Outsourced

"Outsourced" was dubbed into German for audiences in Germany...

Today we watched John Jeffcoat’s film “Outsourced” a satirical comedy by all standards. The film is funny but not without errors. It is running in almost all Berlin Cinemas – We decided for Kant Kino and reserved our tickets per telephone. Round about one hundred and thirty seat hall 2, the house was full. Running time for the film was one hours and forty-five minutes.

The story rotates around three main characters as the following:-

Call Centre Manager Todd (Josh Hamilton), American

Call Centre Assistant Asha (Ayesha Dharker) Indian

Call Centre Group Leader Purohit (Asif Basra) Indian

Now to criticize the film as per my perception -

The background and location is confusing with proclamation of Mumbai but presenting the Ghats of Varanasi. Mistake 1

Mr Todd puts up with a family as per friendly suggestion of Purohit sure but his chamber; in the house; looks more like one from an American New York City.

Usually Indian households have sparsely decorated furniture even if they are relics from colonial past! Mistake 2

If the background is Maharashtra, the picture on wall should be Ganesha and not Kali as shown in Mr Todd’s chamber. Interpretation on Kali better spared because she does not symbolise destruction but sound, words, letters, that imply vocal creation…tongue and severe is how we use our language chaining alphabets…heads…Kali deserves no shallow interpretation… Thus, well off not trying with impatient slap dash deciphering of Kali - revered mostly in Eastern parts of India! Mistake 3

Indians are qualified mostly Graduates and though may not be eloquent in American accents they know more than an average American about America. Kindly check statistic. Ok appreciate that “Internet” polished to American accent “Error net” was a great job done by American Manager on deputation to India but it was a bit too pressingly unrealistic, the learning bit! Cow down with humour maybe but a brainwashing into only slum topography was an exaggeration too. For India has teething problems of shanty landscape but not completely devoid of the other side of the coin! Mistake 4

Also, the character Asha having fun before marriage sounded superficial and phoney rather than “a development into an emotional relationship.” Just not done (Fun in Goa) except in some out of the way very rare anglicised pockets of Indian Society Mistake 5

“Outsourced” – to compare Halloween and Holi is another faulty message.

Halloween is all about Ghosts while Holi is all about gaming with Bright Colours – Red Orange Green -

It needs mention that in addition; Mr Purohit (Asif Basra) resembles Mr Bean to a certain extent. What so ever, it is a film possible to watch and laugh at our awkward situations in foreign lands with foreign culture!