I was clearly making the case that a real issue did exist and that issue is unique to any other film. If someone wants to show me an example from the film world that is similar to this film and all the variables involved; I’d welcome the wisdom.

I really don’t have to solve the issue since my view has always been its unique and deserves care and consideration from the filmmakers. It appears from recent news stories I’ve read online they are doing that. I feel they were blindsided by the bulldozing of the one star’s home.

As far as your last statement about an act of violence against one of the CHILDREN helping the film – that isn’t the world I live in, nor, do I want to think about that type world.

Forget the fact that your claim that the movie is successul primarily because of the real location and real actors. (I think you mean non-actors, because I’m not sure what the fuck a real actor is. As opposed to a fake actor?) This is nothing more than supposition on your part. You’re right, it would be a very different film: better/worse; more or less succesful; more or less critically acclaimed we’ll never know.

How long are the producer’s responsible to these kids and the community? In perpetuity? Where does it end, and how much is enough? You seem to be saying that the kids and community should benefit in direct proportion to the success of the movie and that somehow the producers are more responsible just because the movie happened to be a success. I just think that is insane. If the movie would have been a box office turd, the responsibilty of the producers would end and the kids would be fucked. For your argument to to be consistant, I think the producer’s responsibility should be the same no matter how much the movie has made or will make.

Any movie is going to be affected if something tragic happens to one of the actors. What makes this movie any different? It seems that since we are talking about doe eyed, cute as hell little kids that take great photos for the media to publish it’s more of an issue than it would ordinarily be.

And perhaps I am way more cynical that I should be, but if one of the kids were rapped, killed, or sold I tend to believe it would be better for the business of SLUMDOG and not harm it in the least.

On the business side, I was just thinking about this as I drove back from a meeting. The worst thing that could happen from a business perspective is if something tragic happened to these children. This film is an Oscar winner and has a long life ahead in sales and showings. The last thing the business people behind the film want is one of the children being raped, killed, sold, etc. You can’t come back from that type of negative publicity.

“the ONLY way this film does what it does critically and financially is if the filmmakers choose to film real evirons and real occupants of those environs.”

This is a statement that cannot be proven one way or the other. It’s may be true that part of the impact of the film comes from the use of real locations, but it is of course impossible to say what the impact would have been if they had chose a different way to tell the story.

I frankly do not understand what the debate is. From a business point of view, the producers have no responsibility what so ever to anyone above and beyond what they have already done. Services were rendered under contract and everyone was paid accordingly.

Morally, maybe you have a point that more should be done. However, as Jay has already pointed out, even before SLUMDOG became such as success the producers were already taking it upon themselves to go above and beyond what was needed.

Say we accept Rus’ arguement at face value. If what is being done is inadequate, what should be done?

http://topnews.us/content/24930-slumdog-s-jai-ho-trust-comes-forward-rescue-film-s-child-star-rubina-ali

It appears my original thoughts are correct:

1. There is an ISSUE here.
2. The trust, and other ways to help the children, is a fluid issue being changed as needed.

To head Jay off at the pass, narrative film and documentary film play in different ballparks in terms of story structure, buget, industry standard residuals.

Didn’t mention anything about the children.