Do I have to see them in order?
Maybe it's a stupid question... but, is it crucial to watch the trilogy in order? Does it matter significantly if I start with the “world of apu” for example?
Thanks.
No. I saw Apur Sansar first (before I realized it was a trilogy) and later saw all three in order. In my opinion Apur Sansar is the only one worth watching anyway.
shareGasp! Sacrilege! :-)
No you don't have to see them in order, they do stand alone, but like a lot of these loose trilogies, I do believe the effect is enhanced if you do watch them in order. This way allows you to chart the development of Apu from boy to man; sharing in his triumphs and tragedies -- his hopes, dreams and fears with each new one adding a layer of poignancy to Apu’s story simply because we know where he came from. Non more so than at the end of Apur Sansar where Ray neatly completes the trilogy by adding a nod and a wink to his first film as Apu (and Ray) comes full circle so to speak.
You can also chart the subtle change in Ray’s directing style from the first film firmly rooted in the Italian neo realist style of his heroes: De Sica and Rossellini, (making Panther Panchali more Bicycle Thieves than Bollywood) to the more subtle lyricism of Apur Sansar.
Individually they are all good films, (particularly the first and the third), but it's as a series you really get an appreciation of how great they are, as well as an appreciation of Ray’s mastery at direction.
"In my opinion Apur Sansar is the only one worth watching anyway"
Wow!!! Hold your expert comments to yourself. What a respectful language for a great master's work. I wish he was born in some European country or in USA. In that way he might have got more respect from his country men. "Song of the little road" is a classic movie and is referred to as one of the greatest movies of all time (not only in India, but also throughout the world).
I would like to know which other movie that you have seen you think is better than "Song of the Little Road"? There are some but not many and I doubt you have seen them. Because if you would have seen them you could never have discarded "Song of the Little Road" as "not worth watching". Your comments sounds like a regular Bollywood movie-goer passing comments on Satyajit Ray.
Excuse me, that is my opinion which I am entitled to express. Are you the thought police telling people what the correct opinion is? There's no need for insults.
I did say I liked Apur Sansar, didn't I? I may have an Indian name but I am an American born and bred and have no patience for most Bollywood movies. I like independent cinema and foreign films.
Wrong again...Apur Sansar in not a Bollywood movie. You have a great misconception about Indian cinema. You should either learn more (a lot more) about it or stop keep on talking just like that.
Furthermore, not only good Indian movies, many good movies need patience. One example is 2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick, another is Rashomon by Akira Kurosawa.
Clearly you did not read my original message. I was responding to your assertion that I must only watch Bollywood movies. I am well aware that Apur Sansar is not a Bollywood movie.
share"I wish he was born in some European country or in USA. In that way he might have got more respect from his country men." Whoa, watch it. Among bengalis, Satyajit Ray and Tagore are heroes and sometimes gods. We wouldn't really appreciate having them taken away from us, nor do we not respect them. Many Bengalis have plenty of respect for the more artsy films and the arts in general. :)
In addition, people are entitled to opinions. "Pather Panchali" and "Apur Sansar" have somewhat different styles, and some people like one more than the other. Get over it, and don't attack someone with opinions different from your own and make wild assumptions on their character and upbringing [for example, assuming that he/she watches bollywood films].
I'm a Bengali myself and what I have said is truely out of grief when I see lack of respect for Ray from Indian genes. While speaking publicly, people should be more socially responsible to choose proper words to describe their feelings. Anything like "Pather Panchali is not worth-watching" is bound to create a wild rage in someone's mind who has a sense of movie and respect for Ray.
"some people like one more than the other"---what you say is perfectly fine and reasonable but "Pather Panchali is not worth-watching" is insulting to a great director. I might not like Einstein but I cannot say that he was an a******. On the other hand you can not say Hitler was a great person in an one-liner because socially, that'll hurt a lot of people. Please try to understand my point and don't ignore it to jump to conclusion and defend people, who make stray, irresponsible comments.
World of Apu is such a great movie. More people should see it not less.
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