Category — Entertainment

There was once a time when Indie films were actually Indie. Independent. And they were good, too. Remember the Blair Witch Project? That horror of a movie cost $35,000. Along came Passion of the Christ five years later. That horror of a movie cost $30,000,000.

Fast forward another five years and the Big Six major studios essentially finance every “independent film” through their lesser-known subsidiaries. Ever heard of Focus Features? They produced Brokeback Mountain (for which they will never be forgiven). Focus Features? None other than Universal Pictures.

Besides, can anyone even tell the difference anymore between who’s indie and who’s not? Where are the brave men and women who make movies with home-made props and Wal-Mart cameras?

Meanwhile, Bollywood releases three new movies every day (at an average cost of only $500,000 a piece). Though we may not yet feel it, Indian influences are slowly creeping into the Mainstream: Moulin Rouge! was inspired by an Indian film, Black Eyed Peas’ hit “Don’t Phunk with my Heart” was based on an Indian song. And then there’s Slumdog Millionaire.

Let’s face it: Hindi films are fun. Loveable characters, familiar storylines, spontaneous bursts of dancing and singing. Why bother with the intellectual foreplay of Inception when you can enjoy the explosive action of Dabangg (currently smashing all Indian box-office records!)

Don’t be alarmed when these masterpieces move from your local 7 Eleven to the Big Screen.

You’ve been warned.

The Future of Indie Films: Hindi Films.