Plastic In the Afterlife

A "Slumdog" sans the slum

The movie Slumdog Millionaire was an inspiration to many, and shed light on the plight of the millions of "slumdogs" that inhabit India's major cities.  In fact, over half of the 18 million inhabitants of Mumbai reside in slums. 

Well, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, the 10-year-old child star who portrayed the young Salim, the brother of the main character of the aforementioned movie, had his shack bulldozed by city workers to make way for drainage paths before the upcoming monsoons.  This is the second time in two years that Azharuddin and his family have had their shack demolished by the city.  The first time it happened was during the filming of the movie.  When this occurred, British director and producer Danny Boyle sent out a search party for the boy and found him sleeping on top of a car!  Now, homeless for the second time, the Ismail family has really hit rock bottom. 

You may be wondering how the family of the child star who was part of a movie that grossed over $300 million dollars worldwide could be so destitute?  Well, Azharuddin was paid 2,000 pounds for his part in the movie (but what about royalties?), and was placed in a school for disadvantaged children, which was the first schooling he had ever received.  Also, if Azharuddin stays in school until the age of 18, the family will receive a "significant lump-sum".  It was also reported that the family was given an undisclosed monthly amount for living expenses (for how long?).  Boyle had also promised to find proper lodging for Azharuddin and about 20 other slum children that were involved in the filming, but that promise has yet to materialize (OBVIOUSLY). 

Well, doesn't this just smack of irony?  Movie exposes the horrid conditions of the slum existence of  India's youth, and said youth gets bulldozed over by the Indian authorities.  But hey, we can all still bask in the glow of Slumdog Millionaire---just don't think of the actors as real people.  It's all just make-believe; a fairy tale.  And as you know, fairy tales always end happily ever after.  Ah...

Porno goes "Green"

First of all, put away those tissues---you won't need them---that is, unless it is to sop up the tears of laughter you cry as you watch Isabella Rossellini's artsy vignettes entitled Green Porno.  Green Porno is basically a bunch of internet shorts available on Sundance Channel's website that deal with the sex lives of insects (season one) and of sea creatures (season two). 

I must say, from the goofy and amateurish costumes to the whimsical descriptions of these organisms' sexual escapades, I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face.  Rossellini perfectly understands the advantages and limitations of her internet medium, all episodes of which were intended to be downloaded onto cell phones and i-pods, and she teases us with just enough innocent, yet lascivious humor, where our appetites have been whetted, but we are left wanting more.  So, I guess the real "money shot" here is Rossellini's child-like exuberance for her unique and often strange subject matter.  Enjoy.