Hommage to Satyajit Ray

The films of the Bengali director, composer, and author Satyajit Ray (1921–1992) are among the fixed stars of international cinema. Ray's extremely diverse oeuvre comprises more than 30 works and many genres, ranging from the neorealist Apu Trilogy and precisely observed contemporary dramas to historical adaptations, Kammerspielfilms and documentaries.

His work has accompanied Arsenal since its first events in 1963. Recently, arsenal distribution has added six of Ray’s films, now digitally restored, to its program, including major works such as CHARULATA (The Lonely Wife, India 1964) and MAHANAGAR (The Big City, 1963). On the occasion of this significant expansion of our distribution range, we present a program that pays homage to Ray and comprises contemporary and restored 35 mm prints as well as the distribution DCPs.

Akira Kurosawa once said: "Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon." This program is an invitation to explore Ray's cosmos, to (re)encounter the visual and acoustic magic of his films, as well as their humanist power. (Gary Vanisian)

With thanks to Vinzenz Hediger (Goethe University Frankfurt) and Björn Schmitt (DFF - Deutsches Filminstitut & Filmmuseum).