Film Screening: Pather Panchali
When Pather Panchali, director Satyajit Ray’s debut film, was released in 1955, an eloquent and important new cinematic voice made itself heard all over the world. A depiction of rural Bengali life in a style inspired by Italian neorealism, this naturalistic but poetic evocation of a number of years in the life of a family introduces us to both little Apu and, just as essentially, the women who will help shape him: his independent older sister, Durga; his harried mother, Sarbajaya, who, with her husband away, must hold the family together; and his kindly and mischievous elderly “auntie,” Indir—vivid, multifaceted characters all. With resplendent photography informed by its young protagonist’s perpetual sense of discovery, Pather Panchali, which won an award for Best Human Document at Cannes, is an immersive cinematic experience and a film of elemental power.
Run time 125 minutes; India; Bengali with English subtitles
This film is part of the 44th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF44). Indian Cultural Association of Minnesota (ICAM), India Association of Minnesota (IAM), Khazana Arts & Textiles, and Mia are partnering with The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul/MSP Film, presenter of the annual Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF), during the 2025 film festival. MSPIFF is the largest and longest-running film festival in our region and annually presents more than 250 new international and independent films to a broad community of movie lovers. The film festival will screen several Indian films over the course of the 12-day festival, running April 2–13, 2025.
The full MSPIFF44 lineup and schedule are now available.
ICAM, IAM, and Mia members receive discounted tickets to Indian films screening at MSPIFF. Use promo code: MIAMSPIFF44.