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paulsinghking
Reviews
Boot Polish (2007)
Great Bollywood Short Deserves more success
I agree with a lot of comments on this film director and on Boot Polish. So I had to register and comment on IMDb
Boot Polish is a wonderful cinematic short film. Yes its Bollywood, yes it is melodramatic at places and the narrative is simple. But what else do you want from a Bollywood Short.
I also watched Slumdog Millionaire last month in London, and couldn't help thinking that if Boot Polish was directed by a white film director perhaps the film would of had much more success.
But this film is directed by a non-white filmmaker, so the western film festivals have just reject it straightaway as stereotypical Bollywood. What bothers me the most is that aren't film festivals all about screening different unique and diverse shorts?
Personally i feel it is down to racism.
If Boot Polish was made by a white new filmmaker, and made for a western audience then perhaps it would of done as well as Slumdog Millionaire. But it wasn't, it was made for a South Asian audience, full of symbolism and music.
I bet Ahmad is secretly thinking if only I was white then i would get Western international accolades. But you cant Ahmad because you are not white. Its As simple as that, no matter how much you try you wont get accolade because you're Asian.
That doesn't mean you are not a fantastic new film director or have talent. But you will never reach the success you deserve because you are not white. There is a rule in this industry only white film directors can succeed.
Boot Polish is a melodramatic film mixed with neo-realism film-making The subtext is deep in heart and poverty of a developing world.
It should of done better at the film festivals, but like I said before, if Ahmad was white then perhaps he and Boot Polish would of!
I do wish you all the best in your future projects. Paul Singh