Will the Oscars finally sing BOLLYWOOD? There is a definite happiness when viewing diverse movies and Boot Polish is no exception.
Similar to 2006 Oscar Winning Short 'West Bank Story' Is this consequently the next musical movie to win the Best short film for 2008 at Academy Awards? Over the years various South Asian movies have received Oscar Nominations & failed; however is this THE Movie that finally wins? Boot Polish deals with various issues concerning the world, addressing predominantly about hardship and the way we perceive ourselves.
It is refreshing to see a different movie as I've been reviewing shorts for the past 20 years and once in a while it's good to see inventive movies that have demonstrated some panache or challenged to be unique. Boot Polish unquestionably looks the part.
Running at 15 minutes it does encompass all the right emotional attributes to impress the Academy Voters (Even though in a different language its sure to keep mainstream audiences interested) On first viewing in the US and now reading up on the press it's receiving in the UK, it won't be long before the movie will be appreciated worldwide.
Boot Polish is a fine attempt to be unique, visually the movie is gorgeous. The sets are great, so are the costumes. The colors are beautiful. And it really does not try being anything else except an uncomplicated story about escapism. Some scenes i.e. the Courtesan were over-acted, making their scenes unrealistic. Maybe the over-acting was intentional - it fits the type of acting that's usually practiced in Stage Musicals. However it remains to see how the Bollywood fraternity receive Boot Polish.
Bollywood is now a Multi Billion dollar industry and a force to be taken seriously. It seems that there is a move to bring Hollywood and Bollywood closer together these days. Sony Pictures is the first in what will become a wave of American studios to produce their own kaleidoscopic, song-and-dance Bollywood films. American studios are eager to make money in South Asia, but in a country where $19 of every $20 spent at the box office goes to domestic films, the studios are deciding to join Bollywood, not trying to beat it.
However Boot Polish as stated below is a Hybrid and I'm sure the director will now use the film as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.
Similar to 2006 Oscar Winning Short 'West Bank Story' Is this consequently the next musical movie to win the Best short film for 2008 at Academy Awards? Over the years various South Asian movies have received Oscar Nominations & failed; however is this THE Movie that finally wins? Boot Polish deals with various issues concerning the world, addressing predominantly about hardship and the way we perceive ourselves.
It is refreshing to see a different movie as I've been reviewing shorts for the past 20 years and once in a while it's good to see inventive movies that have demonstrated some panache or challenged to be unique. Boot Polish unquestionably looks the part.
Running at 15 minutes it does encompass all the right emotional attributes to impress the Academy Voters (Even though in a different language its sure to keep mainstream audiences interested) On first viewing in the US and now reading up on the press it's receiving in the UK, it won't be long before the movie will be appreciated worldwide.
Boot Polish is a fine attempt to be unique, visually the movie is gorgeous. The sets are great, so are the costumes. The colors are beautiful. And it really does not try being anything else except an uncomplicated story about escapism. Some scenes i.e. the Courtesan were over-acted, making their scenes unrealistic. Maybe the over-acting was intentional - it fits the type of acting that's usually practiced in Stage Musicals. However it remains to see how the Bollywood fraternity receive Boot Polish.
Bollywood is now a Multi Billion dollar industry and a force to be taken seriously. It seems that there is a move to bring Hollywood and Bollywood closer together these days. Sony Pictures is the first in what will become a wave of American studios to produce their own kaleidoscopic, song-and-dance Bollywood films. American studios are eager to make money in South Asia, but in a country where $19 of every $20 spent at the box office goes to domestic films, the studios are deciding to join Bollywood, not trying to beat it.
However Boot Polish as stated below is a Hybrid and I'm sure the director will now use the film as a stepping stone to bigger and better things.