Directed by Danny Boyle

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Jamal Malik (newcomer Dev Patel), who grew up on the streets of Mumbai, is about to completely change his life. At the beginning of this film, he is just one question away from winning an incredible 20 million rupees on India’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire television program. But the host of the show is suspicious and in the break, police arrest the impoverished young man. Forced to defend accusations of cheating, Jamal tells the story of his life. As he narrates his story we find out more about his life as an orphan, his thuggish older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal) and the love of his life Latika (Freida Pinto). Coincidentally, each chapter of his life reveals the answer to a question posed by the television game show host.

English director Danny Boyle combines drama, suspense, comedy and a little touch of Bollywood romance to produce a rich, life-affirming film. Based on the novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup, it is just the kind of film to start off the festive season. It is the sort of rags to riches film that those giving out Academy and Oscar awards just love, and because the story is told with so much passion and panache, it just might collecting one.

Slumdog Millionaire will be the first film at two of Perth’s popular outdoor cinemas this December. Movies by Burswood, which donates all of its profits to charities, will screen the film for one night (Friday 5 December) at the Burswood Parklands. See moviesbyburswood.com for the full program. Luna Outdoor is throwing a party for their opening night with Indian food from Maya Masala in Northbridge, music, wine and beer to accompany their screening of Slumdog Millionaire on Friday 12 December (also screening 13 and 14 December). See lunapalace.com.au for the full program of Luna Outdoors and the Camelot Outdoor Cinema.

Lezly Herbert