MovieChat Forums > Pather Panchali (1955) Discussion > any more films like these from India?

any more films like these from India?

posted 17 years ago by TermlnatriX
7 replies | jump to latest

Let me just first state that I've seen my share of Hindi films growing up in eastern europe (quite popular on tv, even now) so I'm not oblivious to that cinemaland. I just saw this right now and I have to say, I was amazed. This film resonated with me in the childhood department. It feels like we're world's apart, India and Ukraine (my home country) but as far as parenting goes, it was not exact, but SIMILAR. As for childhood, It doesn't change much here. (lol, I had to sweep the yard too - this was when we lived in a village) It's amazing how this film could touch me in these ways!

Now to my initial question. What can one recommend I check out if I'm looking for something similar, an arthouse type of drama like this ? (I know about the Apu trilogy, and I'm going to finish it, but other than this trilogy) what else is there to find that's popular in India? Preferably a classic, but it doesn't really matter.

Thanks

[–] rimijhimi 16 years ago

Hi, you can try Ray's other movies like "Charulata" or "Shakha Proshakha" (The family tree) or "Mohanogor" (Metropolitan).
Google Ray or rent from an Indian store. Many of these movies are available in subtitled Dvds.

Aparna Sen's "Paromitar Ek Din" (Paromita's day) and/or "Paroma" are quite enjoyable too.

Hope you will enjoy the films.

[–] mb9113 16 years ago

I am a great SATYAJIT RAY fan, and any of his films, if available, are worth seeking out. Keep in mind his "type" of films appeal more to viewers OUTSIDE of India, since most Indian films are entertainment-oriented, such as the "Bollywood" comedy-action musicals, which to Westerners, are an acquired taste.

More recently, I saw the Indian film SALAAM BOMBAY, which some decades later since the APU trilogy, explored childhood life in modern urban India, in a harsher less forgiving way than anything in the Apu trilogy.

[–] bernie-81 16 years ago

Dont miss Ray's 'The Chess Players' about two Lucknow aristocrats with the annexation of Oudh in 1856 as the background.

The scenes of the Nawab in his court reciting Persian poetry are most touching.

[–] ash_champforever 16 years ago

I would like to recommend some Raj Kapoor movies (though being Ukranian, you might have heard of these movies considering the huge star Raj Kapoor was back then in that part of the world) -

Shree 420
Awaara
Jagte Raho
Mera Naam Joker

And some Guru Dutt films -
Pyaasa
Kaagaz Ke Phool

Since you like Satyajit Ray, I would request you to check these films out as well. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

[–] Forlorn_Rage 11 years ago

Don't forget Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam! Guru Dutt's masterpiece and much better, in my opinion, than Pyaasa or Kaagaz Ke Phool.

[–] thehungryphilosopher 15 years ago

yeah..you can try ritwik ghatak's "bari theke paliye","subarnarekha","meghe dhaka tara" and satyajit ray's "nayak"

[–] Forlorn_Rage 11 years ago

I realize this is 6 years later, but feel the need to clear up some things.

While "Pather Panchali" is Indian, as it was made in India, it is not "Hindi." India has many different regions, each with its own language, and even its own film industry.

The language in "Pather Panchali" Bengali; Bengali filmmaking is worlds apart from Hindi/Bollywood filmmaking. Although Bengali filmmakers tend to make their films in multiple languages and it gets kind of tricky as to how to label them, the Bengali style is definitely distinguishable from the (often) more white-washed, glossy Hindi/Bollywood films.

Here are some great Bengali filmmakers, I encourage you to check out:
-Bimal Roy (ex: Devdas, Sujata, Parineeta, Madhumati, etc.)
-Rituparno Ghosh (who does mostly Bengali lang. films- ex: Chokher Bali)
-Aparna Sen (ex:Mr. and Mrs. Iyer)