all odds, this uneducated pauper finds himself knowing answer after answer thanks to the experiences he has endured in his young, tragic life.
Boyle, a director best known for films like "Trainspotting" and "28 Days Later," threw his fans a curve ball with "Slumdog Millionaire." While the director rarely works within the same genre, his decision to expand his traditionally British oeuvre with a film set in India highlights the attraction of this flourishing Asian country.
India has long had its own movie industry, which is often referred to generally as Bollywood. "Slumdog Millionaire" is not the only example of India's growing presence in American theaters. In 2007, Wes Anderson, an auteur best known for quirky independent films like "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Rushmore," released "The Darjeeling Limited," which was characteristically Anderson, but took place primarily on a train traveling through India. With "Slumdog" and "Darjeeling," Boyle and Anderson's love letters to India, they captivated audiences with stories that embraced the majesty of the country.
If "Slumdog" is nominated for an Oscar, it might very well go the way of past Oscar darlings like "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Juno," from being little-seen to skyrocketing in popularity when the larger American audience gave them a chance. Also, those films' success sparked a trend of similar films; "Darjeeling" and "Slumdog" have the potential to inspire similar demand for Indian films in American markets. Potentially surpassing the influence of consumer demand is a recent business deal. In a move to distance itself from Paramount, Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Studios successfully partnered with Reliance Big Entertainment, an Indian-based firm that invested $1.6 billion in the company.
Clearly, directors are taking a shine to India, and India is in turn investing in Hollywood. While this may lead to a more Indian-flavored American cinescape, ultimately it's up to the moviegoers and their tastes. Could "Slumdog" be this year's "Juno"?
Chris Kromphardt can be reached at 581-7942 or at ckromphardt@eiu.edu.
The incentive for film studios to release their "best" movies as close to award season as possible to build up a buzz is so great that theaters can be overwhelmed by the glut of "films" and blockbuster Hollywood "movies" competing for screen space. Of course, that is not to say that the most ardent fan will not be able to see "Milk" or "Gran Torino;" one just has to look a bit harder.
This search can serve as a metaphor for many of these Oscar bait films. These films tend to emphasize acting or artistic storytelling, which many moviegoers tend to eschew in favor of movies with big explosions. However, those who see these films are able to dig a little deeper into what cinema can offer and maybe even catch a glimpse of its future.
Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" is one such Oscar hopeful. Set in Mumbai, the film tells the story of Jamal, a "slumdog" who manages to find himself on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Against all odds, this uneducated pauper finds himself knowing answer after answer thanks to the experiences he has endured in his young, tragic life.
Boyle, a director best known for films like "Trainspotting" and "28 Days Later," threw his fans a curve ball with "Slumdog Millionaire." While the director rarely works within the same genre, his decision to expand his traditionally British oeuvre with a film set in India highlights the attraction of this flourishing Asian country.
India has long had its own movie industry, which is often referred to generally as Bollywood. "Slumdog Millionaire" is not the only example of India's growing presence in American theaters. In 2007, Wes Anderson, an auteur best known for quirky independent films like "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "Rushmore," released "The Darjeeling Limited," which was characteristically Anderson, but took place primarily on a train traveling through India. With "Slumdog" and "Darjeeling," Boyle and Anderson's love letters to India, they captivated audiences with stories that embraced the majesty of the country.
If "Slumdog" is nominated for an Oscar, it might very well go the way of past Oscar darlings like "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Juno," from being little-seen to skyrocketing in popularity when the larger American audience gave them a chance. Also, those films' success sparked a trend of similar films; "Darjeeling" and "Slumdog" have the potential to inspire similar demand for Indian films in American markets. Potentially surpassing the influence of consumer demand is a recent business deal. In a move to distance itself from Paramount, Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Studios successfully partnered with Reliance Big Entertainment, an Indian-based firm that invested $1.6 billion in the company.
Clearly, directors are taking a shine to India, and India is in turn investing in Hollywood. While this may lead to a more Indian-flavored American cinescape, ultimately it's up to the moviegoers and their tastes. Could "Slumdog" be this year's "Juno"?
Chris Kromphardt can be reached at 581-7942 or at ckromphardt@eiu.edu.
The Daily Eastern News encourages on-topic, civil discussion on its articles posted online. It is our policy not to screen comments before they are posted or edit them after they are posted. However, we reserve the right to remove comments that are off-topic, malicious, libelous or include excessive foul language. The DEN also reserves the right to turn off all comments on any story it deems necessary.
Comments violating copyright law will also be removed.
Users who repeatedly violate this policy will be banned from commenting.
If you have any questions on our comment policy or wish to report a comment that you feel violates these standards, please e-mail a link to the article to our Online Editor at DENNews.com@gmail.com.
Be the first to comment on this story