The Slumdog Effect?

Here we are two hours before the Oscars and once again, I'm neither hosting nor writing for it. Hosting would be unrealistic, but I wonder if writing could've been a reality had I stuck with my dream from 25 years ago...but that's a topic for another blog entry (or perhaps an entire book, not to mention a prospective lifetime of therapy).

I'm predicting Penn over Rourke for Best Actor. I think Rourke's winning the Golden Globe means the Academy will want to recognize Penn not only for his incredible portrayal of Harvey Milk, but also for his years of phenomenal performances, including Spicoli! I think Kate Winslet is a shoo-in for Best Actress, and it's not just because of her Oprah-approved natural breasts.

I'm feeling, like many experts, that Slumdog Millionaire could sweep the categories in which it's nominated, certainly: Best Film, Director, Editing, at least one of the Sound awards, score and original song. It's a brilliant movie, masterfully shot, convincingly acted, hypnotically scored. The story is compelling, with themes of looking for love and rooting for the underdog which are universal...or at least universally American.

Which leads me to wonder whether Slumdog Millionaire will do for interest in Indian culture and perhaps Indian film in America what Sideways did for wine and Pinot Noir.

Sideways served as a catalyst for interest in wine, especially Pinot Noir. Sales of Pinot and interest in wine generally--was already increasing when Sideways caught the nation's attention. But the film helped catapult wine more into the mainstream culture, and sales of Pinot in particular skyrocketed (while those of Merlot dropped off). It's amazing how, despite our having more information to make our own decisions, we still follow the lead of popular culture.

Indian culture, like wine, is on the rise in America. I just read that more than half the start-ups in Silicon Valley in the past 10 (?) years were started by Indians. Indian food, including restaurants specific regional Indian cuisines, is becoming more prevalent. I wonder if Slumdog Millionaire will help further mainstream American interest in Indian culture. It's further evidence of the rising influence of Asia in the U.S. So any glimpse we get into cultures about which we are less familiar is valuable for opening our eyes to a world beyond our own.

The parallel to increased interest in Pinot Noir would be increased interest in Indian film in the U.S. I don't necessarily think Slumdog will launch a wave of mainstream interest in Indian film. I don't believe Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon spawned significant interest in Chinese film, but it was emblematic of the rise of Chinese culture and influence in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Regardless of whether this film catalyzes a fuller interweaving of Indian culture into mainstream America, it's a masterpiece worth seeing.