# The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

> 2011 film directed by John Madden

**Wikidata**: [Q830295](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q830295)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Best_Exotic_Marigold_Hotel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel

## Summary
*The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel* is a 2011 British comedy-drama film directed by John Madden. It follows a group of British retirees who move to a luxury hotel in India, only to find that the establishment is far from the advertised paradise. The film blends humor and pathos while exploring themes of aging, love, and cultural adaptation.

## Key Facts
- Directed by John Madden.
- Released in 2011 with varying regional release dates: November 30, 2011; February 24, 2012; March 15, 2012; and May 3, 2012.
- Classified as both a comedy film and a drama film.
- Also categorized under LGBTQ-related film.
- Produced by Participant, a now-defunct American production company.
- Distributed by Searchlight Pictures, an American film distribution company based in the United States.
- The official website is http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thebestexoticmarigoldhotel/.
- Has 37 sitelinks.
- Preceded by its sequel, *The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*, released in 2015.
- Set in the United Kingdom and India, reflecting cross-cultural themes.
- Also known by the alias "Best Exotic Marigold Hotel".

## FAQs
**What genre is *The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*?**  
The film is classified as both a comedy film and a drama film. It also falls under the category of LGBTQ-related film due to its inclusion of characters dealing with themes of sexuality and identity.

**Who directed the film?**  
John Madden directed *The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*. He also directed its sequel, *The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*, released in 2015.

**When was the film released?**  
It had multiple release dates: November 30, 2011; February 24, 2012; March 15, 2012; and May 3, 2012.

**Which companies were involved in its production and distribution?**  
Participant, a now-defunct American production company, produced the film. Searchlight Pictures, an American film distribution company headquartered in the U.S., distributed it.

**What is the official website for the film?**  
The official website is http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thebestexoticmarigoldhotel/.

**Is there a sequel to the film?**  
Yes, *The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel* was released in 2015 and was also directed by John Madden.

**What is the film’s setting and cultural context?**  
The film is set in India and explores the lives of British retirees adapting to a new cultural environment, highlighting themes of aging and self-discovery.

## Why It Matters
*The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel* stands out for its nuanced portrayal of aging, offering a rare cinematic lens into the lives of older adults navigating new cultural landscapes. It challenges stereotypes about retirement and reinvention, presenting a narrative that is both humorous and deeply human. The film's exploration of cross-cultural dynamics resonates with global audiences, particularly in an era of increasing international mobility and aging populations. Its success paved the way for a sequel and demonstrated that stories centered on older characters can be both commercially viable and critically acclaimed.

## Notable For
- Being categorized under multiple genres, including comedy, drama, and LGBTQ-related film.
- Featuring a diverse ensemble cast that explores themes of aging and self-reinvention.
- Pioneering a narrative focused on older protagonists in mainstream cinema.
- Highlighting cultural contrasts between British and Indian societies.
- Being produced by Participant, a now-defunct American production company.
- Distributed by Searchlight Pictures, known for independent and art-house films.
- Having a sequel titled *The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel* released in 2015.
- Receiving international recognition with multiple release dates across different regions.

## Body

### Production and Release
*The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel* is a 2011 film directed by John Madden. It was produced by Participant, an American production company that ceased operations after its founding in 2004. The film was distributed by Searchlight Pictures, a U.S.-based distributor known for independent films, which has been in operation since 1994. The film was released on multiple dates: November 30, 2011; February 24, 2012; March 15, 2012; and May 3, 2012, indicating a staggered global rollout.

### Genre and Themes
The film is classified as both a comedy and a drama, allowing it to appeal to a wide audience through its blend of humor and emotional depth. It also falls under the category of LGBTQ-related film, contributing to broader representation in cinema. The narrative explores themes of aging, love, and cultural adaptation, particularly through the lens of British retirees adjusting to life in India.

### Sequel and Continuation
The success of *The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel* led to a sequel titled *The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel*, also directed by John Madden and released in 2015. Both films form a duology centered on the lives of British expatriates in India.

### Cultural and Geographic Context
Set primarily in India, the film contrasts British and Indian cultures, offering a narrative that is both a character study and a cultural commentary. The setting plays a crucial role in the film's identity, as it serves as a backdrop for the characters' personal transformations.

### Official Presence and Recognition
The film maintains an official website at http://www.foxsearchlight.com/thebestexoticmarigoldhotel/, providing a digital hub for promotional and informational content. It has been linked across 37 different sites, indicating a strong digital presence and cultural impact.

### Organizational Affiliations
- **Participant**: The now-defunct production company that produced the film was founded in 2004 and based in the United States.
- **Searchlight Pictures**: The distributor, established in 1994, is known for promoting independent and art-house films and is headquartered in the U.S.

### Thematic Classifications
- **Comedy Film**: The film uses humor to explore serious themes, making it accessible to a wide audience.
- **Drama Film**: It delves into emotional and relational complexities, especially among its older characters.
- **LGBTQ-related Film**: The film includes storylines that touch on LGBTQ themes, contributing to its diverse narrative scope.

### Legacy and Impact
The film's success demonstrated that stories centered on older adults can resonate with global audiences, challenging industry norms that often overlook this demographic. Its blend of comedy, drama, and cultural commentary has made it a significant entry in contemporary cinema, with its sequel continuing its narrative legacy.

## References

1. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/hotel-marigold)
2. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412386/)
3. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=186338.html)
4. [Source](https://filmow.com/o-exotico-hotel-marigold-t42770/)
5. [Source](http://www.filmstarts.de/kritiken/214989.html)
6. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412386/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. Letterboxd
10. The Movie Database
11. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Rotten Tomatoes
12. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1412386/releaseinfo)
13. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
15. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2012.328.0.html)
16. Kinopoisk
17. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/best-exotic-marigold-hotel-2011)
18. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/the-best-exotic-marigold-hotel/)
19. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
20. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2012&s_month=9&e_year=2012&e_month=9&pageID=2)
21. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/132467)
22. [Source](http://infoicaa.mecd.es/CatalogoICAA/Peliculas/GetPdf?Pelicula=248411)
23. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=13965)
24. [Source](http://www.rtc.gob.mx/NuevoSitio/cine_clasif_35mm.php?cd=104)
25. Bechdel Test Movie List
26. mymovies.it
27. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/3B54-6DE0-2A1B-D022-18BB-C)
28. Danish Film Database
29. Trakt.tv
30. FilmVandaag.nl