What can I say about this movie? What can be said about this movie that has not been said already? Each image and each scene is imprinted on my mind as if I was there when it all happened.
First one from the Apu trilogy, this was also Satyajit Ray's debut film. It seems, Ray came across this Novel 'Pather Panchali' by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and became obsessed by making it into a movie. He had to face a lot of hardships but was somehow able to fulfill his dream. And what a debut it is. Each character and each scene is so real that this is not just realist cinema but reality itself.
I always wonder how Ray got those performances out of children. No one seems to be acting or performing and yet it is so entertaining. Apu with a cardboard crown trying to copy that character from the play he watches, Durga trying to comprehend a telegraph pole, a stray dog following Durga and Apu as they follow the sweat vendor are scenes that make you wonder how did Ray got these so perfect. And he uses elements of nature to accentuate each of his scenes so well that each scene is complete in itself.
I won't say the obvious like "it's a masterpiece" or "it's a classic" or "it's brilliant" because everyone has started using these terms for almost anything these days. All I will say is that it is one of the most beautiful movies that I have ever seen.
First one from the Apu trilogy, this was also Satyajit Ray's debut film. It seems, Ray came across this Novel 'Pather Panchali' by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay and became obsessed by making it into a movie. He had to face a lot of hardships but was somehow able to fulfill his dream. And what a debut it is. Each character and each scene is so real that this is not just realist cinema but reality itself.
I always wonder how Ray got those performances out of children. No one seems to be acting or performing and yet it is so entertaining. Apu with a cardboard crown trying to copy that character from the play he watches, Durga trying to comprehend a telegraph pole, a stray dog following Durga and Apu as they follow the sweat vendor are scenes that make you wonder how did Ray got these so perfect. And he uses elements of nature to accentuate each of his scenes so well that each scene is complete in itself.
I won't say the obvious like "it's a masterpiece" or "it's a classic" or "it's brilliant" because everyone has started using these terms for almost anything these days. All I will say is that it is one of the most beautiful movies that I have ever seen.