Aparajito (India, 1956)

Second of the Ray’s Apu trilogy. Fascinating look into a ‘coming of age’ life in ’50s India. Un/surprisingly not so different in the conflicts as a western life now. Superbly done. (DVD) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048956/

Pather Panchali (India, 1955)

Rightly regarded as a classic, directed by Satyajit Ray. Whilst the content is a realist ‘slice of village life’ the visual style mixes observation with telling rhetoric (such as focusing on the water covering the stolen bracelet). The cinematography is great as are the performances. It’s the first part of the ‘Apu’ trilogy, though this [...]