It's A Winner!
A much-acclaimed film, winner of a handful of Academy awards for its humane, kindly, upbeat portrayal of life in one of India's many slums, where people, despite their miserable living conditions, lack of opportunities to better themselves, make their own jobs (recycling, garbage-picking). To eke out a bare subsistence, remain good-natured and hopeful, value life, and in the process, through the medium of the film, Slumdog Millionaire, show the rest of us the inner meaning of life.
That, in any event, is the good-news story about slum-dwellers and their resourceful embrace of life; somewhat in the category of people not really minding that they're poor, and living more satisfying, meaningful lives than those of us who can afford to go to a movie house and watch an entertaining film about their struggles. Reality is often so different than what we would like to believe it is; it is too harrowing for people of good will to acknowledge that in the developed world we live lives of casual waste.
Whaaat exploitation? The children were natural thespians. They had an extraordinary opportunity to experience something about life, opportunities and a style of living they could never envisage up to that time, in their wildest dreams. They had a brief and glorious taste of another kind of existence, one to which they most certainly could become accustomed. But to take them away from what they know best, to remove them from the slums they so adore? It would just be so unfair.
They earned the going rate for inexperienced and untrained actors. Little matter that their innate abilities, sweet sensibilities and generous natures made the film what it was, a runaway success, an Oscar-guaranteed triumph. And oh yes, certain sums were put away for their future educations. Well-looked-after, they were. And after their brief stint of glory, restored to the loving embrace of their poverty-stricken families.
It will help to strengthen his character. After all, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Doesn't it? Well, doesn't it? When he gets older some North American publisher will rescue him from back from obscurity, pay him a handsome retainer to write the story of his life. It'll be a best-seller.
In the meantime, here's some recommended light reading:
India - A Million Mutinies Now - V.S. Naipaul
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
Enjoy! 
That, in any event, is the good-news story about slum-dwellers and their resourceful embrace of life; somewhat in the category of people not really minding that they're poor, and living more satisfying, meaningful lives than those of us who can afford to go to a movie house and watch an entertaining film about their struggles. Reality is often so different than what we would like to believe it is; it is too harrowing for people of good will to acknowledge that in the developed world we live lives of casual waste.
Whaaat exploitation? The children were natural thespians. They had an extraordinary opportunity to experience something about life, opportunities and a style of living they could never envisage up to that time, in their wildest dreams. They had a brief and glorious taste of another kind of existence, one to which they most certainly could become accustomed. But to take them away from what they know best, to remove them from the slums they so adore? It would just be so unfair.
They earned the going rate for inexperienced and untrained actors. Little matter that their innate abilities, sweet sensibilities and generous natures made the film what it was, a runaway success, an Oscar-guaranteed triumph. And oh yes, certain sums were put away for their future educations. Well-looked-after, they were. And after their brief stint of glory, restored to the loving embrace of their poverty-stricken families.
SLUMDOG MOVIE STAR MADE HOMELESS AFTER CITY DESTROYS FAMILY'S SHANTYNot to worry. He's only ten years old. He has his whole life ahead of him. These people are resilient. They will rebound, find another place to live. They're accustomed to the adversities of life, not like you and me. This will not result in trauma of any kind for the family, for the boy. He's had some extraordinary opportunities in his young life, some experiences that will help him face life's little set-backs.
By Barney Henderson
Mumbai
A child star of the film Slumdog Millionaire became homeless on Thursday after authorities here demolished his family's home, which they said was built illegally.
Azharuddin Ismail, 10, who was plucked from the Indian city's slums by Danny Boyle, the director, to play the character Salim in the movie, cried as workers arrived unannounced and pulled down the shanty dwelling built on a council garden.
Afterwards, members of his family huddled around the few belongings they had managed to stuff into plastic bags.
Azharuddin held his prized possession, a ripped promotional poster for the film on which Danny Boyle had written: "Azhar, With love and thanks, Danny Boyle X."
"A policeman woke us all up early this morning, shouting", he said. "He threatened me with a bamboo stick .... I was very scared.
"I wish Danny-uncle would come. I don't know what will happen now. We are sitting here in the blazing sun. A lot of our things have been destroyed."
His mother, Shameen Ismail, said they had been given no warning.
"We are now left with no roof over our head tonight and the monsoon will begin in a few weeks. We have lived here for 15 years", she added.
A spokesman for the city council said the slums were illegal constructions.
The Daily Telegraph
It will help to strengthen his character. After all, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Doesn't it? Well, doesn't it? When he gets older some North American publisher will rescue him from back from obscurity, pay him a handsome retainer to write the story of his life. It'll be a best-seller.
In the meantime, here's some recommended light reading:
India - A Million Mutinies Now - V.S. Naipaul
A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
Enjoy!
Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who played young Salim in "Slumdog Millionaire," is now homeless.
Labels: Environment, Human Relations, societal failures, Whoops
posted by Pieface @ 6:12 PM
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