I had promised a list of my favourite Bengali movies too. And though I've seen a limited number of them, I'm pretty sure I've been made to watch all the significant ones. Obviously my picks from among those few films, will make for a comparatively shorter post (yes, you can relax).
Here's a quick round up :) The first five are the ones I love best.
1. Baksho Badal
A stiff psychiatrist, a fickle-minded girl and a mistaken exchange of baggage creates the plot for this fun romantic comedy. Starring Soumitra Chatterjee and Aparna Sen. Screenplay and music by Satyajit Ray.
2. Sonar Kella
One of the best adventure stories from the Feluda series. Of course, by Satyajit Ray.
3. Kanchenjunga
A family holidaying in Darjeeling discovers a sense of freedom from the authoritarian ways of the patriarch, amidst the liberating Himalayan ranges. The story shifts between several characters each on their own individual track, dealing with their personal issues, which are resolved by the end. It's one of my favourites and the master's strokes show.
5. Seema Boddho
A look at competition and corruption in the corporate world. Again, by Satyajit Ray.
6. Charulata
The lonely housewife, based on a novel by Rabindranath Tagore. This subject has been dealt with so many times in films but when it comes to treatment none of them come close to Charulata. The movie on the whole is sheer visual poetry. Screenplay and direction by Satyajit Ray.
8. Nayak
A filmstar and a journalist meet on the train. Through conversation, the journalist (Sharmila Tagore) is able to uncover the inner world of the star (Uttam Kumar) complete with all of his fears, insecurities, transgressions, guilt and what not. She discovers he is in reality a very lonely person. Her initial disdain for him transforms into pity and sympathy and she chucks the idea of writing a feature about him. Written, directed and music composed by Satyajit Ray.
9. Teen Kanya- Samapti
The original Uphaar. And I like this one better.
11. Utsab
A family congregates at their ancestral home for Durga Pooja. The movie moves between the lives of the several characters each caught in their own web of personal problems. There's a property dispute too. But by the end of the Pujas, issues are reconciled. Straightforward really. But still a good watch.
12. Abohoman
A director is drawn towards a young actress who was groomed for her role by his wife- who used to be his muse at one time. It creates upheaval in his family life. But, is he really attracted to the young woman or the muse itself?
13. Goynar Baksho
14. Mr. And Mrs. Iyer
A powerful story involving communal riots and human bonding. Starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Rahul Bose, directed by Aparna Sen.
15. Hirer Angti
Rituparno Ghosh's first movie. The movie is full of intrigue- an unknown visitor, a long forgotten secret, claim to property etc. etc.
*Sigh* And that's all folks! It is at last, a wrap!
You may also like to see Dadar Kirtti, Ghare Baire, Baksho Rohoshsho, Bombaierr Bombetey, the last two Ray presentations. And may be Golpo Holeo Shotti, the bong version of Bawarchi. Don't know which was made first.
ReplyDeleteBarring Bombaier Bombetey, I've seen all of them. They're nice, but not really my favourites. U've made me watch all of these :-p
ReplyDeleteYour list is similar to a list I would have :) An impressive list of which I've liked most. Anuranan was a little boring. Remakes of some of these films in Hindi and other languages have also been successful. Shubho Mahurat saw two fantastic Bengali actresses who were well known in Hindi films, pitted against each other, this time in their mother tongue. Rakhee played the role of Miss Marple and Sharmila was aptly made to play a beautiful yesteryear actress, a role essayed by Elizabeth Taylor in this remake of an Agatha Christie story, The Mirror Cracked. Baksho Bodol... one of the best simple and funny. Kanchenjunga made me want to visit Darjeeling... the black and white era was so much more effective in expression - Satyajit Ray conveyed external beauty as well as internal feelings of the characters very successfully. Thanks for this compilation.. have to see them again :))
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