I think I might have one of my panic attacks today, due to the terrifying fact that I will be doing another one of those horrid presentation in class.  I know...the teacher must be on crack to ask us for a presentation for the third day of class. 

The presentation is on a film  of our choosing and we have to go up there and ramble on about it.  I love films, always have.  Before I became bookworm at around the age of 13/14, it would be fair to say I was a film buff.  I think I ate, slept and drank movies.  In retrospect, I used to swallow the bad, worse and horrid with the few beautiful ones that has been forever embedded in my mind.  Out of those few movies is one gem called "Pather Panchali" and thats the one I chose for my presentation.

I remember watching "Pather Panchali" when I was about 7 or 9? I forget, but I know I only saw it only once before yesterday and despite that I had remembered a few key scenes that was engraved in memory.

The film is in bengali, directed by Satyajit Ray was his debut venture actually.  Its part of a trilogy (the two following this first part: Aparajiti - The Unvanquished and Apu'r Sansar -The world of Apu also made into movies by Ray) penned by famous bengali author Bibhutibhushon Banerjee, which I have yet to read.

If any of you want to be touched in a place so deep within your heart that you had been unaware of its existence, I'd say go rent this movie.  

The beauty of the movie I'd say is its simplicity, and how Ray captures each mundane trivialities with such detail and attention that you can feel, smell and almost taste them in your tongue.  I made the mistake of putting some rice on the stove before starting the movie, and I didn't even realize that my wonderful dad had thrown away the pot I spoiled and  put on a new pot.  At the end of the movie my dad only said, "don't ever put anything on the stove when you watch one of Ray's work."  My mom didn't bicker much over it thankfully, guess she was too sick hehe.

Coming back to the movie...its just captivating from start to finish, it takes you through tumultuous storm before the "all calm sea" before and after.

Little Durga                                  Durga and Indir (aged aunt)

The trilogy is a bildungsroman, a coming of age story in other words, about a boy named Apu.  In this movie we see the arrival of Apu in an impoverished family consisting of parents, an older sister, Durga and an aged aunt who lives with them. 

(Top: Mom, and Durga getting Apu ready b4 school)

All of the characters are so beloved to me, and not too often do I watch a character on celluloid and want switch places, even if for a few moments.  From the first moment little Durga steps in front of the camera, I have wanted to become her.  I have never wanted a younger brother because,and everyone who knows me will vouch for this, I was a total brat!  I was selfish and jealous and didn't want to share the affection of my parents.  An older sister was enough competition as it is, but when I see this movie I sincerely wish I had a little brother.  The bonding between the brother and sister is so beautiful, it's beyond me to describe.  *Sniffles*

 Durga and Apu discover         Durga and Apu in the field of  

 a train: Oh imcomprehending   Kash flowers.

 wonder! (Sketch by Ray)

Apu

Oh well!  Now I wish I had an Apu alright, (but Shurid if you are seeing this....hehe you know who I will pick as my pretend Apu!  Next time we'll play Durga and Apu instead of doctor doctor, okee?)

By the way, Satyajit Ray recieved an oscar on his deathbed along with numerous awards for this movie.

There are so many wonderful stories involving this one movie that took five years to make, because of the lack of financial back up.  Ray sold all his wife's jewels and shot the movie every sunday with a cast consisting of mostly friends in an old village he knew.  First worldwide premiere in MOMA in 1954 and officialy released in 55 I think....

Ok, enough tidbits!  If you want to read more about it, here's the link: http://www.satyajitray.org/index.shtml

Anyway.....wish me luck for the presentation, I know I'll do a lousy job at presenting this.  Maybe I should have picked something lighter, I don't think I could do justice to this masterpiece :(