This is the second of three films dubbed by fans as 'The Apu Trilogy', three stories that make up the life of Apu as he goes from childhood to adulthood. I have yet to see the third, but the first two films are very depressing, as horrid things happen to his family. Sadly, they are not unrealistic as child mortality and short life spans were particularly the case in impoverished India back in the day. And, because the films are so often depressing, you might want to think twice before watching them if you are suffering from depression yourself.
In "Pather Panchali", Apu seems like a very ordinary boy growing up poor in rural India. Here in "Aparajito" he's moved to the big city and is growing and gaining the attention of others because they see lots of promise in this bright boy. However, there are many setbacks such as his father's death as well as Apu struggling with what to do with his life, as he has an opportunity to go away and have an excellent education...but it would mean leaving his widowed mother alone.
Like the first film, this is an example of the so-called 'Parallel Cinema" (also called 'New Indian Cinema'). In many ways, it's much like Italian Neo-Realist films as it features ordinary people (not established actors) playing very normal characters. Often in Indian films, the protagonists are rich and beautiful and privileged, but in a Parallel Cinema picture, it gives a view of the ordinary folks who make up the vast majority in the country.
I was not a big fan of the first film. To me, it was depressing but seemed to have little direction and was very slow. Yes, I know it's considered among the greatest Indian films ever made....but for some reason it just didn't work for me. This second picture, in contrast, is a bit easier to watch...probably because there's at least some indication that things will improve eventually. Also, Apu's mother seems less angry and depressed...making the film just a tad lighter and easier to watch. Overall, while I didn't love "Aparajito", I did find it interesting and worth seeing. But, like the previous film, so much hype surrounds it you can't help but feel a tad disappointed....a common thing, actually.
In "Pather Panchali", Apu seems like a very ordinary boy growing up poor in rural India. Here in "Aparajito" he's moved to the big city and is growing and gaining the attention of others because they see lots of promise in this bright boy. However, there are many setbacks such as his father's death as well as Apu struggling with what to do with his life, as he has an opportunity to go away and have an excellent education...but it would mean leaving his widowed mother alone.
Like the first film, this is an example of the so-called 'Parallel Cinema" (also called 'New Indian Cinema'). In many ways, it's much like Italian Neo-Realist films as it features ordinary people (not established actors) playing very normal characters. Often in Indian films, the protagonists are rich and beautiful and privileged, but in a Parallel Cinema picture, it gives a view of the ordinary folks who make up the vast majority in the country.
I was not a big fan of the first film. To me, it was depressing but seemed to have little direction and was very slow. Yes, I know it's considered among the greatest Indian films ever made....but for some reason it just didn't work for me. This second picture, in contrast, is a bit easier to watch...probably because there's at least some indication that things will improve eventually. Also, Apu's mother seems less angry and depressed...making the film just a tad lighter and easier to watch. Overall, while I didn't love "Aparajito", I did find it interesting and worth seeing. But, like the previous film, so much hype surrounds it you can't help but feel a tad disappointed....a common thing, actually.