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Danny Boyle on Storytelling

Gotham Chopra - January 09, 2009

A few weeks ago, I had a chance to speak to Danny Boyle, the film-maker behind Slumdog Millionaire (neck and neck my favorite movie of the year with Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler –see them both right now!). What started as a conversation around Danny’s triumphant film set in the heart of Mumbai’s sprawling slums evolved into a meditation on the art of story-telling. I’m not going to jump the shark by saying too much. You can hear Danny in his own words here. Trust me, it’s worth it.

I have long been a believer that a single story can change the world. The story of poor carpenter from Bethlehem certainly is proof of that. In more modern times, we’ve watched (for better) the story of how a “half naked fakir” brought down the British Empire (Gandhi) and (for worse) the story of how a failed army corporal perpetrated the worst genocide in human history, each changing the course of our civilization. In our conversation, Danny says it well: “Storytelling is how we talk to each other. It shapes and gives architecture to conversations and circumstances.”

And yet, if you ask me, it’s also why we find ourselves where we are today, with economies and ecologies crumbling. We’ve replaced our mythical heroes – the great prophets of spiritual traditions or the larger than life protagonists of legends like Homer’s Odyssey or Valmiki’s Ramayan – with false prophets, Jihadis and Jezebels, petty tyrants and power-hungry sycophants.

If as a civilization we want to see ourselves progress to our next stage of collective evolution, then we need to create new stories and mine new story-tellers (as well as rely on the wisdom of our elders). Today, we are watching the same old story in the Middle East, the definition of insanity wherein both sides react the same way they have for generations as if expecting a different result. Rationalize it all you want, logically articulate why one side is more righteous than the other (and trust me, I know where I fall…) it still doesn’t change the reality of the murder, mayhem, rancor, and generational rage on the ground fueling an endless cycle of war. Likewise, we need a new story in India and Pakistan today, where the same feud that has raged for decades (even centuries before Pakistan was Pakistan) now threatens the rest of the world. With our ancient habits and modern technologies, we now have the potency to destroy our planet several times over (as if we wouldn’t be satisfied doing it just once).

Alas, Danny Boyle’s fabulous film Slumdog Millionaire is not the panacea that will solve all of the world’s problems (or even just the ones above!). But if there is one thing we might learn from great film-making, or even more elemental, great story-telling and those that practice the craft, it is that through our stories, we have tremendous power. We have the ability to inspire, lead, and transform. The greatest superheroes are ones that embody great archetypes and whose journeys are ones of mythic transformation. From Icarus to Indra, Solomon to Superman, our greatest heroes are those that teach us about ourselves, bring out the best in us, and allow us to create the world we aspire for children.

Now if that doesn’t convince you to see this film, I don’t know what will.

Listen to Danny Boyle and Gotham Chopra's coversation here.

Read Mallika Chopra's blog about street children in India and listen to Danny Boyle's interview about his experiences in the slums of India

Gotham Chopra regularly blogs at www.intent.com

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Posted by Gotham Chopra at January 9, 2009 01:02 PM

Comments

ye --- am convinced.

1. Posted by jen-d [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 9, 2009 02:57 PM

oh goodie! Tomorrow, I am off to see Slumdog Millionaire, instead of the cleaning and sorting I was planning on doing...ruth

2. Posted by ruth [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 9, 2009 03:39 PM

Nice speech Gotham but I disagree, what a surprise.

Look all around you Gotham, read the blogs, read the posts on Intent and a million other blogs, Facebook,MySpace,Youtube.... a billion stories are being told by any and all with an internet connection. I realize we aren't all like Gandhi or Valmiki, but we have truth to share and perhaps what we have to say is not always going to topple the British Empire, but it's what is responsible for awakening a global community Gotham, I'm surprised you don't see this, it's right under your nose. The price we pay for this global storytelling includes the scum as well.

You have convinced me of seeing the movie and I want to see Wrestler as well, thanks

Steve

3. Posted by Ambasteve [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 10, 2009 08:10 AM

Here's a story that's needs to be told:


Just weeks ago, terrorists attacked Mumbai, seized hostages, tortured them, killed them, and mutilated their bodies. The police intercepts of the phone conversations between the terrorists and their controllers:

"Pakistan caller 1: 'Kill all hostages, except the two Muslims. Keep your phone switched on so that we can hear the gunfire.'

"Mumbai terrorist 2: 'We have three foreigners, including women. From Singapore and China'

"Pakistan caller 1: 'Kill them.'

"(Voices of gunmen can be heard directing hostages to stand in a line, and telling two Muslims to stand aside. Sound of gunfire. Sound of cheering voices.)"


British Empire collasped in India, Pakistan was created resulting in over a million deaths and now we have this 60 years later with a potential for nuclear standoff and at the least 50,000 trooops amassed on India's border, all the while children in Mumbais'slums are having acid poured into their eyes so they can beg for more money.

A story indeed

4. Posted by Ambasteve [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 10, 2009 08:26 AM

amber...those people are sick...evil...to call them animals would be wrong...'cause animals kill to eat...

5. Posted by Diablo [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 10, 2009 12:09 PM

American should invade India and Pakistan to bring "justice" and "freedom" to that area of the world . . .

6. Posted by empyrius [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 10, 2009 01:33 PM

Hi Gotham and Everyone,

Well, I just came from seeing Slumdog Millionaire and it was, simply, great storytelling, in every sense of the word, loved it. Danny Boyle did a superb job on this film. Jamal is a beautiful character to follow through two hours of adventure. The story taking place, in India, and, the characters, Indian, is beyond interesting, you do not want to take your eyes of the screen for a moment, for fear you will be missing something. I have never been to India and my eyes did not want to miss any of the scenery.

It is always, more than a pleasure, to go to a film and find that you happened upon a gem from very talented writers, and directors.

Jamal is a very uplifting and inspiring character well worth two hours of anyones time.

now, I have to figure out when to see the Wrestler...saw the coming attractions and it does look very good...

have a great evening everyone, ruth

7. Posted by ruth [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 10, 2009 02:56 PM

Too late Craig, India invaded the US first... with curry and Yoga, we have been conquered.

India is steeped in fate and karma and move on with their lives.

Chai anybody?

I hope it warms up in the inland empire brother

8. Posted by Ambasteve [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 10, 2009 04:53 PM

Hey, nice postings here - I agree with ambasteve that the heroic stories are all around us if we take time to listen to ordinary people and all their extraordinary experiences. Here are a couple of my stories - love to all *

http://adamsunshine.blogspot.com/2007/05/message-and-vision-of-our-lady.html

http://adamsunshine.blogspot.com/2007/05/dreams.html

9. Posted by adamsunshine [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 11, 2009 10:48 PM

4. Posted by Ambasteve said "British Empire collasped in India, Pakistan was created resulting in over a million deaths and now we have this 60 years later ...all the while children in Mumbais'slums are having acid poured into their eyes so they can beg for more money."

Not sure what message you wanted to convey. As I understand you don't like the idea of India and Pakistan getting Independance from Great Britain.

10. Posted by kadambha [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 14, 2009 12:54 PM

who is " kadambha?" ...that igloo dweller? damn!

11. Posted by Diablo [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 14, 2009 03:31 PM

No igloos in Indian continent, Diablo :)

12. Posted by Ed [TypeKey Profile Page] on January 14, 2009 03:53 PM

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