tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post38041156412176634..comments2024-01-29T11:25:25.529+01:00Comments on Writing Life: They Call It Poverty PornAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14934380378741960230noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-79490618452286000132009-03-02T16:47:00.000+01:002009-03-02T16:47:00.000+01:00Wow! I liked the term "poverty porn" and believe, ...Wow! I liked the term "poverty porn" and believe, it sums up the deal. I also like the term "gutter realism" picked up from an uncle who reads the New Yorker a lot:)<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing your perspective, and it was indeed, a delight to know that you've read the original manuscript by Vikas Swarup.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-42158145205311899752009-02-17T14:51:00.000+01:002009-02-17T14:51:00.000+01:00Now you know how we Pakistanis feel when we're ask...Now you know how we Pakistanis feel when we're asked about terrorism!Binahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378276246102022635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-8750403653265032152009-02-15T21:08:00.000+01:002009-02-15T21:08:00.000+01:00BS, thanks for pointing out the nationality of the...BS, thanks for pointing out the nationality of the author and who calls whom a dog. I did know the first as I do read, contrary to the stereotype associated with my name.<BR/><BR/>No amount of context quoting by anyone would alter the fact that this particular movie is by the westerner for the westerners. It does not matter how bad the reality; the fact of the matter is that the entire narrative on India is now about the slums and the gangs. My co-workers ask me have you seen the movie. "Oh, it is so cool. I am so interested in India and this movie is so real. So unlike the bollywood kitsch. I hope it wins the Oscar." WTF, now everybody is an expert on India.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-72987650919574763752009-02-15T19:34:00.000+01:002009-02-15T19:34:00.000+01:00And just to put it in context - in the movie, the ...And just to put it in context - in the movie, the only time Jamal gets called a slumdog is by the police officer investigating his performance on the quiz show, and it's clearly shown that the man is being horrible and condescending towards Jamal. The entire movie is meant to contradict the name-calling.Binahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378276246102022635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-23599147350568748032009-02-15T19:33:00.000+01:002009-02-15T19:33:00.000+01:00Uh...Banta Singh... you DO know the book was writt...Uh...Banta Singh... you DO know the book was written by an Indian, right?Binahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378276246102022635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-1600024539078975152009-02-14T18:27:00.000+01:002009-02-14T18:27:00.000+01:00I will NOT watch the movie. Any movie that tries ...I will NOT watch the movie. Any movie that tries to depict India or aspects of Indian life is never going to meet my obviously biased bar for what the Indian story is. Anyone who even thinks for a second that the movie has been handled with care and empathy is clearly smoking the wrong shit and has never been poor in their life ever.<BR/><BR/>You can't call a poor man or any man a dog in India and think that they are just being true to the indignity of the poor man's life in India. We treat our dogs better than our poor and yet would be insulted in every religious way if anyone calls them dogs. No one likes to be caricatured by others especially not by the estwhile imperial bastards who in no small measure made India what it is today (both good and bad). Whenever a westerner makes a movie or writes a book or paints a picture of India they are responsible for all the baggage that comes with being a white westerner. It does not matter whether they are biased; they are and will always be. Perception is reality. <BR/><BR/>We don't need 'foriegners' to find our flaws and promote our inadequacies. And especially spare me the hack who tries to sell us as being ok. We can kick ourselves and sell ourselves and do everything else without them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-19645179747251207542009-02-13T14:23:00.000+01:002009-02-13T14:23:00.000+01:00I watched the movie and didn't have a problem with...I watched the movie and didn't have a problem with any of it. I think it's been handled with a lot of sensitivity and empathy on the part of the filmmakers. But it also manages to be uplifting. The protestors are wrong on this one, in my opinion. And Amitabh Bachan is just mad because he was portrayed in the movie in a very amusing way.Binahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09378276246102022635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-73005275780364886022009-02-13T10:37:00.000+01:002009-02-13T10:37:00.000+01:00Gosh, thanks! Now I wish I had proofread the damn ...Gosh, thanks! Now I wish I had proofread the damn thing before posting it...but heck that's what blogging is about, huh?Jawaharahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08218732369966415963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15082857.post-84485514741286242112009-02-12T17:52:00.000+01:002009-02-12T17:52:00.000+01:00Jawahara,I am moved by your critique and will shar...Jawahara,<BR/><BR/>I am moved by your critique and will share it, in its entirety, with my Intercultural Communication class. We're discussing how culture impacts perceptions--and how negative stereotypes--or fixed perceptions--are perpetuated when constantly reinforced by pop culture. Many/most moviegoers won't explore for real truths.<BR/><BR/>I would also love to see a more balanced image of your great country. <BR/><BR/>I appreciate your honesty & ultimate objectivity.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/>Judyjudith busseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415487576083170583noreply@blogger.com