THE BEST OF THE FEST
CADILLAC INSIDER CORRECTLY PREDICTS PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER!
The people have spoken! Danny Boyle’s opus Slumdog Millionaire was named the People’s Choice, earning it the highly coveted award after the The 33rd annual Toronto Film Festival’s curtains went down for the final time. The audience favourite focuses on how an impoverished Indian teen Jamal Malik became a contestant on the Hindi version of “Who Wants to be A Millionaire?” — an endeavor made without prize money in mind, rather, an effort to prove his love for his friend Latika, who is an ardent fan of the show.
Winning the People’s Choice Award is akin to hitting the lottery. Why? Toronto’s top prize is a wise indicator of the Academy Award nominations. Don’t believe The Cadillac Insider? Past winners include Hotel Rwanda and Life Is Beautiful.
After witnessing audiences enthusiastically dancing in the aisles thanks to a Bollywood number at the end of the credits, it was very clear Millionaire wouldn’t be slumming anymore. In fact, astute Cadillac Insider readers knew that already. Last week, I correctly predicted Millionaire’s currency would buy itself The People’s Choice Award.
An overjoyed Boyle said of his film, “Seeing the reaction of the people in Toronto, which many people believe to be the most film loving city anywhere in the world, I am hoping my film will connect with the audiences everywhere. I also hope it will be a hit in India for I simply love [that country]. Despite all the contradictions India has, I find the country irresistible. The film is a tribute to an India I have been discovering in the last two years.” Other films directed by Boyle include Trainspotting and 28 Days Later.
Slumdog wasn’t the only film that took home an award. International film critics named Disgrace, starring John Malkovich. Based on JM Coetzee’s novel, the film centers on a teacher’s tempestuous affair with a student.
And as they say in Hollywood, that’s a wrap folks! Well, until next year…
