Value of Human Life

Sakshi, I ll just pick up one point you made in your post.

I sure do object to movies like Bombay, Fiza, Black Friday. And of course, those stupid Kalpana Lajmi and Deepa Mehta tripes. Why ? Well, I do find it offensive that we are shown in bad light in those movies. Moderates like us. Why, dont we all say, moderates should make their voice heard. So I say I found it offensive. Ohh.. this goes into recursion - Does the fact that I object to those movies automatically make me a non-moderate.

Anyway, my grouse against Deepa mehta films is not much about religion and lesbianism, but instead its about the other subtle messages it carries. Presentation is mostly disgusting. (It may be graphic, but she makes it disgusting actually) And the other reason is that her films are —- yuckkk.. thoooooo… no storyline, no cinematography, nothing. The intention seems to be one thing - some India-bashing, raise a controversy and probably get a few foreign film awards.

9/11 movie would’nt have seen the light of the day if it was’nt for an independent studio called Lions Gate Entertainment. Disney a major movie studio backed out from distributing the movie becuase they felt it was anti Bush, so Lions Gate took a hugh risk and distibuted the movie, the released dates were also moved a couple of times. It was with great difficulty that Michael Moore was able to release this movie.

“one thing worth mentioning about them is the fact that they never try to block basic human right, in simple words - Freedom of Expression. And even if they tried, the American public and media have been strong enough to withstand their threat.”

This is not true at all, Have you heard of the Patriot Act. Two years ago talking against the Bush administration could have landed you in serious trouble [Link]. Anyone speaking against the war was branded a traitor (Michael Moore himself was ridiculed at the Oscars).

“I mean could an Indian Filmmaker ever be successful in making a movie on the same lines - exposing our political parties, government policies or some politician/government officials. I highly doubt it. “

First of all documentaries are not very popular in India, so it would be a bad move for any film maker to make such kind of a movie(as far as making profits). However, the Indian press constantly keeps a check on the government policies, political parties, corruption etc, while the American press is just the opposite and just goes along with the president. Michael Moore also said that the reason he had to make the documentary movie 9/11is becuase the American press was really one sided and in support of whatever Bush did(never gave two sides of the story) ,therefore he had to make the movie to expose the truth.

Comparing Indians and Americans when it comes to political matters would be just fooish. Indians actively particapate in Political matters while Americans don’t. During last president election the voter turn out was only 30% in America. Americans dont even know what their basic right are [Link]. The last time the Indian government decided to send troops to Iraq, the idea was completely squashed becuase the Indians protested against it. When is the last time that happend in America?.

“Movies like Bombay, Fiza, etc though started out with the right intention but were later on modified to suit surrounding environment. Where as movie like Black Friday still needs to see the light of the day, officially”

These movies deal with religion, which is a sensitive subject in India. Therefore movie story lines have to be changed so has to not to offend any religious goups. The same can be said of Hollywood movies, race is a sensitive subject in America, therefore Hollywood movies are also tweaked so has to not to offend any racial group. Rang de Basanti was good movie ,but it depicted too much violence. The last thing we would want is people killing each other becuase they fely something was done wrong. Rule of Law should always prevail.

Sakshi, how are Farheneit 9/11 and PFC Steve Green stories related? Are you saying there was no cover up just guessing.