Movies

Director Danny Boyle admits Slumdog Millionaire ‘would never be made today’ unless Indian filmmakers were at the helm

BBG News

Director Danny Boyle acknowledges that Slumdog Millionaire, a film like it, might not get produced now if Indian filmmakers weren‘t in charge.

68-year-old director reminisced about the 2008 film he helmed, recalling that his crew and himself were considered “newcomers” while working in Mumbai on set.

The movie was based on the novel “Q & A” by Indian writer Vikas Swarup, but it wasn’t a strict adaptation. Instead, it followed the life of a teenage character named Jamal, who lived in the slums of Mumbai. (Dev Patel portrayed this character.)

The film was inspired by the novel “Q & A” written by Vikas Swarup from India, and while it wasn’t an exact copy, it depicted the story of Jamal, a teenager residing in Mumbai’s slums. (Dev Patel played this role.)

He appears on the game show known as ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’, but when questioned about potential cheating, he looks back at his history and explains that he already knew all the correct answers.

Danny told The Guardian: ‘Yeah, we wouldn’t be able to make that now. And that’s how it should be. 

As a lifestyle guide, let me encourage you to take a moment to ponder our past actions. Let’s examine the cultural traditions we hold close and the footprints we’ve etched upon the global landscape.

‘We chose to send only a few of us to Mumbai, where we planned to collaborate with a large Indian team on making a film that would authentically reflect the local culture. However, it’s important to acknowledge that as outsiders, there will always be limitations to our understanding and approach.’

I take great pride in this movie, but let me tell you, such projects would be hard to imagine or finance nowadays. If I were in your shoes, I’d seek out a talented young Indian director to bring the project to life.

28 Years Later, a new horror movie directed by the same filmmaker who teamed up with Alex Garland for their first collaboration on 28 Days Later in 1998, is now being helmed by him after a hiatus of 23 years.

He recently admitted it was a ‘nightmare’ filming naked zombies for new horror movie.

Danny mentioned that it was crucial to exercise added caution, ensuring no adult actors appeared without costumes, given the stringent regulations designed to safeguard child actor Alfie Williams on the set.

If it’s been just a short while since you were infected [with the zombie virus], you might still have some clothing on. However, if you’ve been infected for an extended period, your behavior could cause the clothes to deteriorate.

We didn’t realize the rules regarding nudity on set when children are present beforehand. It turned out to be quite an ordeal.

Danny proceeded to describe the ingenious solution they devised. Notably, due to a 12-year-old boy being present on set, no one was actually able to be fully nude. Instead, they appeared nude, but it was all done using prosthetics.

‘So it’s like: ‘Oh my God,’ so we had to make everybody prosthetic genitals’.’

Danny expressed enthusiasm for exploring limits in terms of nudity and violence within the movie, and he’s delighted that the studio executives backed his ideas.

In an interview with Variety, he stated, “One of the fascinating aspects of horror is that it demands a heightened emphasis on the impact of the narrative. This is something every creator strives for in dramas, romances, or any other genre.

However, it’s undeniably going to be harsh at times. Yet, what makes it captivating is contrasting this harshness with the innocence portrayed through the characters of the children and the breathtaking landscapes, reflecting the serene beauty of nature.

By fully utilizing those two key elements, you’ll extend your narrative to its full potential. This has always been our guiding principle, and fortunately, the studio agreed with this approach.

By really leveraging those two main aspects, you can take your story as far as possible. This is a method we’ve relied on, and luckily, the studio supported us in this strategy.

On Thursday critics weighed in on the new zombie horror movie.

In the wake of the critically acclaimed 2002 film “28 Days Later”, directors Danny Boyle and Alex Garland gathered a distinguished cast, including Harry Potter actor Ralph Fiennes, aged 62, and British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson, aged 35, for their new project.

In the two decades following the initial outbreak, where a lethal virus ravaged London, the latest film introduces a band of survivors who have made their home on the isolated island of Lindisfarne.

Critics have showered praise on the latest project by Boyle and Garland after its initial showings.

For example, Rotten Tomatoes has given the movie a remarkable 94% critical approval rating based on the opinions of over 91 film critics.

In simple terms, Brian Viner from The Daily Mail found the recent gruesome episode of the series to be exceptionally impressive, even going so far as to label it the “top post-apocalyptic horror-thriller film I’ve ever seen.

Brian stated that ’28 Years Later’, directed by Danny Boyle and written by Alex Garland, is the top post-apocalyptic survival horror-thriller movie he has ever watched. Contrary to what one might assume, this genre is quite competitive.

Or more informally: Brian thinks ’28 Years Later’ is the best post-apocalyptic survival horror-thriller movie he’s ever seen, and it’s a tough field, believe me!

In The Telegraph, Robbie Collin gave the movie “28 Years Later” an exceptional review, awarding it a full five-star rating and praising its chilling horror elements.

In his writing, Garland uses a unique brand of humor that’s distinctively British and reminiscent of 2000 AD and Warhammer 40,000 comics, to create a contrast against the surrounding sense of dread. (Collin’s note)

Additionally, scenes reminiscent of Arthurian legends and old war clips (alongside a subtle double appearance by the fallen Sycamore Gap tree) often subtly prompt reminders as they grapple with the idea of a modern-day British legend.

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Scenes resembling Arthurian tales and wartime footage, along with a clever dual appearance by the now-felled Sycamore Gap tree, occasionally serve as gentle jabs in the side as they explore the concept of a 21st century British national myth.

The movie also earned a five-star review from critic Ed Potton at The Times, with him praising Jodie Comer’s consistently outstanding performance yet again.

In my perspective as an ardent admirer, I find it challenging to imagine another zombie movie that harmoniously blends enchantment, eccentricity, and the expected gore – the gruesome scenes of flesh tearing, brain devouring, and brutal evisceration. Could this be the most captivating zombie film ever made?

In her review, Caryn James from the BBC awarded the eagerly awaited movie a score of 4 out of 5. She also praised Ralph Fiennes’s acting, calling it “stolen-the-show” worthy.

28 Years Later blends elements of zombie-horror, medieval construction, heartfelt family narratives, and an exploration reminiscent of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness as it delves into the psyche of a madman living in the wilderness, she penned.

The production exhibits Boyle’s distinctive style, Garland’s bold scriptwriting, and an exceptional portrayal by Ralph Fiennes. His character makes an appearance midway through the movie and surprisingly assumes the role of the film’s central, tension-filled figure.

As an over-the-moon fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about Empire awarding 28 Years Later a whopping four out of five stars! Ben Travis, the journalist behind this glowing review, perfectly captured the essence when he said, ’28 Years Later is relentless, pulsating with raw adrenaline.’ The mainland seems to vibrate with an omnipresent threat; when the infected invade (and trust me, they do), the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife!

In both The Guardian and The Independent, reviews were somewhat negative as journalists gave the movie “28 Years Later” a rating of three stars.

Peter Bradshaw wrote in The Guardian: “The movie transitions somewhat uneasily towards the mainland for intense action scenes involving actual firearms, followed by unexpected appearances of two prominent characters. These appearances lead the film to oscillate between profound melancholy and a peculiar, implausible (yet undeniably surprising) comic-book style.

Although ’28 Years Later’ seems to constantly hit us over the head with symbolism, Neil Boyle is still an engaging director. This movie sets itself apart from the original by presenting a more emotional and mythical narrative compared to what we saw earlier.

28 years after its initial release, the horror movie has emerged as the top preseller for tickets in 2025, projected to earn approximately $30 million during its debut weekend.

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2025-06-20 12:19

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