[AllenShrz]

http://movies.msn.com/movies/article...&ocid=todent11 I will file this next to Thor's racism and religion complaints.

mmmm? Avengers under fire? Bollywood stars? only Rituparna Sengupta (she is not that famous) complains....






Ah now I got it.

[cashman]

yeah, my parents had a problem with slumdog millionaire being only about the slums of India. I think they're just being overly sensitive.

[ConfusingJazz]

yeah, my parents had a problem with slumdog millionaire being only about the slums of India. I think they're just being overly sensitive.

Its in the god damned name! It wasn't called Middle Class Millionaire.

[Nesotenso]

mmmm? Avengers under fire? Bollywood stars? only Rituparna Sengupta (she is not that famous) complains.... Ah now I got it.

Correct me if I am wrong, Amitabh made a fuss over Slumdog, didn't he ?

[Izick]

Every country has slums and ghettos. All this seems to be is "stars" that people have never heard of, trying to leach off of the massive success of this movie. No more, no less.

[Mammoth Jones]

There are slums in every nation on earth. This is just fake outrage.

[Sickboy007]

Really, I noticed more Eastern/Russian looking baddies than brown ones.

Yeah, those too.

[The Incarnation]

Poor people are ruining my self esteem, stop showing them.

[Window]

Correct me if I am wrong, Amitabh made a fuss over Slumdog, didn't he ?

In the case of Slumdog yes you would be correct the majority of Indian people I've talked to had a problem with its depiction of poverty, including iirc Amitabh (not that I've talked to him but the news...).

[jon bones]

i liked what scarlet was wearing in that scene, though. i thought it was tasteful and cognizant of the local culture.

I'm curious, where did you spend your time at?

i've been all over to places like Goa and New Dheli but most of my time was spent in Tamil Nadu/

[ConfusingJazz]

There are slums in every nation on earth. This is just fake outrage.

There is a bit of a difference between the bad areas of Detroit and the bad ares of Calcutta though.

[Nesotenso]

In the case of Slumdog yes you would be correct the majority of Indian people I've talked to had a problem with its depiction of poverty, including iirc Amitabh (not that I've talked to him but the news...).

But was there a distortion of truth ? Stuff like this makes me think not

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Beautif.../dp/1400067553

I haven't read the book but just the author's interview on NPR.

I think that the complaints that certain people have an image of India as being slums only is legitimate but I don't think Avengers was wrong to depict that section of India given the story and context.

[cashman]

Its in the god damned name! It wasn't called Middle Class Millionaire.

No dude, it's all part of a British conspiracy to perpetuate a negative image of India

[Dresden]

A majority of India is a third world shithole, I don't see the problem with depicting it as such. Fuck those Bollywood actors.

And what we see in The Avengers isn't even that bad compared to some of what the actual conditions are like.

[Window]

But was there a distortion of truth ? Stuff like this makes me think not http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Beautif.../dp/1400067553 I haven't read the book but just the author's interview on NPR. I think that the complaints that certain people have an image of India as being slums only is legitimate but I don't think Avengers was wrong to depict that section of India given the story and context.

Well if you're asking me personally no I didn't have problems with Slumdog in that aspect (I didn't like the film for other reasons) and I cannot comment on Avengers as I haven't seen it.

[-Plasma Reus-]

The disparity between the classes in that country is abhorrent.
And I am not surprised that it's the wealthy ones who are making these remarks.

[~Devil Trigger~]

Awesome fake Outrage there.

[Cake Boss]

Not enough crappy songs and a bunch of crappy actors dancing the street where everyone is happy as fuck for no reason.

[Zoramon089]

I think it's a legitimate complaint. And let's keep the hyperbole checked, it is just that, a complaint. Nobody's calling for anyone's head. It's something for the big studios to consider; while there's nothing blatantly insulting about the scenes it's always good to keep some considerations for how a big movie can affect perceptions about a country. There is of course the actual state of poverty in India that's worth discussing. It's a good conversation starter for both sides, as far as I'm concerned.

Yeah they make people think slums exist in India and they do

[RBH]

if the Indian government wanted to do something about their slummy image, they should crack down on corruption in local government and make sure tax money goes to fixing up these places - not lining the pockets of officials. also, it makes sense in the context of the movie.

To the people saying "typical India" or "India always does this", could you please not lump together people like that since the opinion of a few film 'stars' (the ones stated aren't exactly big names...) is not representative of everyone in India (or even the majority) who has seen the film.

