Aussie Aussie Aussie !

[bollywhirl]

Temple, please find out what Sarah McDonald is up to these days   Wish she would write another book.

Sree, I love Last Seen in Lhasa.  Was reading it while travelling in Tibet.

Hi there. Claire Scobie is a lovely person. I've met her a couple of times and she is so genuine and thoughtful. I sent a copy of her book to the Nepali guy who was my guide in Tibet and he loves it as much as I do. Her next 2 projects will be set in South India so if anyone knows of good films or books set in 18th century Tamil Nadu, please pass on your recommendations!

I dont know what Sarah MacDonald is up to. She spoke about and read from Holy Cow only. Sorry I can't help

Its bucketing rain down here - we are supposed to get 1 month's worth  of rainfall in 2 days so I didn't hang around at the venue for too long. I may catch a few more sessions tomorrow and will see what I can dig up for you

[bolly.fan]

I heard on the radio of some kind of challenge about replacing the ho-hum Aussie Aussie Aussie chant with something else...

... any suggestions anyone? I think this has to do with the Ashes series.

How about Bolly Bolly Bolly! Wood Wood Wood!

I couldn't resist.

[vivster]

The Indian Film Festival Short Film Competition is back for all the aspiring filmmarkers.

http://www.indianfilmfestival.com.au/wucomp.html

The theme this year is "Dream".  Go for it !!!

[bollywhirl]

This is already underway but might be of interest:
http://www.imff.com.au/index.html

Not to be confused with the Mind Blowing films fest :The 'Indian Melbourne Film Festival' is one of a unique platform to celebrate the best of the Indian films (in various regional languages) showcasing the talent and contribution of many individuals towards the film industry to audiences right here in Melbourne, Australia. Through this event, we not only screen movies of diverse culture but also take the opportunity to bring people from various backgrounds together at one place and enjoy a good time.

[bolly.fan]

I thought it is about time there is a thread for BW fans from our little corner of the world.

If you are a Crow Eater or have visited where we live and would like to share your experiences of our land, passions about bollywood films, even know of up coming bollywood related events in our region, please feel free to post your messages and greetings here. All I ask is to be considerate.

For those of you that are puzzled about who are "Crow Eaters" and where you find them... I simple google search would suffice. See link below.

http://www.google.com.au/#hl=en&source=hp&biw=1366&bih=576&q=crow+eater&aq=f&aqi=g5g-m5&aql=&oq=&fp=74260b900e1da60c

[tabula rasa]

Had no idea of this slang till right now. What are the origins of this terminology? It sounds slightly derogatory, though it might not be?

[vivster]

The dates for Indian Film Festival have been finalised.

[lydia]

Thanks for alert on program still no info. on Mind Blowing site. Judging from cover - Arbaaz Khan and Malaika are guests. Is that Vidya?? Juhi? Who is the non-Indian looking person and the other directors? Khabir Khan?? There is always a strong Yash Raj connection with Mind Blowing Films.

[melbguy]

Thanks for alert on program still no info. on Mind Blowing site. Judging from cover - Arbaaz Khan and Malaika are guests. Is that Vidya?? Juhi? Who is the non-Indian looking person and the other directors? Khabir Khan?? There is always a strong Yash Raj connection with Mind Blowing Films.

these are the guests -->  http://indianfilmfestival.com.au/guests.html#les

[melbguy]

anyone attending the festival in aus?  It was showed in abc news at 7...kind of surprising...had a short 1 min interview of vidya balan.....

[bollywhirl]

Yeah I'm only going to a couple of things. It's a fairly disappointing programme in some respects as a lot of the Hindi films are recent releases and I've seen them. And their 'Beyond Bollywood" listing is not great; they only have one Telugu film (and it's not the one I would have picked, but you can't have everything) and a lot of the  Bengali and Malayalam films sound similar in style and mood. But it will be good to see Do Dooni Chaar finally.

[lydia]

For those living in the western suburbs of Melbourne there is a new branch of Bollywood Buzz open in West Footscray/Tottenham - in Central West shopping centre.

[tabula rasa]

Hey guys

Without giving too much away, I've scored a paying gig writing about Indians in Brisbane (well, within AUstralia, but with a Brisbane tilt).

Was wondering if you guys could help me with topic ideas - anything you've noticed about the Indian community, or any cross-cultural stuff with the Aussie communities, anything that's changed in the landscape with their presence, any issues that the authorities may have been ignoring - anything you can think of ? Will be really grateful.

[bollywhirl]

For those living in the western suburbs of Melbourne there is a new branch of Bollywood Buzz open in West Footscray/Tottenham - in Central West shopping centre.

Thanks Lydia! I'll have to go check it out.

[lydia]

The City Library in Flinders Lane Melbourne (next to CAE) and Degreaves St. has a large collection of Bollywood movies - (all eras) that can be borrowed. Some are a little worn but with a bit of a clean they play well enough. Lots are borrowed so keep checking for returns and you'll definitely find something of interest. I was quite excited to find the collection. There are Dillip Kumars, Sashi Kapoors, Shammi Kapoors, Raj Kapoors, Rishi Kapoors, Dev Anands, Dharmendras, Anil Kapoors, Sanjay Dutts and many recent releases - Salman, SRK, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahid..... Someone has been selecting quite comprehensively.

[Deewani_Aurat]

Hey guys

Without giving too much away, I've scored a paying gig writing about Indians in Brisbane (well, within AUstralia, but with a Brisbane tilt).

Was wondering if you guys could help me with topic ideas - anything you've noticed about the Indian community, or any cross-cultural stuff with the Aussie communities, anything that's changed in the landscape with their presence, any issues that the authorities may have been ignoring - anything you can think of ? Will be really grateful.

