Four South Asian-themed films in the reckoning for an Oscar in the ‘Documentary Feature’.
By Raif Karerat
Four documentaries centered around South Asians, including the controversial ‘India’s Daughter’ by Leslee Udow, which is based on the hideous gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi, are among those submitted for consideration to the 88th Academy Awards.
The four films were all submitted under the “Documentary Feature” category, a shortlist for which will be released in December after being whittled down to 15 choices.
“Meet the Patels” chronicles the trials and tribulations of Ravi Patel — who has just broken up with his white girlfriend — while he comes to terms with the notion of arranged marriages and attempts to find himself an Indian bride in the United States.
The film, which was a success on the festival circuit and critically acclaimed to boot, recently had its remake rights acquired by Fox Searchlight.
“Meet the Patels” was written and co-directed by the sibling duo of Geeta V. Patel and Ravi V. Patel, and stars the latter as its unlucky-in-love protagonist.
“India’s Daughter†by Udwin traces the heinous 2012 gang-rape of a 23-year-old student on a moving bus in New Delhi, and her subsequent death after being brutalized. The incident became a lightning rod for public outrage domestically and around the world.
‘India’s Daughter’ is part of BBC’s ongoing “Storyville” series, and has not been aired in India due to a court order obtained by Indian police.
The third film to be submitted for consideration, “He Named me Malala,†delves into the life of Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the face by Taliban after gaining international prominence as an educational activist for Pakistani girls. The film was directed by Davis Guggenheim.
Malala was notably awarded the Nobel Peace Prize along with Indian child rights activist Kailash Satyarthi last year.
“Song of Lahore,†a documentary directed by Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Andy Schocken, follows a group of musicians as they travel from Pakistan to New York City to perform at the Lincoln Center.
The musicians were invited to perform in New York after their rendition of Dave Brubeck’s classic jazz piece “Take Five” garnered the attention of Wynton Marsalis.
The official nominations for the 2016 Academy Awards will be revealed on Jan. 14, with the ceremony being held on Feb. 28 in Hollywood.