Let me start with this disclaimer: I loved the film SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE.
I’m not the only one. The indie film about a Muslim kid name Jamal Malik from the slums of Mumbai who earns his way through the popular TV show Who Wants to be Millionaire has garnered accolades from audiences and critics since it’s first showing, culminating with this week’s receipt of the prestigious Nbr (National Board Review award) which apparently, amongst those who know, is generally considered a solid prognosticator for the Oscars.
I already blogged a few days ago about Slumdog after I saw if for the first time. I’ve subsequently seen it two more times, dragging my wife and then another family member to insure that they too would see it. I’m that guy in the theater that leans over to the person sitting next to me whispering: “this scene is my favorite…check this out…wasn’t that awesome…I love this song…etc.”
But I’m blogging again now because today I had a chance to talk to Danny Boyle the film-maker behind Slumdog about not just the film, but the deeper story and context behind it and why he does what he does. Click on the link to hear the whole interview which touches on a variety of things, but most notably the idea of story-telling and how it can change the world.
Without getting all heady on you, here’s the jewel in the crown. We live in conflicted times. Economies and ecologies are crumbling. Wars are raging and Mavericks and Martyrs, sinners and saints, Jihadis and jingoists are all separated by a razor’s edge. Still, some stories rise above the noise and make a difference, contribute in a way to a planetary dialogue about who we are, where we are going, and why we believe that no matter the dire circumstance we may find ourselves in, there is always the chance that we might endure it and succeed. Danny Boyle gets this. Slumdog is a courageous film, a “rags to Raja” tale that combines the best of Hollywood and Bollywood in a way that no other film I have ever seen does. It’s a triumph in every sense of the word.
But more than that, Slumdog is part of an emerging mythology. Beyond the perfectly executed melodrama of Jamal Malik and his brother Salim is a tale that is raging all across our globe, in bustling metropolis’ just like Mumbai where today even kids from the slums can dare to dream about winning it all. Right now, we need that dream more than ever.
Listen to the interview. Watch the movie. Become a Danny Boyle fan. You’ll feel better about the world and feel better about yourself. Chances are I’ll be sitting in the theater right next to you whispering: “I told you so…”
Listen to Gotham Chopra’s interview postcast with Danny Boyle
Read more blogs by Gotham Chopra
Interview transcription courtesy of kavitachhibber.com
About Gotham Chopra
Gotham Chopra is a multi-media voice on issues of spirituality, culture, and news.
As an anchor for Channel One News -- an in-school educational news
broadcast seen daily by upwards of 8 million American students --
Gotham reported from Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Egypt, China, India,
Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Colombia, Russia, Chechnya,
Mexico, Honduras, all across Europe and the United States. He has
interviewed a wide range of Global leaders -- from President Bush to
the Dalai Lama to associates and foot soldiers of Osama Bin Laden. He
has hosted events as diverse as the Pope's pep rally in St. Louis to
the action at the fifty-yard line at the Superbowl. Gotham's global
assignments have sent him on patrol with anti-militant commando units
in war torn Kashmir and had him detained by secret police in China,
Iran, and Pakistan.
Gotham is the author of Familiar Strangers (Random House 2002)
-- a non-fiction and spiritual chronicle of his travels and encounters
at the frontlines of areas in conflict and transition.
Gotham served as Story Editor on the Bulletproof Monk -- a
comic book about bullets, monks, gangs, and seekers. He also served as
Executive Producer of the feature Film with John Woo's Lion Rock Films
and MGM Studios, which appeared in theaters in 2003. He is also author
of Child of the Dawn, a novel published in 1996 and translated in 13
languages internationally. He recorded The Mythical Lover on A Gift of
Love -- a recording of sensual poetry by the 13th Century poet Rumi,
and has served as researcher and lyrical advisor to Michael Jackson on
the multi-platinum albums Dangerous and HIStory. He has also served as
Producer on television specials for PBS.
As co-founder of 5K Entertainment, Gotham wrote, is producing,
and will direct the indy feature Swindle. He is also the co-creator of
K Lounge -- a Kama Sutra bar and lounge in New York City with more to
launch internationally in 2005.
