When we talked in class about urban geography and overurbanization I mentioned that I thought the Danny Boyle film, Slumdog Millionaire was a good example of povertized communities settling on the edges of cities. I read this article a couple months ago in print and amzaingly I was able to find it again on the net.
The movie "Slumdog Millionaire" was a hit blockbuster and won "8 Oscars and $326 million n box-office receipts. One of the child stars from the movie, Azharuddin Ismail, 10 years old, actually lives in the slums of Mumbai, India. In May 2009, his family was awakened by police officers and told they had minutes to leave their home before it would be demolished along with other illegally built shanties. All together, a bulldozer and about 100 men demolished 30 shanties in the slum. This is to discourage overcrowding in the city and happens regularly. The slum is called Garib Nagar or city of the poor and is just outside of Mumbai. Despite the young star's fame, little has changed for him, his family, and his community from day to day. Azharuddin's family not only lost their shanty, but also their pet kittens, their family hen, and many gifts awarded Azharuddin for his part in the film. Co-star Rubina Ali's family shantie was flooded almost knee deep with sewage water from a backed up drain the month before.
An official of the Bombay Municipal Corportation said the demolition was necessary to prepare for monsoon flooding and that only illegal shanties were bulldozed, not legally owned homes. People who could prove that they had lived there at least 15 years, which inlcudes Azharuddin's family, would be relocated to government housing. The relocation sites for removed shanty dwellers is often small, poor-quality, and far from jobs.
The filmmakers say they set up trusts for proper homes, good educations, and nest eggs for the young actors for when they finish high school, the amount is not disclosed even to the children's parents. Budgets were made for Asharuddin's family to buy an appartment but it is not enough in Mumbai's expensive real estate to truly leave the slums behind. The irony of the situation for these children and their families is so striking.
I highly recommend this film, as it portrays children's experiences growing up in slums. There are definately multiple examples of location, place, movement, and culture. Great film. See it.
Kinetz, Erika. The Seattle Times. "' Slumdog Millionaire' Child Star Sees Home Razed." May 15, 2009.
I really liked Slum Dog Millionaire and I think it really helped open people's eyes to the fact that people really do live in slums. I knew that the actors were from India but I did not know they lived in the slums themselves. I can relate to your post this week since I wrote my blog on the slums and townships in the world. Very interesting post!
ReplyDeleteI still have not seen Slum Dog Millionaire and would really like to. It appears to be a great reflection of what is happening in cities and towns in India. I have heard the film does an excellent job of showcasing the slum life that is very treacherous. I cannot believe after doing a film that wins best picture the actors still are forced into living that same lifestyle; that is a great indication of the way the US and India differ and what is important to each country.
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