The President is Coming

There are few places in the world these days where George W. Bush is welcomed with open arms rather than projectile loafers. India is definitely a last-standing outpost of We-Heart-Bush sentiment (thanks in no small part to his giving us our nukes), and that excitement over our lame duck is captured in the new film The President is Coming, about Bush's 2006 visit to India and the fierce competition to be the representative "young Indian" to shake the presidential hand.

Among the hopefuls: a pretentious and cutting female Bengali novelist, a South Indian IITan who speaks almost exclusively in proofs, India's top accent trainer whose dream is to return to America after being unceremoniously deported several years back, a weasel-y new-money stock trader, a pro-Hindustan social worker, and a rich Delhi daddy's girl who proudly claims herself to be the Indian Paris Hilton.

The film was written by Anuvab Pal (of Loins of Punjab fame), again based on his own hit play, and is shot in the similar mockumentary, Christopher Guest style. I've had the pleasure of spending some time with Anuvab during my current sojourn in Bombay, and I've officially labeled him the Indian Ricky Gervais.

In a time when Bombay's glitterati is concerned only about their own personal safety ("oh my god, yaar, what if I had been at Harbor Bar the night of the attacks!") or the thudding sound of their pay rates falling to the floor, Anuvab is a breath of fresh air. His film serves the same function on a slightly more macro level.

It's interesting to note that The President is Coming was having it's premiere on November 26th, the night the attacks broke out. The film was halted mid-screening and the high-profile audience ushered to the safety of their gated Juhu bungalows. The release of the film was subsequently delayed until January 9th (in India only for now, but stay tuned for a US release date).

Personally, I think it was a blessing in disguise. What better time to commemorate the out-going President than during his final few days in office, when he concievably can't do any more harm. If you're in India, go see this movie on the 9th, and if not, keep a close eye out for its release.