Recession-era America needed this feel-good Hollywood awards ceremony, highlighted by the beaming child stars from the movie Slumdog Millionaire. [MSNBC] (tip Anantha via Twitter)
Last year’s big winner, No Country for Old Men, had one of the most depressing storylines, to go with it’s equally depressing title.
Certainly, it was a notable contrast to last year, when darkness and cynicism ruled the nominated films, capped by best picture winner “No Country for Old Men,” about a homicidal sociopath. The collective subject matter was so bleak that host Jon Stewart was inspired to say of “Juno,” the one comedy: “Thank goodness for teen pregnancy!”
Contrast that with the buoyant tune set by this year’s edition of the Academy awards, led by none other than the kids of the winner, Slumdog Millionaire.
Maybe it was the adorable smile on that “Slumdog Millionaire” kid in his pint-sized tuxedo.
Or best director winner Danny Boyle bouncing in silly tribute to Trigger of “Winnie the Pooh.”
The grinning, top-hatted dad of best actress winner Kate Winslet, whistling like a champion to get his daughter’s attention.
In my mind, there were two striking moments from a desi perspective that stood out during the awards.
The first one was A.R.Rahman’s acceptance speech:
But for lines that epitomized the feel-good nature of the 81st Academy Awards, one could do no better than 43-year-old Indian composer A.R. Rahman, who won Oscars for both original soundtrack and original song from “Slumdog Millionaire.”
“All my life, I had a choice of hate and love,” Rahman said.
“I chose love, and I’m here.”
That’s some philosophy for you, courtesy the Mozart of Madras.
The last and most enduring image was that of one of the child stars of Slumdog Millionaire. After Slumdog won best picture and the entire crew came on stage, the camera zoomed into and focused on a beaming 10 year old Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, who hails from a Mumbai slum and played the younger version of Salim in the movie. At 10, one can only dream about winning an Oscar, let alone understanding the significance of it. This kid was not only part of an Oscar winning team but had done it coming from a background that was anything but conducive to this dream coming true. The smile said it all.
Reminded me of what Jay Nordlinger had to say about children on his visit to India. [UD]
And encounters with Indian children are almost invariably delightful. Show them a little attention or kindness, and you’ll have it returned, with interest. Kids are open, curious, laughy, grateful, fun-loving — just plain loving. (I generalize, heaven knows. But you can’t write without that.)
The smile was genuine, unrestrained and unadulterated, unlike the fake ones we are used to seeing on award shows that pro actors and models practice for hours just to flash on TV. This is the smile you would see on a street kid’s face in India when they’re doing “kid stuff” like chasing cars, flying kites or playing cricket. It was the smile of a happy kid from the streets of Mumbai. Controversial or not, that alone made it worth watching.
img: via MSNBC
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