The European Union too has a share in the Oscar glory of Slumdog Millionaire, as the 27-nation bloc had chipped in thousands of euros for the distribution of the film.
The movie - a rags to riches story of an Indian boy - received 8,30,000 euros as financial assistance from the EU’s MEDIA programme for distribution in 2008 and this year.
The total budget of the film, which won eight Oscars including two for Indian music maestro AR Rahman, is estimated to be around 11 million euros.
“The scale of the triumph, be it the eight Oscars or its (Slumdog Millionaire) popularity with audiences worldwide, shows that the support by the EU’s MEDIA programme is paying off,” EU’s Media Commissioner Viviane Reding said in a statement.
He said the success of Slumdog Millionaire shows that MEDIA funding is money well spent as it helps Europe’s cinema spread its cultural diversity worldwide.
British director Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire has also won the honours for the best motion picture at the 81st Academy Awards.
{{/usCountry}}British director Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire has also won the honours for the best motion picture at the 81st Academy Awards.
{{/usCountry}}Moreover, seven films funded by MEDIA programme were nominated for Oscars. They include Der Baader Meinhof Komplex (Germany, Uli Edel) and Entre les murs (France, Laurent Cantet).