WHY YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THE APU TRILOGY?

by Sophiya Mathew

Cinema offers a solace when the world around is in chaos, so in the beginning of the lockdown I had watched Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. This Kurosawa's epic topped the world's greatest influential films but only later did I come to know that the man behind this epic was himself inspired by the Indian director - Satyajit Ray. "Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon",said the Japanese icon of his friend and fellow directing legend. I felt the full force of this statement when I saw Ray’s debut work, Pather Panchali and the subsequent sequels making up The Apu Trilogy.The trilogy consists of three Bengali language films: Pather Panchali, Aparajito and The World of Apu (Apur Sansar).

The trilogy captures the life of a family in a Bengal village.It follows the protagonist, Apu in his life's journey and as the journey of his life unfolds, the viewers also travel with him, empathising in the smallest subtle change of emotions caused by unprecedented events in his life.

Pather Panchali tells the story of a struggling family, set on the countryside with sun-drenched wheat fields and village orchards.Apu's father who is a priest aims to go to city for a better life for himself and his family, while things take a tragic turn in the village.Ray, through his gentle touches makes each frame so sacred seeming and elegant. With much greater intensity, he captures 'Aparajito' which brilliantly narrates the story of a grown up Apu in Kolkata who comes in terms with his father's death.It continues to show the heart-breaking scenes of Apu's lonely mother in the village who is grieved on being away from Apu, who is now pursuing higher studies in the city of Kolkata.The innocence of the child, his transformation and the mother's plight is all shown with mesmerizing visuals and it is a perfect example of a film that conveys the complete essence, infact goes beyond it with the silence of the characters.

The last in the trilogy is Apur Sansar (The world of Apu) and is another touching masterpiece amplified by strong acting.We see our young Apu all grown up as a gentleman who is now called Apuba.Just as he begins to enjoy his beautiful life with his newly wed wife Aparna ,news of Aparna dying during childbirth devastates Apuba. Warning: Following this, there are certain scenes in the movie that will surely get imprinted in your heart for life.

In a nutshell, the complete trilogy is a pure cinematic experience breathing life in its characters flawlessly.

From here on, I will be calling Ray as Manik Da because that is what people call him fondly.(In Bengali 'Manik' means Jewel)

The trilogy is based on two Bengali classic novels by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay.Manik Da later wrote that he chose Pather Panchali for the qualities that made it a great book: its humanism,lyricism and its ring of truth.

In 1952 he self-funded, drowning all his savings in a film that no one would fund given that it had no stars, no songs and no action. The filming began with mostly amateur actors and crew including cinematographer Subrata Mitra who was operating a camera for the first time. Legend has it that on the first day of shooting, Manik Da had never directed a scene, his cameraman Subrata Mitra had never photographed one and none of his child actors had even been screentested for their roles.The film never had a complete screenplay. The cast took most of their cues from Ray's drawings and notes.Despite all these, the film not only won India's "National Film Award for Best Feature Film" in 1955; but, also, the "Best Human Document" award at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival, and several other awards and accolades.

Little did anyone knew then that Indian cinema's identity in international arena was set to change the day of Pather Panchali's release in 1955.

So still the big question persists which is, "How did Pather Panchali revolutionise Indian cinema?" or most importantly "Why is The Apu Trilogy a must-watch?"

In personal experience after lots of delaying and finally watching the film, Pather Panchali my first reaction was a kind of enchantment I had never felt before.The feeling created by the film's evocative visuals, full of emotions was life changing! Each and every aspect of the film, the cinematography by Subrata Mitra, the music composed by Ravi Shankar, the extraordinary work by the cast and the execution of a simple tale giving great humane touch in every frame by the legendary Manik Da created an impression so deep and powerful in me. It gave way to regret as I wondered why I did not watch this before.

Must know fact:

Shockingly, the original negative for the film was burned in a fire in 1993 and the damaged film was restored as the negative was rehydrated, repaired and scanned in 4K resolution.

Knowing this fact just intensified the feeling that this trilogy is a sweet gift from above.It is paradise to the eyes of the beholder.

The great film critic, Roger Egbert wrote about the trilogy that "The great, sad, gentle sweep of "The Apu Trilogy" remains in the mind of the moviegoer as a promise of what film can be. Standing above fashion, it creates a world so convincing that it becomes, for a time, another life we might have lived."

On watching the trilogy, you are sure to walk away with a keepsake for a lifetime!!!

After all, what life is it missing the sun or the moon?

by Sophiya Mathew