TR I just noticed your topic now...you still interested in some topics?

[tabula rasa]

Yeah, sure! Am always on the lookout for story possibilities

[Deewani_Aurat]

Yeah, sure! Am always on the lookout for story possibilities

Although this isn't really a story possibility its more of a question for you (and indians of brisbane).

Ok in Sydney and Melbourne I would say there is a healthy desi community, there are certainly many areas that have all the indian clothing, food and dvd needs.  I would think as a new comer from India I would find it easier to adjust because there is such a strong community in those cities you don't really feel alone.  Although in Brisbane all i see is alot of anglo aussies and not alot of multiculturalism. I won't use the word bogans to describe queenslanders, but how do i say less aware (or dare i say accepting) of other cultures. Anyway in such a mono society is it hard for indian immigrants to adjust? Or is there more than meets the eye for the indian community in Queensland?  Its probably too controversial for your articles but i would like to hear your thoughts on the matter.

[tabula rasa]

Hey DA, didn't see this till now.

This is a question I do want to ask those I know, but not right now.

As for my own personal view - yes I believe that Brisbane compared to Syd and Melb IS less multicultural and more mono, and well yes I'll say it, the queenslanders ARE more bogan

I think the Indians here adjust to it the way I once did - by trying to be more Aussie than the Aussie, by seeming more bogan than the bogan. (There's a great episode on Goodness Gracious Me that touches on this phenomena, where Indians try to be more British than the British). I think it's a mode of survival. There's a very high performative aspect to all this. I even have a friend, of Chinese descent, who recently published a memoir, which is written WITH this performative aspect in mind, but instead of being conscious of it, he uses it as his default position in the narrative, which to me screams fakeness - because I KNOW when it's being put on - I've done it myself.

A recent example would be my newsagent. It was run by an Aussie couple for years, now it has two Indians running it - two guys, one obviously more newly arrived than the other. The one who's been here longer, used to be quiet, shy, spoke with an Indian accent, seemed self-conscious, and would perk up when I mentioned wanting to pick up my Vogue India, or talk about bollywood, etc. Now, he speaks with a VERY obvious Aussie accent, but is also louder, more forthcoming, cracks jokes, tells me about knockoff phone gadgets you can find in India, boasts of all the foreign trips he's taken around the world - somehow, trying to come across as someone worldly, assured, and 'Australian'. I'm not sure what to make of this - I'm happy for him that he's more confident now, but it's come from, or included, the fact that he doesn't speak the way he normally speaks anymore - and is trying to be something different. I don't blame him. The second you have an Aussie accent you're instantly more accepted. But yes, that's the Brisbane I live in, where you need to make your difference as invisible as possible.

I used to be very aware of these things, not so anymore - esply when I realised some years ago exactly how bogan some of them can get. I am fortunate in having some friends who're highly knowledgeable, well-read and well-travelled, with whom I'm comfortable with, but they're clearly in the minority here. And so once in a while, I will say/do something that I KNOW may be uncomfortable for the Aussie person, but I let it sit there, in the awkward atmosphere between us, and I let the awkwardness remain, because really, I'm just being myself, and sometimes I'm just a little tired of bearing the burden of the Australian's level of comfort. I don't always have to be responsible for somebody else's inability to break out of heteronormativity.

Sorry for rant. Late night and all.

[tabula rasa]

oh dear - didn't realise the last post was actually mine - and look at that rant! I must've been on something!

Anyhow - am back again after more foreign sojurns, and I must say, in a way, it's good to be back in Oz, back to real life.

Also, for the other Aussies out there - I'm considering moving down to Melbourne. I'm on the lookout for jobs and units, but I sense that the best way might actually be to stay with a friend for a bit while on this lookout - what do you guys think? Does that sound most feasible?

Looking forward to your inputs...

[red42]

Also, for the other Aussies out there - I'm considering moving down to Melbourne. I'm on the lookout for jobs and units, but I sense that the best way might actually be to stay with a friend for a bit while on this lookout - what do you guys think? Does that sound most feasible?

Hi TR

Just saw your message - haven't been on here for a while - and would agree that sounds like a good plan. When I first came to Oz I stayed in Sydney, but a few weeks in Melbourne during that first visit convinced me that if I ever came back I'd definitely want to live in Melbourne.
So when I emigrated 15 years ago it was the only place I looked for work

Have you moved yet? Let me know if there's anything you can't find in Melbourne & will help if I can

[tabula rasa]

Oh, red, just saw this message! How sweet of you - but I've had to postpone my move for a bit. But could I ask for your help at a later time if I need to?

In other news - AMITABH BACHCHAN IS COMING TO MY ALMA MATER TOMORROW - AND I'M PART OF THE PRESS TEAM.

I'll be covering the event, and may even get an interview spot with him. Weeeeee-ha!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone with any questions they want to put forth to the Big B???

[latishya]

In other news - AMITABH BACHCHAN IS COMING TO MY ALMA MATER TOMORROW - AND I'M PART OF THE PRESS TEAM.

Wow! That is fantastic, congrats! I hope you have a nice mix of intelligent thoughtful conversation and good old-fashioned squeeing

[melbguy]

ra. one not showing in hoyts in melb!  only in greater union n village...kind of surprising

[lydia]

ra. one not showing in hoyts in melb!  only in greater union n village...kind of surprising

Not so surprising since most Eros films seem to be shown there. Yash-Raj and Dharma (through Mind-Blowing films) shown at Hoyts.
Paheli, Om Shanti Om (also Eros) shown at Greater Union.