Danny Boyle seems to be doing his best impression of someone trying to distance himself from his own legacy — and not just any legacy, but his Oscar-winning “Slumdog Millionaire.”
While promoting “28 Years Later,” Boyle told The Guardian that he wouldn’t even think about making ‘Slumdog’ today, citing the now-standard “cultural appropriation” disclaimer and suggesting that in 2025, the story should be helmed by “a young Indian filmmaker.”
We wouldn’t be able to make that now. And that’s how it should be. It’s time to reflect on all that. We have to look at the cultural baggage we carry and the mark that we’ve left on the world.
Ah yes, nothing says progressive growth like retroactively throwing your own Oscar-winning film under the bus and implying it shouldn’t exist in today’s industry — the same film that launched careers, won over audiences across the globe, and let’s not forget, netted 8 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director (that one had your name on it, Danny).
When asked if the film was a form of colonialism, Boyle’s answer was a mumblecore special: “No, no… Well, only in the sense that everything is.” So… yes?
He tried to salvage it by explaining that only a “handful” of the Western crew flew to Mumbai and that they “tried to make a film within the culture.” But apparently, that doesn’t count anymore. “It’s still a flawed method,” he admitted, just in case anyone missed the point that he now considers one of the biggest accomplishments of his career to be ethically compromised.
That kind of cultural appropriation might be sanctioned at certain times. But at other times it cannot be. You wouldn’t even contemplate doing something like that today. It wouldn’t even get financed. Even if I was involved, I’d be looking for a young Indian filmmaker to shoot it.
Sure, Danny — but you did make it, you did win the Oscar, and you did cash the checks.
A filmmaker should be allowed to make whatever movie they desire. You think Scorsese regrets making “Kundun”? Other classic films that land in the “cultural appropriation” category include “Lawrence of Arabia,” “West Side Story,” “The Thief of Bagdad,” and “The Searchers.” God forbid if Denis Villeneuve ends up directing his “Cleopatra” movie.
For those who want to witness the 180-degree turn in full, head over to The Guardian and read Boyle’s full interview.
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