Slumdog Millionaire was deeply impressed the firangs, so much that it has garnered a maximum of 10 nominations. A source reports, “Smile Pinki a 39 minute short film in Hindi and Bhojpuri, directed by Emmy-nominated producer Megan Mylan has also been nominated in the ‘Best Short Documentary’ category.
Set in Varanasi, Smile Pinki revolves around a six-year-old girl from Mirzapur named Pinki who cannot go to school because of her cleft lips.
A simple surgery can fix her cleft lips, but instead she has to face social ostracism, until she meets Pankaj, a social worker who ensures that Pinki gets a free surgery.
Another film in the running for the ‘Best Short Documentary’ Oscar is The Final Inch by Irene Taylor Brodsky and Tom Grant. Once again, set in India, this documentary deals with the protagonist Muhammed Gulzar’s battle with polio.
The Final Inch highlights efforts to eradicate polio in India, through his story.”
Quite strange… all these films, although are made on India… but they are made by non-Indians… Does the west need western directors to show them what India is? Why doesn’t an Indian director gets so much respect and honor from them? Does it mean the Oscars are biased? Or does it mean the western directors can see India better than our Indian directors?
What do you say?