Desi Sweep

Slumdog's win(s), while monumental, seems to have overshadowed the success of two other films originating from India.

Smile Pinki and The Final Inch were both nominated in the Best Documentary Short Subject category, with Smile Pinki garnering the prize. Both films are extremely poignant and inspirational. And that's from viewing the trailers alone! I'm going to have to figure out where to watch these short films. There aren't enough theaters promoting them.

Watching the Oscars last night reminded me of another time in my life where I felt this rare pride and connection to India - rare because it wasn't elicited from my parents' stories or our trips to Kerala - but from this never-spoken but understood awareness of my heritage. It was when Sushmita Sen won the Ms. Universe pageant back in 1994. She was the consummate ethnic underdog. OH the YELPS and SQUEALING my parents endured that night.

I came close to feeling that yesterday. I guess I was so overwhelmed by all the Indian films nominated that my enthusiasm numbed. Nevertheless, 2009 is beginning to feel like the year of the crossover.

A full list of nominees and winners here.