Pather Panchali (1955)
The road to greatness starts in dirt.
Presentation:
If Bollywood has never been your cup of tea, it may be worth checking out this Bengali classic from the master Satyajit Ray. Being the first part of a trilogy, I have recommend the first film because although The World of Apu is probably the most well known, one should start with this coming of age introduction in order to understand the main character’s beginnings. This is a lethargically paced cinephiley film, which I normally wouldn’t have much patience for except for the beautiful cinematography and cultural value. The monochrome restoration of this film has the perfect exposure and crisp whites, which make the fields and sarees look like they belong in a surrealist painting. It’s impressive for 1955.
Conclusion:
This will likely be unwatchable for younger audiences as there’s no plot for the first hour, instead providing a glimpse into shared Bengali culture and familiar relationships. The aunt has one of the most recognizable faces that I will never forget and the tragic circumstances allow you to understand the difficulties of the developing country. Cultural films like these are welcome to remind us that no matter the race or culture, we humans all suffer the same. There’s poetry in poverty.
Recommendations
The road to greatness starts in dirt.