REWINE | DVD REVIEWS REVIEWS | SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE ON BLU-RAY | DONNE TEMPO
Slumdog Millionaire Deserved the Prize
(Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. $25.99 for Blu-Ray)By Jacquie Kubin
Speaking to those one meets during the day, surprisingly few have seen Slumdog Millionaire. Even with the films incredible library of awards, including eight Academy Award Oscars.
Well yes, but really no.
Slumdog is the story of Jamal (Dev Patel), his brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) and a young girl, Latika (Freida Pinto). These children, first seen at an early age, seven to eight years of age living in the Muslim Slums of Mumbai India.
The film opens with the stories end. Jamal, as a young man. He is being tortured, charged as a criminal, a cheater, because how could something that is as nothing as a slumdog win an unwinnable prize without cheating. Jamal, who has been ridiculed by the game show host for his position in life, has reached the final question on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire.
It is a game that no one ever wins.
A gritty opening of a young man, barely more than a teen, being brutalized at the hands of the “law” offer a stark bit of realism offers the viewers a bold glimpse into the harshness of living in a lawless land.
Through a series of cinematic flashbacks, Jamal explains how he was able to know each answer. We learn that Jamal lives through an impossibly impoverished childhood filled with violence against children, rape, theft and murder.
We also learn jow his life - as impoverished as it was, gave him the knowledge he needed to win 20 million rupees!
What we see, more than just how Jamal acquired this knowledge, is that Jamal’s desire to live, to achieve what he holds most dear, overcomes his life’s harshest realities.
And this reminds us that everyday things happen that we would be wise to remember.
Even those too painful to recall.
His life as a boy orphaned in the slums of Mumbai, India does serve to make him stronger as he battles “Tom Jones” like questions of virtue and vice while living in a world without morals.
This gives the viewer hope that it may turn out all right.
Slumdog Millionaire is about Jamal, but it is also about the children of the Mumbai Slums and how what little they have, the love of their mothers, is shattered when a Hindu pogrom attacks their Muslim neighborhood, leaving orphans abandoned by their life's cruel realities. (This is based on the real-life anti-Muslim riots of 2002 during which Hindu fanatics killed around 2,000 people, most of the Muslim, in the Indian state of Gujarat.)
For those who wish to keep their heads in the sand, it is hard to internalize that what we see is real. This is how people, how children live. And not only in India. Children live in abject poverty and abuse all over the world.
And if that which Jamal endured, often with the great humor, optimism and excitement of a child, did not lead to hope, the life of these children would have been too painful for this viewer to endure.
Slumdog Millionaire would not be the incredible, cinematic rollercoaster of images and sounds that it is.
It is with great brilliance that the story of Jamal begins with hope amongst so much that is hopeless. Director Danny Boyle brings us a brilliant look at the colors of the slums and its many shades of teal, red, yellow that shine brightly from the grey dull of the dust and metal roofs that umbrella the homes.
Where putting one’s privileged American self into this life is incomprehensible, Boyle has embraced the Mumbai slums and the many colors reflected in blue skies, green wetlands, even the many colors of the yards deep trash mountain that surrounds them.
With Boyle’s acceptance, we can accept the reality of this world. A world too brutal to accept, perhaps, however it is a world filled with hope – hope for change, a better life, the meager minimum needed to survive.
Out of even the Mumbai Slums grows love.
Jamal’s story is one of perseverance; that that which does not kill us only serves to make us stronger. And that perseverance’s core is Jamal’s love for another young orphan, Latika, a love that is “written” on his soul.
A love that brings the poignancy of these orphans lives and their reliance on each other for survival from very infancy, to light.
EXTRAS ON THE BLU-RAY
A film as brilliantly shot as Slumdog
Millionaire has numerous incredible highlights
on the Blu-Ray disk, including the brisk
Digital Copy aspects.
It is quite fascinating to watch director Danny Boyle’s features where he is working with the children who play Jamal (Ayush Mahest Khedekar), Salim (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail) and Latika (Rubina Ali) at their youngest and middle ages (Tanay Chheda, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, and Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar respectively).
Commentary with Producer Christian Colson and Screenwriter Beaufoy add plenty of worthwhile viewing that provides a behind the scenes look at this stellar film.
Also worth the price of the Blu-Ray is the Bombay Liquid Dance Music Video and the exclusive short film Manjah. At over 41 minutes, Manjha is a black and white film that is significantly edgier than Slumdog Millionaire while visiting many of same darker issues.
