India-inspired ‘Smile Pinki’ bags Oscar for best short documentary from SindhToday.net

Los Angeles, Feb 23 (IANS) American filmmaker Megan Mylan won the best short documentary Oscar for her movie “Smile Pinki”, a heartwarming tale of a poor Indian village girl whose cleft lip made her a social outcast.

The documentary, which bagged the award here Sunday, traces Pinki’s journey from being ostracised to being treated like a normal girl after a social worker helped her undergo surgery.

Mylan says the happy ending inspired her to show Pinki’s story.

“As a filmmaker who focuses on social issue documentaries, it is rare that I get into a film knowing we’re likely to have a happy ending. So, I was excited to tell the story of this beautiful hospital and a team of doctors and social workers treating their patients with such compassion and quality care and making a positive impact,” said Mylan.

“We didn’t have any money for the surgery and I used to wish that she would die. But things changed after the operation. And I really wish that the film wins at the Oscars,” said Pinki’s mother before the ceremony.

“Spielzeugland (Toyland)” won the best short film (live action) Oscar. A Mephisto Film Production by Jochen Alexander Freydank, the 14-minute film is set in 1942 and is the story of a German boy who believes that his Jewish neighbours are going to Toyland.

"Smile Pinki" wins Oscar for Best Documentary Short from Media dis&dat

The short documentary "Smile Pinki" focuses on children born with cleft palates and a program called Smile Train that provides them with corrective surgery.

Here's what CNN said about Pinki Sonkar, the Indian girl who is the focus of the film:

    While all eyes seem to be on "Slumdog Millionaire" for the Oscars, one very courageous little girl will be focused on another India-based film at the ceremony.

    Pinki, like millions in developing countries, had to live with her deformity and suffer the social consequences.

    It's called "Smile Pinki," and it's up for an Oscar, too -- nominated for best short documentary, which it won on Feb. 22.

    The little girl watching it from inside the Oscar ceremony has traveled all the way to Los Angeles, California, from her small Indian village with her dad -- and it has been an incredible journey for Pinki Sonkar.

    "Smile Pinki" tells the story of her transformation from a sad outcast to a vibrant 8-year-old with plenty of spunk.

    Pinki was born with a cleft lip, and her impoverished family did not have the money for corrective surgery.

    Like millions of other children born with the lip deformity in developing countries, Pinki simply had to live with it and suffer the social consequences.

    Her father Rajendra Sonkar says: "She used to go to school and the kids would not befriend her. She would say, 'I don't want to go to school.'"

    "Pinki was a depressed, sad, lonely, shy, young little girl, growing up on the periphery of the society in a little village," said Satish Kalra, director of Smile Train's South Asian region, after meeting with Pinki.

    The little girl's own family was ashamed of her, Kalra says.

    But all of that has changed. Pinki is now a real pistol, full of energy and confidence, and she has a fantastic smile too -- thanks to the Smile Train charity.

    Smile Train teaches doctors in their own countries to operate on cleft lips, a deformity afflicting up to four million children across the world.

    Pinki just happened to be one of the chosen candidates for surgery and was also chosen to be the subject of the documentary.

    The film chronicles her transformation, following her from her village to the hospital and home again.

    "She has absolutely and totally changed," said Pinki's surgeon, Dr. Subodh Kumar.

    The film's director is Megan Mylan. She has won several awards but not an Oscar -- until now.

    For Pinki and her dad, being able to see the film's director win an Oscar would be a thrill. But they know they already have the greatest prize: Pinki's new smile.

    "I am so happy that my daughter's lips have been repaired," her dad Rajendra said with a smile, expressing hope that the movie will inspire people to help children whose families can't afford the surgery.

Angie Harmon from News Politics Celebrities Movies Current

This Angie Harmon chick just had a baby and lost some weight. So what does everyone do? They sit around and talk about it! Incredible! Do we have nothing better to do than talk about Angie Harmon’s weight loss? I’m not talking about it mind you, I’m bitching about YOU talking about it which is very different. This chick is a star on Law and Order. She is MOST unattractive with the really short hair that makes her look like some kind of evil dike. Grow some hair baby! What’s up with these butch babes? I don’t think they look good, hell no! Short hair is for guys not for woman thank you. This is all part of that feminism bullshit which is helping to ruin America by the way. Angie Harmon might be a babe if she grew some fucking hair! Whta the fuck is wrong with her? Man, I just don’t get it.

