Responding to criticism that they exploited slum dwellers in their Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire , the makers of the film said today (Thursday) that they had donated $750,000 to Plan, an international children's charity that has been working in India since 1979. The money would be earmarked to help educate 5,000 children in Mumbai over the next five years. In a statement, director Danny Boyle said, "Having benefited so much from the hospitality of the people of Mumbai it is only right that some of the success of the movie be plowed back into the city in areas where it is needed most and where it can make a real difference to some lives. ... Despite intimidating odds, extraordinary work is going on to help people break the cycle of poverty through education. We're delighted that this initiative will add to that ongoing work."
16/04/2009