Blu-ray Disc With Digital Copy Specs
Slumdog Millionaire will be presented in widescreen format (2.35:1aspect ratio) with English/Hindi 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio. Bonus features include:
• Disc One
o Slumdog Dreams: Danny Boyle & The Making of Slumdog Millionaire
o Deleted Scenes:
• Chase Through Slums Longer Version
• Boys At Container Yard/Beanbags/Yellow Dress
• Prem At Police Station
• Frederick Stevens Question
• Jamal at Opera, Boys Leave Agra
• Jamal Searches, finds Arvind
• Chowpatty Beach And Tulip Star
• Jamal Returns To Tulip Star
• Jamal Wakes In Slum
• "Why Can't You Leave It Alone"
• Jamal Loses Latika, Calls Salim
• The Folder
o From Script To Screen: Toilet Scene
o Indian Short Film - Manjha
o Bombay Liquid Dance Music Video
o Commentary by Director Danny Boyle and Actor Dev Patel
o Commentary by Producer Christian Colson and writer Simon Beaufoy
o Slumdog Cutdown
• Disc Two
o Digital Copy
It is quite fascinating to watch director Danny Boyle’s features where he is working with the children who play Jamal (Ayush Mahest Khedekar), Salim (Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail) and Latika (Rubina Ali) at their youngest and middle ages (Tanay Chheda, Ashutosh Lobo Gajiwala, and Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar respectively).
Commentary with Producer Christian Colson and Screenwriter Beaufoy add plenty of worthwhile viewing that provides a behind the scenes look at this stellar film.
Also worth the price of the Blu-Ray is the Bombay Liquid Dance Music Video and the exclusive short film Manjah. At over 41 minutes, Manjha is a black and white film that is significantly edgier than Slumdog Millionaire while visiting many of same darker issues.
Blu-ray Disc With Digital Copy Specs
Slumdog Millionaire will be presented in widescreen format (2.35:1aspect ratio) with English/Hindi 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio. Bonus features include:
• Disc One
o Slumdog Dreams: Danny Boyle & The Making of Slumdog Millionaire
o Deleted Scenes:
• Chase Through Slums Longer Version
• Boys At Container Yard/Beanbags/Yellow Dress
• Prem At Police Station
• Frederick Stevens Question
• Jamal at Opera, Boys Leave Agra
• Jamal Searches, finds Arvind
• Chowpatty Beach And Tulip Star
• Jamal Returns To Tulip Star
• Jamal Wakes In Slum
• "Why Can't You Leave It Alone"
• Jamal Loses Latika, Calls Salim
• The Folder
o From Script To Screen: Toilet Scene
o Indian Short Film - Manjha
o Bombay Liquid Dance Music Video
o Commentary by Director Danny Boyle and Actor Dev Patel
o Commentary by Producer Christian Colson and writer Simon Beaufoy
o Slumdog Cutdown
• Disc Two
o Digital Copy
ABOUT THE BOOK AND MOVIE
The film is based on the 2005 book “Q&A” by
Vikas Swarup, an Indian author and diplomat.
Screenwriter Simon Beaufoy deserves credit for
focusing the story’s soul on Jamal’s quest for
Latika and how that love overcame what could be
viewed as the absolute misery of his life.
The film is brilliantly constructed to keep that which is despairing from becoming overwhelming. Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (The Last King of Scotland) opens the camera to allow the frenetic layers of India through. Editor Chris Dickens keeps the pace fast, and uplifting.
The music, A.R. Rahman won an Oscar for best original score, introduces whole generations of people to the sounds of India.
The film is brilliantly constructed to keep that which is despairing from becoming overwhelming. Cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle (The Last King of Scotland) opens the camera to allow the frenetic layers of India through. Editor Chris Dickens keeps the pace fast, and uplifting.
The music, A.R. Rahman won an Oscar for best original score, introduces whole generations of people to the sounds of India.
FOOD TO VIEW BY - Humus and Breads
A large variety of Indian foods are readily
available in supermarkets and specialty food
stores, making a movie night get together super
simple.
Indian cultures offers a variety of breads ranging from the tortilla like Roti or the oven baked Naan to the bowl shaped Poori.
Poori are small round pancakes size rounds of dough that are slipped into hot oil or ghee. When cooking, the Poor quickly fill with steam, ballooning out in seconds.
Pooris are soft silk like breads with which curries and vegetables are scooped up.
Recipes and more information can be found at Food-India.com http://www.food-india.com
2.5 cups chappati flour*
2/3 cup water at room temperature ghee for brushing the bread while rolling out the dough
Oil for deep frying
Chappati flour is defined as whole meal flour and is defined also as atta, a wheat flour that has been used in India for over 5,000 years. This flour is low-gluten, soft-textured wheat flower that is suited to making Indian flat breads.
Find chappati, or atta, at specialty or Indian Food markets. If you cannot find it locally, Patel Bros. has an online store featuring Indian foods http://www.patelbrothersusa.com.
Dough Method:
Put flour in a large bowl, making a well in the middle. Pour a stream of water in the center. Use one hand to mix the flour and water in a rotating motion from the center of the bowl outward. The dough should be equally moist and able to gather into a rough mass.
Wet hands and continue until the mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and has become a nonsticky, kneadable dough.
