If you’re like me, and seek out films, that make you want to look closely and love being taken in by their beauty, you’ve come to the right place. The Indian cinema has been blessed with many such amazing Art films. In this blog, we travel back in time (1970s) to some timeless masterpieces, that is a must watch for every Art film lover!
Aparajito (The Unvanquished)
Written and directed by Satyajit Ray, the film indicates India’s processes of modernization and industrialization and their inevitable impact on both individual and culture. The film talks about the core concept that, individuals can rise to the occasion and might not be compromised by the corruption that characterizes the society at large. But, the real beauty is in the way the story is told through cinema. Music and expressive natural sounds complete the stimulation of the senses in this strange, sad, evocative film. It is a really beautiful, haunting film — from it’s warmest to it’s most tragic elements. It’ll keep you thinking for quite a while after watching, and is an absolute must watch.
Koshish
The movie depicts a deaf and mute couple and their conflicts, pain and struggle to carve out a niche for themselves in a desensitized society. The movie is a lesson on how to live life, examining the lives of Hari and Aarthi , who are deaf and mute. They meet, fall in love, marry and have a child. Tragedy strikes their lives as well when they lose their first child. But they never give up hope on life and not in one instance during the entire movie do they think about ending it. They live life, fight for it and succeed at a bigger scale than any normal person. Both the characters are played with impressive simplicity and ease, bringing out the courage and agony of the two handicapped but strong willed persons. This is a beautiful movie that would leave a lasting impression on the audience’s mind, and is definitely a must watch.
Manthan (The Churning)
Manthan is an extraordinarily powerful and intense depiction of social change. Set against the backdrop of Operation Flood, it tells a real tale of the desire to reform the past and how difficult a task it is to bring change to a simple village under the spell of centuries of belief systems that rob the individual’s chance of ever rising out of poverty and the control of a few. It has a strong artistical and emotional impact on the viewer, with fine performances, minimal dialogue and soothing music. It’s complex underlying segments are beautifully portrayed, without preachiness or ideological heavy-handedness. It’s a very inspiring film and is an absolute must-watch.
Honorable mentions
Above movies are just the tip of the iceberg for Indian art films, here are some honorable mentions that deserve their own spot :
- Elippathayam (Rat Trap)
- Pather Panchali (Song of the Little road)
- Aakrosh