Agreed on both counts.

[Ponn01]

Oh boy.

"Yes, everyone else should ignore them and act like they don't exist like we do"

[effzee]

There are slums in every nation on earth. This is just fake outrage.

Its not even outrage. Do you know how big the Bollywood industry is? How many actors and actresses there are? This is just two people. And really unknown people.

And one of them even says we have to change the conditions in India first to be perceived better. Gaf outrage seems greater than actual comments.

I can even imagine how the questions were posed to these actors. I doubt they saw the movie and the reporter probably set them up. Question went something like "This new Hollywood movie shows India as a poor broken down 3rd world country what do you think about that?"

To the people saying "typical India" or "India always does this", could you please not lump together people like that since the opinion of a few film 'stars' (the ones stated aren't exactly big names...) is not representative of everyone in India (or even the majority) who has seen the film.

Good post.

Additionally I can see how some Indians who don't get what the movie is about or what Banner is doing, might be overly sensitive to their country being depicted in that manner. Still its not real movement or outrage.

[Liquidsnake]

Actual Indian slum. Maybe they should have just shown beautiful women jumping into a tree and singing about the romantic advances of a slightly overweight actor with a huge mustache.

LOL.

[Window]

Maybe they should have just shown beautiful women jumping into a tree and singing about the romantic advances of a slightly overweight actor with a huge mustache.

While I'm not a big fan of bollywood films myself may I ask what films have you seen (and when) which have formed your perception of bollywood?

Not enough crappy songs and a bunch of crappy actors dancing the street where everyone is happy as fuck for no reason.

Whenever I see posts like this I always think of Preston Sturges brilliant film Sullivan's Travels.

i've been all over to places like Goa and New Dheli but most of my time was spent in Tamil Nadu/

Oh man New Delhi must have been something of an experience in how to deal with people.

[bengraven]

Annnd if they would have shown the upper class areas, then the country would complain that Avengers ignored the people in dire straits in the ghettos.

Everyone is so ready to be offended these days.

[eudaemonic]

wasn't that the point tho? That Banner was choosing to help people in impoverished areas.

This... I mean... fuck. They're just trying to be attention whores because the film did so well. If it bombed I doubt you'd hear a peep about this.

[Dan]

Wait, that was Kolkata? I thought Banner wanted to be in a remote place without a lot of people around, not in a city with higher population density than NYC...

Haha, bingo. There was an Indian reviewer on KCRW/NPR last Thursday or Friday talking about this, and how ridiculous it was that Bruce Banner went to a place that's insanely populated and stressful in order to find peace.

[lupinko]

Haha, bingo. There was an Indian reviewer on KCRW/NPR last Thursday or Friday talking about this, and how ridiculous it was that Bruce Banner went to a place that's insanely populated and stressful in order to find peace.

It's not really ridiculous since he's learned how to harness the Hulk due to him always being angry as Banner says himself to the rest of the gang.

[marrec]

Haha, bingo. There was an Indian reviewer on KCRW/NPR last Thursday or Friday talking about this, and how ridiculous it was that Bruce Banner went to a place that's insanely populated and stressful in order to find peace.

He didn't go there to find peace.

[Fantastical]

wasn't that the point tho? That Banner was choosing to help people in impoverished areas.

So? Is that really that hard to put in a scene that has no reason for being in the movie other than to show off India's good side? Some people are so insensitive.

Haha, bingo. There was an Indian reviewer on KCRW/NPR last Thursday or Friday talking about this, and how ridiculous it was that Bruce Banner went to a place that's insanely populated and stressful in order to find peace.

I think you guys missed some of this movie or something. He wasn't trying be stress-free or "find peace". In fact, I believe Banner straight up says "The secret is not being stress-free" or something like that like.

He was trying to hide from anyone finding him. He was also trying to do good and help people while hiding.

[ChiTownBuffalo]

Calcutta is a slum.

Lepers don't live in nice areas of town.

[harSon]

To be fair, whenever Hollywood films focus on South American, Central American, African, South East Asian and to a lesser extent, Eastern European countries, its always in a negative light. While their depictions are certainly not without a factual grounding, the fact that they only choose to show the horrific aspects of these societies is certainly well documented.

[Dan]

So? Is that really that hard to put in a scene that has no reason for being in the movie other than to show off India's good side? Some people are so insensitive. I think you guys missed some of this movie or something. He wasn't trying be stress-free or "find peace". In fact, I believe Banner straight up says "The secret is not being stress-free" or something like that like. He was trying to hide from anyone finding him. He was also trying to do good and help people while hiding.

