FYI: Bandra is probably the most affluent neighborhood in Mumbai. It is certainly the most heavily populated with those in the film industry. Santa Cruz West is also an affluent neighborhood, though not necessarily in the league of Bandra. This has shades of "UES- ugh, no! I need Tribeca or don't bother." Every time this man opens his mouth, I despise what's coming out of it. I feel so sorry for this child.
(And to not misrepresent myself, I know this because my fiance is from Mumbai.) #slumdogmillionaire
I wonder what their long-term prospects will be, particularly if they do drop out of school. Surely the interest in Slumdog internationally will peter out soon, and then what? Do they have a future in showbiz in India? I don't want to start making assumptions about Indian society, but these kids are from the slums, and I wonder whether they are accepted as bona fide stars there, or looked down upon. Any Indian Jezzies who could enlighten us? #slumdogmillionaire
Don't hate the dad for not wanting to leave the only life he knows because his work contacts are there. Maybe he knows that in a few years no one will care about his daughter anymore, but he still will have to support his family. PS...you can totally hate on the things I have heard about him trying to sell/marry her off. #slumdogmillionaire
@PoisonPixie: No, Bandra isn't the slum where he lives, it's an even fancier neighborhood than the place where they were trying to buy the family an apartment. #slumdogmillionaire
(that sigh/sarcasm is meant for myself. Somedays it's good to remember, as I fuss at the size of my kitchen for not being big enough to cook a dinner party, about the real world.)
This whole thing just puts a bad taste in my mouth. I do realize what Danny Boyle was trying to do, but of course it smacks of Western paternalism. While I agree that the parents of child stars don't always (or ever? I'm trying to think of a child star who didn't get fucked up, and jodie foster's the only one I can come up with) have their best interests at heart, no one fusses when Miley Cyrus misses a day of school. This whole thing is just a little too "let us tell you how we would like you to live your lives, children of poverty. You can thank us later!" #slumdogmillionaire
honestly, if they can use the monthly allowance (the Rs.6000) and an incentive for these kids to go to school, they definitely should do. #slumdogmillionaire
God, I just don't know how I feel about all this. Whenever I hear more about how the Slumdog kids are doing, I just keep wondering if in a decade's time we're going to remember Danny Boyle as making a botched attempt to not exploit or enable the exploitation of the child actors who made his Oscar-winning film. It just seems like another example of Western culture swooping in without fully understanding what they're getting into. He got a beautiful film out of it, but at what cost? #slumdogmillionaire
@annebreal: Boyle has done more for these kids than any other director has done for any other actors in recent memory, barring the Born Into Brothels directors. No, he can't make sure that the rest of their lives are as amazing as the last few years have been, but he has done a lot to ensure that they are comfortable and provided for.
Rubina's dad always comes across as so calculating and greedy in interviews. He certainly does not seem to put her interests first when there's a possibility of squeezing some more money out of the situation. Nothing is ever enough for him. #slumdogmillionaire
@Hooplehead: I agree with you, I'm just not sure casting children from the slums was the best idea, you know? Child stardom is a bitch in and of itself, but the situation in this particular movie, with the particular kids he cast, is full of grey areas and mind-boggling cultural and ethical issues. I personally hope the very best for these kids, because if this fame causes huge upheaval and trauma in their lives, it was so unnecessary. It's just a movie. Again, I haven't really wrapped my head around what I think about it, especially because it concerns child stars in general, not just these kids and this movie, but Jesus, it's just a movie. #slumdogmillionaire
@annebreal: I get your point, but I think that people are going to complain and think Boyle is a colonialist jerk no matter how he handles this. Because he's white, from the UK, working with people who are Indian and the UK and Southeast Asia as a whole have a troubled history. But IMO, if he didn't cast slum kids, it would be people asking why not. Troubling overtones or not, the fact is that these kids' lives are full of many more possibilities than they were a few years ago, and that is because of Boyle. They have other offers, they are making money. Yes, child stardom is problematic, but if it eases what by all accounts is crushing poverty and gives them a chance at a stable life, so much the better, right?
@Hooplehead: this is my first time commenting, but i feel like i *have to* agree w/ you on this. having seen 1st hand the horrible conditions the poor live in in india and other 3rd world countries makes me feel that these kids lives are at least a little bit better. pitfalls of child stardom or not.