Angie Harmon’s post-baby diet from InTouch

Angie Harmon may have just given birth to daughter Emery in December, but she has already shed the post-baby pounds! The Law & Order actress’ secret? “I’m breast-feeding, and I’m exhausted,” the mother of three told In Touch at the Saks Fifth Avenue Unforgettable Evening event in Beverly Hills on February 10. And Angie isn't cutting back the calories. “Right now, I'm literally eating every piece of meat that I see. I have a hamburger at lunch, and I make pot roast, anything with meat in it,” the ravenous star said. But she also credits her svelte figure to good genes. “I mean, genetically I’m a skinny girl so it’s not hard for me,” she added. In addition to Emery, Angie and her husband, former NFL star Jason Sehorn, have daughters Finley, 5, and Avery, 3.

Jerry Lewis Gets Humanitarian Oscar from Daily Contributor

Legendary comedian Jerry Lewis accepted a humanitarian award during Sunday night’s Academy Awards ceremony in a presentation that honored both his philanthropy and his acting.

The trophy was presented to the 82-year-old actor by Eddie Murphy, who starred in a remake of one of Lewis’ signature roles, “The Nutty Professor.”

“Thank you so very much,” a visibly moved Lewis said upon receiving the golden statuette.

Lewis is the 33rd recipient of the Jean Hersholt humanitarian award. The academy presents this honor on “an individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.”

The last time Lewis appeared on the Oscars was 50 years ago, as one of the hosts of the 1959 show.

“For most of my life I thought that doing good for someone didn’t mean you would receive commendation for that act of kindness,” Lewis said. “At least until now.

But before the ceremony, dozens of people with disabilities, many in wheelchairs, protested Lewis being given the honor. Many came from all over the country to join in the protest.

In 1990, Lewis wrote a first-person essay entitled “If I Had Muscular Dystrophy” for Parade magazine, in which he characterized those with muscular dystrophy as “being half a person”.

Many in the disabled community viewed his views as prejudicial, contributing to the idea that people with disabilities are “childlike, helpless, hopeless and noncontributing members of society”.

Jerry Lewis Feels The Oscar Love from hollywoodreporter.com

Comedy film icon Jerry Lewis was greeted with a standing ovation when he took the Kodak Theatre stage to accept a special Oscar for his longtime charitable endeavors.

Never nominated for an Oscar, the prolific multihyphenate was honored with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Lewis said he was deeply touched by the honor.

"For most of my life, I've thought that doing good for someone didn't mean you would receive any commendation for an act of kindness -- until now," said Lewis, who has battled health problems in recent years and spoke in slow but strong voice. "This award touches me in the very depths of my soul."

Eddie Murphy presented the honorary Oscar to Lewis, whom he dubbed a "famous overgrown kid" who has drawn inspiration from children.

"To all of you in the movie business, it's such a joy to be a part of you and all that you do," said Lewis, who made his screen debut in 1949, appearing with nightclub-act partner Dean Martin in the romantic comedy "My Friend Irma."

In more recent decades, Lewis drew equal acclaim for his televised charity marathons on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. The annual Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon has raised more than $2 billion since 1966.

Lewis and Martin starred in 16 films, and the pair eventually followed solo career paths. Lewis gained prominence as a comedy star, director and producer with film credits including "The Bellboy," "The Nutty Professor," "The Disorderly Orderly" and Martin Scorsese's "The King of Comedy."

The Academy's selection of Lewis to receive this year's humanitarian award has drawn criticism. Some cited his use of the slur "fag" on his 2007 telethon, and during an interview in October on Australian TV, he referred to cricket as "a fag game." Some in the disabled community also objected to the honor going to Lewis, claiming that he has perpetuated negative stereotypes involving people with disabilities.

Academy exec director Bruce Davis defended the Academy's decision against such Internet-based protests, saying Lewis "has shouldered the back-breaking job of organizing, and then leading, an unparalleled three-day fundraising effort on behalf of muscular dystrophy sufferers."