As co-founder of Chopra Media and a partner in Intent Media (with
Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur), Gotham is involved in a wide-array of
creative media ventures. He is the President of development for Gotham
Studios Asia, the largest comic book studio in India.
Currently Gotham is serving as creative consultant to Current TV, a new
television network co-founded by former Vice-President Al Gore, and
scheduled to launch in 20 million American households in August 2005.
Identified by Newsweek Magazine (March 04) as one of the "most
powerful and influential" South Asians worth watching, Gotham speaks
nationally on issues of youth and spirituality, conflict resolution,
and develops workshops to create a language for young people to bring
out the internal and external issues that important to them.
yes…Well said.
"Still, some stories rise above the noise and make a difference, contribute in a way to a planetary dialogue about who we are, where we are going, and why we believe that no matter the dire circumstance we may find ourselves in, there is always the chance that we might endure it and succeed."
So utterly important to share vital stories of hope everywhere, as well as to help support them, inspire them, share them and create/ manifest them!
Blessings and cheer, Rebekah
I hope the Movie Theatres here which are really now dominated by one multiplex chain which uses God knows what type of selection process for the films they show but have managed to keep me away from cinemas for much of the year will choose to show it…will definitely check it out if they do…it sounds like a very touching and meaningful film from the looks of it.
Other than 'Australia' which I went to see last weekend cause some people wanted to go as a group on what in Trinidad is called a 'lime' equivalent to the US 'hanging out' or 'just chillin' I guess. And was OK. As I said I've been staying away from films. I mean with names like 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' showing in theatres.
I've only been to the Trinidad and Tobago film festival that had some independent films one called Almost Heaven which I really liked and blogged about. Documentaries about V.S. Naipaul and I had a brief chat with the director of that documentary done for the BBC after the showing as he was present as part of the festival but I've not blogged about it due to laziness since October! Although a couple weekends ago I took the pics of Lion House which inspired A House for Mr Biswas whether or not Naipaul admits it or not so hopefully I will blog bout that encounter this weekend.
Thanks for sharing the director's perspective with us here…it is always interesting.
Beautifully told stories of hope…….a gift to us now during these days of turmoil. We know that we are physical beings in a spiritual body and that as we enact the drama of our day to day lives in this earth school, we can feel and manifest the beauty of truth.
Thank you for this wonderful post.
Thanks Gotham. Now, I want to see the movie.
Cheers, Char
Hey Gotham-I had the chance to see this movie over Thanksgiving weekend. Every show was pre-sold out on the Westside in LA where I live. I know they are expanding to 600 more screens this week, which is amazing. Heard that the folks at Miramax were super pissed that they took a pass–c'est la vie, that's Hollywood…
This movie is the sleeper winner of the holiday season. The story line and arc are clever and fresh–not the same old Horatio Alger's plot. I love the gritty shooting and editing. The homage dance scene at the end is brilliant and fun.
This is a must see sleeper!
Linda LaRue
http://www.LindaLaRue.com
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The world's a mess. The world is beautiful. It's been like that from the beginning, now, and forever will be.
Remember one of the 3 temptations of the Buddha was Dharma. The Lord Kama said, "What are you doing sitting here? You're a prince. Can't you see the world is going to hell? You must do something!"
That was like 500BC. The world has always been going to hell. But its one hell of a show, and I'm sure I'll enjoy this show inside the show as well. Thanks for bringing it up. I look forward to seeing it and listening to your interview.
one of the most amazing films i have ever seen. truly incredible!!! loved it.
Glad to see you all enjoyed this movie as well. At http://www.movieset.com, we've covered the film's production from development to distribution and think it's cool to see an arty movie get so much attention. Visit our Slumdog Millionaire sitelet for behind the scenes interviews with director Danny Boyle, and actors Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, screenwriter Simon Beaufoy and producer Christian Colson. Check out our on set footage of the cast and crew as they shoot the film including some B roll footage i havent seen anywhere else. We also have production stills and all the latest news items from the show at http://www.movieset.com
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