@annebreal: My frustration with the uproar is when people say that "he made all this money off the children, so he should give some of it back." Granted, the circumstances are different from a big Hollywood movie that employs middle-class American child actors, but how often do actors benefit from a movie *after* it has been released (unless they have a contract with percentages of box office grosses)? I think he's doing a great deal for these children -- and yes, some of it is misguided and has some uncomfortable cultural connotations -- but I don't quite understand why he's held to a higher "obligation" standard when that's just not the way things are done in the film industry. I mean, if it were up to me, I'd want these children to have everything they need while also respecting their complicated circumstances. The movie succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams, and I'm glad they've benefited. But I'm just weary of Boyle being labeled as "greedy" or being condemned for not doing "enough".
That said, I do agree with your comment about the culture swooping in without fully understanding what they've gotten into.
@annebreal: Yeah, I agree. Would they be better off never being involved in the film? But then, I think about the classic example of Drew Barrymore, and how she had no idea how to vote or anything about politics because she didn't go to school, and then she made this whole documentary about it. Her parents were horrible. So, I see what Boyle was trying to do with the education and trust money thing -- keep it away from the parents giving children the skills they'll need in adult life through education. Ultimately, with any situation regarding children, good parenting means everything. You can't really get around that. Then I think about JKF Jr. - he basically grew up with paparazzi up his butt -- but was a gracious, educated, well adjusted adult because his mom raised him well.
I guess the kids have a opportunities they wouldn't have had otherwise and without decent parents, that can be a horrible pitfall. #slumdogmillionaire
Since when is Chelsea Handler Aniston's PR woman? Really? You honestly don't think Jen plays up the lonely girl image for the press? Sure, I believe she is having a great time too, but I also think it's HER strategy to keep her name out there.
@ElleL: Ach, she is damned if she does and damned if she doesn't. In all her interviews she talks about how she is happy, content, not lonely etc. What more is she supposed to do? Take to sporting a sandwich board reading 'Me = not lonely'?
@ElleL: i thought it was kind of cool for Handler to stand up for Aniston, considering what an easy mark she is for comedians, whether she makes it for herself or not.
How can Jennifer Garner not swear? How on earth can saying "Rats!" make you feel better when you've missed the bus, or dropped your sandwich, or stubbed your toe?
@heykoukla: Eh, when my sister and I were little, my mom's go-to swear words were "rats" and "fiddlesticks" (I always wondered why she would pause so long on the "f," as in "fffffffffiidlesticks"). Edited to add: as an adult with a dirty mouth of my own, I now know why she got stuck on the "f" sound.
Now that we're mostly grown-ups, she lets the real curse words fly freely.
Sorry Chelsea (you know I love you) but if you're waking up with a margarita, then loneliness isn't you main problem. And why is it that whenever anyone wants to big up Ms. Aniston they feel the need to slag the Jolie-Pitt family.
@Highsmith: I think starting the day with a margarita whilst on holiday in Mexico with one's girlfriends is completely acceptable! Which I think is what Chelsea was getting at.
11/03/09
(And to not misrepresent myself, I know this because my fiance is from Mumbai.) #slumdogmillionaire
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(that sigh/sarcasm is meant for myself. Somedays it's good to remember, as I fuss at the size of my kitchen for not being big enough to cook a dinner party, about the real world.)
This whole thing just puts a bad taste in my mouth. I do realize what Danny Boyle was trying to do, but of course it smacks of Western paternalism. While I agree that the parents of child stars don't always (or ever? I'm trying to think of a child star who didn't get fucked up, and jodie foster's the only one I can come up with) have their best interests at heart, no one fusses when Miley Cyrus misses a day of school. This whole thing is just a little too "let us tell you how we would like you to live your lives, children of poverty. You can thank us later!" #slumdogmillionaire
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Rubina's dad always comes across as so calculating and greedy in interviews. He certainly does not seem to put her interests first when there's a possibility of squeezing some more money out of the situation. Nothing is ever enough for him. #slumdogmillionaire
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That said, I do agree with your comment about the culture swooping in without fully understanding what they've gotten into.
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I guess the kids have a opportunities they wouldn't have had otherwise and without decent parents, that can be a horrible pitfall. #slumdogmillionaire
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This is America! I can have both! I choose my choice!
09/23/09
How can they deal with that diva? While she is udderly cute, her performances aren't especially moo-ving.
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Now that we're mostly grown-ups, she lets the real curse words fly freely.
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