Here's why Oscar eludes us
For one, films like Peepli Live do not measure up to global standards; besides, another part of the problem rests with older members of the Academy who are schooled in tradition of European cinema
A few weeks ago, the online magazine Guernica asked me to put together a list of my top ten international films of 2010. There were obvious choices. The best of Hollywood The Social Network and Inception together with some international films that impressed me Biutiful and the epic Carlos.
I also took the liberty of picking Udaan, my favourite Indian film of 2010. In a special mention list of ten more films (since I was not satisfied with only the top ten), I added a few more Indian films Peepli Live, Ishqiya and Band Baaja Baaraat, my favourite Bollywood film of 2010.
This past week, I was reminded of my list when Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced its short list of nine foreign language films that will compete in the second round for the Oscar race. There was only one film in common between my list and the one released by the Academy Biutiful. Most of the other films in the Oscar short list have yet to open in the U S.
But what about the Indian entry Peepli Live directed by Anusha Rizvi and produced by Aamir Khan? There was really no conversation about that film, other than a word from Oscar watcher Steve Pond (who is not a member of the Academy) on his blog The Wrap, where he said that while he had reviewed many foreign language films submitted by their respective countries, he did not see Peepli Live.
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| Maybe India should submit Dhobi Ghat (above) for the 2011 Foreign Language Oscar race as many critics have referred to the film as one with European sensibilities |
I have heard some people say that India should have submitted Udaan as its official entry. And maybe that may have improved India's chances. This past decade, many of India's official entries for the Oscar race have been connected with Khan, as if his one-time success with Lagaan is enough to guarantee that any Indian film touched by him would be selected for the final five list.
This is not just an Oscar race issue. There were only two Indian entries for the Golden Globes and both Peepli Live and (here is a shocker) Kites failed to impress the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
HFPA's rules for the foreign language Globe are different in that, individual producers can submit their own films. I wonder why the producers of Udaan, Love Sex Aur Dhoka or even Ishqiya did not send their films for the Golden Globes. Perhaps that may have improved the chance for an Indian film to at least get nominated for a Golden Globe, although no one can say that with certainty.
It is unfortunate that India is the largest film-producing country, and yet our films do not qualify at least from the Academy's perspective as world-class cinema. In the past few years, many international festivals at Berlin, Venice, Cannes, Toronto and elsewhere have programmed new indie films from India a sign that programmers and audience are noticing and appreciating Indian films.
But the Oscar continues to elude us. If there were any element of truth in Farah Khan's Tees Maar Khan, many Indians (like the moronic actor played by Akshaye Khanna) would like India to win an Oscar.
Part of the problem rests with the older members of the Academy many retired, and hence with free time to review all of the foreign language films. These members were schooled in the tradition of European cinema and works of filmmakers such as Ingmar Bergman and Vittorio De Sica. But this year's list also includes films from South Africa and Algeria.
The thing is that a film like Peepli Live may appear very important to Indian critics and even many filmgoers, given the serious issue of farmers' suicide, told with clever biting humour, but it still does not measure up to the intense drama of Biutiful or the deeply disturbing Canadian entry Incendies.
This Friday, many critics referred to Dhobi Ghat as a film with European sensibilities. It is too early in the year, but perhaps India should summit Dhobi Ghat for the 2011 foreign language Oscar race, although once again, it is a film from the house that Aamir Khan built.
[A good piece by Aseem Chhabra who is a freelancer based in NY. Also organized NYIFF 2011]
Edited by TheDilettante - 14 years ago
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