Satyajit Rays The Apu Trilogy: Pather Panchali Encore

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Satyajit Ray’s The Apu Trilogy. Presented in conjunction with community partner Voices Breaking Boundaries.

Satyajit Ray (1921-1992) established an international reputation with this trilogy about growing up in India. Considered a landmark in 20th century cinema, the films follow the life of Apu from childhood to maturity.

Ray’s close observations of one Bengali family are presented with an authenticity and attention to the details of daily life that has a universal appeal.

The films feature a modernist approach, depicting the evolution of male consciousness by observing how Apu matures in a changing world.  Each film features music by the legendary Ravi Shankhar. It is a transcendent experience to view this trilogy in new 4K digital restorations.

Because of weather-related issues in late May that affected the original schedule for this trilogy, the first film—Pather Panchali—screens again on July 17.

Pather Panchali
Directed by Satyajit Ray
1955, in Bengali with English subtitles
India, B/W
115 minutes, DCP

Ray’s feature film debut was based on a best-selling 1930s novel about a family in West Bengal, focusing on the precocious little boy, Apu.

He learns his place in the world from a young age, watching his family struggle with poverty and illness.

Ray said he aspired to reflect the novel’s strengths: humanism, lyricism, and the ring of truth. Pather Panchali ranks alongside other renowned films about childhood such as The 400 Blows, Shoeshine, and Spirit of the Beehive.