I haven't seen the movie. I'll take your word for it. I guess that critic had the wrong impression.

[HammerOfThor]

Thats fine, even more publicity for the movie so it can make even more $$ >:)

[DonasaurusRex]

...i dont get the objection, besides the focus wasnt on where he was, and most of the scene took place indoors so its not like would be able to make a conclusion about the area from the inside of a deliberately meager living space.

[Canuck76]

There's a good side and a bad side in kolkata. Just because they didn't show it doesn't mean it's not there.

[-Eddman-]

lol, so ridiculous. Banner wanted to help the needy, are you really telling me he should have done it on a fancy hospital ER style?

He was in India helping poor people, so a slum is depicted. Should mexicans sue Robert Rodriguez for Desperado and Machete now?

[Kuro Madoushi]

I agree. Whedon is such a dick not properly showing Indian culture in film.

Why the hell wasn't there a song and dance ?! >=[

[Manmademan]

But India is full of slums.

This. Banner was trying to hide out somewhere he wouldn't be found, and would cause minimal damage should he have an "incident."

It wasn't even just "a" slum, the place was remote, too. (as he mentioned to widow when she lured him way out on the edge of the town.)

This is just someone looking for an excuse to be upset.

[Gooster]

This is a pretty nonsensical criticism.

Somewhere out there an adopted person is taking offense to Thor's "He is adopted" line.

[Casp0r]

Wow they actually said that?

Not as bad as writing a god damn news article about it.

People complain about everything everywhere, since when has it become news worthy let alone thread worthy.

[krypt0nian]

To be fair, the slums in The Avengers were far nicer and they should be thanking them for the PR boost.

[Bombadil]

Rich Bollywood stars don't want to face the cognitive dissonance arising from the knowledge that their fellow countrymen live in abhorrent conditions. When you're rich, someone else's suffering is merely part of the "wonderful culture" of your country.

[Window]

Rich Bollywood stars don't want to face the cognitive dissonance arising from the knowledge that their fellow countrymen live in abhorrent conditions. When you're rich, someone else's suffering is merely part of the "wonderful culture" of your country.

I think your "wonderful culture" statement is not valid exclusively to rich Indian stars though, you see that in tons of foreign films as well where a lot of India's problems while portrayed (barely), are glorified as to be part of and what makes it a 'magical and spiritual' place. Basically watered down to an idiosynrcrasy (most recently seen in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel). And let's not pretend as if such movies are actually interested in a realistic portrayal and exploration of Indian society, which is why I don't mind it happening in such cases really.

[Dyno]

Rich Bollywood stars don't want to face the cognitive dissonance arising from the knowledge that their fellow countrymen live in abhorrent conditions. When you're rich, someone else's suffering is merely part of the "wonderful culture" of your country.

Exactly. This is about saving face. Rich Indians of the Brahmin caste don't want to be reminded of their dhalit countrymen, by a western movie no less!

It's about how it looks, which is all they care about.

[Patrick Bateman]

I wonder when people from New York start lamenting that New York get's destroyed or attacked in every second action movie..

[Messypandas]

So? Is that really that hard to put in a scene that has no reason for being in the movie other than to show off India's good side? Some people are so insensitive.

I have no idea what you just said, sorry

[MC Safety]

All this misplaced outrage when people really should be outraged that Dr. Bruce Banner is not a medical doctor.

He's a nuclear physicist.

Boy, I hope someone gets fired over this butchery.

[lunarworks]

Somewhere out there an adopted person is taking offense to Thor's "He is adopted" line.

I remember when some albino organization got all butt hurt about Matrix Reloaded.

[effzee]

Wow they actually said that? Not as bad as writing a god damn news article about it. People complain about everything everywhere, since when has it become news worthy let alone thread worthy.

Yeah I really don't get it.

Two no name actors, out of the 1000s and 1000s of actors in Bollywood, claim India wasn't portrayed properly. Out of the two, one even says "BEFORE POINTING THE FINGER AT THE WEST...WE NEED TO FIX OUR PROBLEMS" and yet GAF has gone full hate mode that two people in India dare say something negative.

And again I bet more than anything they were just asked a question, probably haven't seen the movie, or if they have don't understand why Banner is where he is. This isn't some deep well thought out argument, just two (well 1 really) actors imagining Hollywood purposely showing Indian in a negative light.