Slumdog Millionaire's 'poverty porn'

As Slumdog Millionaire wends its way to the Oscars, it is reopening controversies about movies and their financial responsibility to the people that they portray. Focusing on a young Indian street urchin who uses a television show to pursue his beloved, the film was partially shot in the slums of Mumbai, India, and used many local citizens both as actors and as support staff for the production.

While the film is unflinching in its portrayal of urban poverty, director Danny Boyle also was careful to acknowledge the excitement and vitality of the ghetto, a decision that has led some critics to accuse him of producing "poverty porn." While often harsh in its portrayal of Mumbai, the film has also boosted tourism to the city. In fact, Reality Tours and Travel, a company that leads travelers around the Mumbai slums, has experienced a 25% increase in business since the movie's release.