If you haven't already seen Outsourced, it is a must-see in the line of Bend it like Beckham, Monsoon Wedding, and other great fusion, Indian-Western movies. This film does a brilliant job of capturing the emotions that run with the outsourcing era both in India and the USA. Outsourced also offers real cultural insight, many hilarious moments, and a touching story. The filmaker has shown exactly what it feels like to be a foreigner in India. My husband, Brian could identify with scenes such as being hounded by cabbies as soon as you land in Mumbai -- except that Brian (lucky boy!) had a Hindi-speaking wife to get those locals off his back ;)
There are many food-related lessons in Outsourced, including:
1. How to eat a mango like Indians do ... my favorite scene :D
2. Indian hospitality surrounding food - No matter how little you have in your home, you offer the best of what you have to your guest, first before yourself.
3. Indians never throw food away. You personally give leftover food to the poor, to anyone in need, or to animals. The fact that millions are living in extreme poverty and hunger in India is felt honestly in this movie. Showing that is a part of the film without dominating the story.
Go see it! For Seattlelites: Outsourced is currently playing at the Majestic Bay in Ballard.
p.s. I also love how Outsourced is about a guy who is based in Seattle. Most of the film is in India, but you do see glimpses of our local city life including Pike Place Market, Westlake Park, our Central Library, mountain views, etc. You hear tuneage from local artist Eddie Vedder. The Indian music was also great, it made me wanna dance!
5 comments:
this looks like a fun movie. Will have to try n find a dvd...thanks for the preview :)
You should..the dvd is now out & you can order it online..check out the movie website I have linked for more info. Btw, it's got a lot of Mumbai...you'll enjoy it! :)
dont you think you are being a bit too nice to indians...
am one myself and i live here and i know that the points you have listed as the best points of the movie are things which most indians lack...
Ooooh... I'm going to see this next weekend. Thanks for the tip.
Mia - Last I heard, this was its last week @ the Majestic ... better call & confirm before you go! It was playing today!!
Bonjour Anonymous - I don't think I am being "too nice to Indians." I am simply pointing out the food-related parts of the movie that I loved.
Those points also happen to be cultural strengths of our motherland, India -- at least where & how I grew up. I spent more than half of my life in India, and of course I have been back since then, too.
I am not sure what sample population of Indians you are considering -- Indians in India, Non-resident Indians living abroad, which generations or socio-economic groups -- there are ways in which one's perspective can be relative. India also, of course has many cultures within it, with some variation in traditions, but I think these positive aspects I mention are common all over India. If you would like to have a real debate, then kindly sign your comments with a name and contact information.
My main point was that this movie is worth watching, and partly for its food-related merits. For its strengths as an independent film it also deserves more publicity :) Most of all, perhaps, go see it if you want a good laugh and a well told, charming story!
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