Deepa Mehta's Water Gets Oscar Nod
Director Deepa Mehta's Water Nominated Best Foreign-Language Oscar
Feb 2, 2007
Director Deepa Mehta's Water, a moving portrayal of Indian widows was nominated for a best foreign-language Oscar late-January 2007 . It's a Canadian first in that category and the director celebrated the Academy nod in Toronto early February with producer David Hamilton and a crowd of industry well-wishers.
Champagne
Between a chorus of champagne toasts, Mehta told reporters she was thrilled that her beautifully shot film - depicting ancient traditions, which force Indian widows into poverty, servitude and prostitution - was recognized by the academy.
"My daughter was jumping up and down and David (Hamilton, producer) started crying," Mehta said.
Producer David Hamilton noted that it was the first time Canada has put forward a film that wasn't French Canadian. (Water's in hindi with english subtitles). It's significant, says Hamilton, for millions of new-Canadians who should feel a new level of cultural acceptance and importance in the country.
"It opens up avenues for anyone who is an immigrant in this country and has a story to tell," a clearly elated Hamilton told the crowd.
Stars Aligned
Of Water's Oscar nod, Hamilton says he feels like the world is working in his favour. Which is saying something given the tremendous obstacles the film faced - including, famously, having the entire production shut down.
While shooting in India in 2000, Mehta received death threats and had her phone tapped. Riots surrounded the shoot and Mehta was burned in effigy by Hindu extremists offended by the film's content. Finally the Indian government withdrew the film permit and cast and crew fled the country. (The film is still banned in India)
Mehta and Hamilton took a break from the project (shooting instead Bollywood/Hollywood -- "something fun" says Hamilton) before regathering Water's cast and crew and - under a pseudonym - remounting the shoot in Sri Lanka.
Critical Acclaim
Noting the critical acclaim Water received when it opened in late 2005 (and was also the Gala opener at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival) Distributor Hussain Amarshi (Mongrel Media) told the Toronto revellers that "in some ways, the academy is catching up with us."
Looking ahead to the big night, Mehta told reporters she plans to wear an antique sari from her mother's wedding trousseau to the red carpet in Hollywood
"It is plain gold and very elegant," says Mehta, "I think it's right to wear mom's sari."
