Tuesday, February 24, 2009

What will you be remembered for?

So, he won. You might be thinking who? Then you are one of the rare people who don't care about the happenings in that faraway land called Hollywood (although you may live just across the road to the signage). I am talking of course about Heath Ledger, as expected, winning the supporting actor Oscar. Yes, that make believe land where everything is rosy and will never be affected by the economic woes and real life. Or is it?

Just to make a point, the film that manage to surprise filmmakers and those in front of the screen is Slumdog Millionaire. It is about the rags to riches story of a man who manage to win the Who wants to be a Millionaire gameshow in India. The start of the movie will show you how he was being tortured by a policeman who just couldn't believe he did it through his own initiatives. So, the story is his journey in life and how he learned what he has learnt. 

Last night had a story of rags to riches of its own. Penelope Cruz. Heath Ledger. Slumdog. Danny Boyle. All came not from America. When Penelope mentioned her hometown, I bet no one in the audience came from there. Heath was the breed of actors coming from Australia who for the past few years had conquered Hollywood through their acting skills eclipsing even the best that America had to offer. As for Danny Boyle, he epitome the best film I ever know when I was an undergraduate. He was the one who adapted and directed Trainspotting in which it shows the the cocaine addiction of a group of friends living in Edinburgh speaking with unknown English accent. Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle were discovered through that film.Through that film, I discovered Irvine Welsh other books, which I love.

Back to Heath, that must be great for him right? At least that must be a good way to be remembered for right? Winning something after you are dead and people keep on harping on the good that you have done and trying to forget how you really died....

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