arsh wrote:
I think all 10 films in the list can be enjoyed by people who appreciate a broad spectrum of movies. So the question is why hasn't Bollywood caught on more with movie viewers? Honestly, I have seen more diaspora (ex-Indian) films than native ones. Is it my fault or that of the distributors? You really have to go out of your way to catch any of them.
I have a theory on this. Since the Indian and South Asian audience itself is big enough to sustain any of the Indian film industries without exporting to the west, the filmmakers include in their films what appeals mostly to those viewers (emphasis on family values, songs in Switzerland, etc.). In other words, there's no economic need to appeal to Western sensibilities. Most films coming out of India appeal specifically to Indians, with perhaps a novelty factor for non-Indians. Films like Pather Panchali and Lagaan, which are international caliber, are few and far between.
Also, western audiences tend to go to foreign films for some aspect of them that's better than domestic product. The storytelling and visual style of Kurosawa can't be seen in any American movie. America hasn't really made a film like Amelie. Hollywood didn't used to have the great action of Hong Kong films. But what, really, do most Indian movies offer to American audiences today? A lot of these films make even Indians roll their eyes. Just look at the box office for 2003. Not a single hit, not a single intriguing movie to see. If Indian audiences don't want to see the blatantly commercial would-be moneymakers, why would American audiences want to?
And I have to wonder about the people who voted Sholay higher than Pather Panchali...
Edited By DragunR2 on 1056127510
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