Pather Panchali
With the release in 1955 of Satyajit Ray's debut film, an eloquent and important new cinematic voice made itself heard all over the world. A depiction of rural Bengali life in a style inspired by Italian neorealism, PANTHER PANCHALI's naturalistic but poetic evocation of a number of years in the life of a family introduces us to both little Apu (Subir Banerjee) and, just as essentially, the women who will help shape him: his independent older sister, Durga; his harried mother, Sarbajaya, who, with her husband away, must hold the family together; and his kindly and mischievous elderly "auntie," Indir--vivid, multifaceted characters all.
With resplendent photography informed by its young protagonist's perpetual sense of discovery, PANTHER PANCHALI, which won an award for Best Human Document at Cannes, is an immersive cinematic experience and a film of elemental power.
Winner Best Film and Best Director at the 1957 San Francisco International Film Festival
Running Time
126 mins
Year
1955
Kanopy ID
1220946
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Comments (5)
An absolute masterpiece. The first of the Apu Trilogy, all of which are essential cinema.
A film to remember. Satyajit Ray has created art in a seemingly impossible situation. Highly recommended.
sad but so so good
Beautiful and poignant.
A beautiful debut film from master filmmaker, musician, and novelist Satyajit Ray. I cannot recommend Ray's films enough. See as many as you can.