The British Independent Film Award nominations have just been announced in London and Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire has earned 6 nominations! These include Best Film, Director, Screenplay, Cinematography, and nominations for both Dev Patel and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar for Most Promising Newcomer. The actors play the same character of Jamal, but at different ages.
Slumdog Millionaire is up against some stiff competition in what is being seen as a particularly strong year for British film. The rivals include the haunting Hunger by Steve McQueen (no, not that Steve McQueen) which is the story of IRA hunger striker, Bobby Sands. There is also In Bruges, a hilarious comic crime caper that stars Colin Farrell, Ralph Fiennes and everyone’s favourite uncle, Brendan Gleeson.
18-year-old Dev Patel, plucked from the TV series ‘Skins’ for the role of Jamal in SM, a role which he carries off with such aplomb, is up against his younger self in the movie – Ayush Khedekar – tossed out onto the streets of Mumbai after his mother was murdered. It was a stunning performance by the 10-year-old in what is being recognized as one of the groundbreaking international movies of the year. But that’s not where the competition ends – as both the slumdogs will be up against young Asa Butterfield from The Boy In The Striped Pajamas.
Dev, who is a blackbelt taekwondo martial artist who has even appeared in the world championships will be relishing the contest!