When the dough is kneaded, it will be elastic and silky smooth. To test the dough, press it lightly with a fingertip. If it springs back, it is ready to be rested.
Resting the dough is the last step and allows the dough to relax and absorb the water and kneading. Rest for 1/2 hour in warm climates and 1.5 hours in cold climates. Cover with a wet towel so the dough does not dry out. The rested dough is light and springy, less resistant to being rolled out into the thin rounds.
I like to mix, knead, rest and then refrigerated for convenience and use daily. My dough lasts in the refrigerator for about 5 days. It also makes rolling out easier than the freshly made dough.
Method to roll out the dough:
Make a stiff but pliable dough by combining the Chappati* flour and water.
Cover the dough with damp cloth and set aside for 30 minutes.
Knead dough a little again. Dough should be stiff enough to roll without extra flour.
Divide dought into small balls, covering with damp cloth.
Dip a corner of dough ball in the melted ghee or oil and roll it out into 4 to 5 inches round.
Repeat the same process to roll out all pooris.
Frying the Pooris:
Heat plenty of oil in a kadhai until very hot.
Put in a poori and immediately start flickering hot oil over the top of it with a spatula so that it will swell up like a ball.
This should take only a few seconds. Flip the poori over and cook the other side until golden brown.
Serve hot with curries or vegetables.
Serve with Humus, Chutney, Yogurt dip
2 cups yogurt (I prefer the thicker Greek yogurts such as the Fage brand).
1 cup water
8 tablespoon sugar (or according to your choice)
Chopped fruit such as mango, strawberries, coconut or bananas.
Preparation:
Pour a cup of water into the yogurt.
Add sugar honey to taste.
Beat/churn yogurt till it becomes smooth and liquid. It should be frothy. Add fruit as desired
Serve chilled.
Indian cultures offers a variety of breads ranging from the tortilla like Roti or the oven baked Naan to the bowl shaped Poori.
Poori are small round pancakes size rounds of dough that are slipped into hot oil or ghee. When cooking, the Poor quickly fill with steam, ballooning out in seconds.
Pooris are soft silk like breads with which curries and vegetables are scooped up.
Recipes and more information can be found at Food-India.com http://www.food-india.com
Pooris Bread
Ingredients:2.5 cups chappati flour*
2/3 cup water at room temperature ghee for brushing the bread while rolling out the dough
Oil for deep frying
Chappati flour is defined as whole meal flour and is defined also as atta, a wheat flour that has been used in India for over 5,000 years. This flour is low-gluten, soft-textured wheat flower that is suited to making Indian flat breads.
Find chappati, or atta, at specialty or Indian Food markets. If you cannot find it locally, Patel Bros. has an online store featuring Indian foods http://www.patelbrothersusa.com.
Dough Method:
Put flour in a large bowl, making a well in the middle. Pour a stream of water in the center. Use one hand to mix the flour and water in a rotating motion from the center of the bowl outward. The dough should be equally moist and able to gather into a rough mass.
Wet hands and continue until the mixture cleans the sides of the bowl and has become a nonsticky, kneadable dough.
When the dough is kneaded, it will be elastic and silky smooth. To test the dough, press it lightly with a fingertip. If it springs back, it is ready to be rested.
Resting the dough is the last step and allows the dough to relax and absorb the water and kneading. Rest for 1/2 hour in warm climates and 1.5 hours in cold climates. Cover with a wet towel so the dough does not dry out. The rested dough is light and springy, less resistant to being rolled out into the thin rounds.
I like to mix, knead, rest and then refrigerated for convenience and use daily. My dough lasts in the refrigerator for about 5 days. It also makes rolling out easier than the freshly made dough.
Method to roll out the dough:
Make a stiff but pliable dough by combining the Chappati* flour and water.
Cover the dough with damp cloth and set aside for 30 minutes.
Knead dough a little again. Dough should be stiff enough to roll without extra flour.
Divide dought into small balls, covering with damp cloth.
Dip a corner of dough ball in the melted ghee or oil and roll it out into 4 to 5 inches round.
Repeat the same process to roll out all pooris.
Frying the Pooris:
Heat plenty of oil in a kadhai until very hot.
Put in a poori and immediately start flickering hot oil over the top of it with a spatula so that it will swell up like a ball.
This should take only a few seconds. Flip the poori over and cook the other side until golden brown.
Serve hot with curries or vegetables.
Serve with Humus, Chutney, Yogurt dip
Lassi (Yogurt Smoothie Drink):
Ingredients:2 cups yogurt (I prefer the thicker Greek yogurts such as the Fage brand).
1 cup water
8 tablespoon sugar (or according to your choice)
Chopped fruit such as mango, strawberries, coconut or bananas.
Preparation:
Pour a cup of water into the yogurt.
Add sugar honey to taste.
Beat/churn yogurt till it becomes smooth and liquid. It should be frothy. Add fruit as desired
Serve chilled.