Speaking Of Films

Description

India’s greatest film-maker on the art and craft of films. Exactly fifty years ago, in 1955, the release of Pather Panchali heralded the arrival of a master in the world of cinema. Over the next forty years, Satyajit Ray came to be regarded as one of the world’s finest film-makers ever. Today, more than a decade after his death, he continues to be India’s most respected name in international film circles. Apart from his achievements as a director, Ray was also a prolific writer of novels, short stories, and essays on cinema. Speaking of Films brings together some of Ray’s most memorable writings on film and film-making. With the masterly precision and clarity that characterize his films, Ray discusses a wide array of subjects: the structure and language of cinema with special reference to his adaptations of Tagore and Bibhuti Bhushan Bandopadhyay, the appropriate use of background music and dialogue in films, the relationship between a film-maker and a film critic, and important developments in cinema like the advent of sound and color. He also writes about his own experiences, the challenges of working with rank amateurs, and the innovations called for when making a film in the face of technological, financial and logistical constraints. In the process, Ray provides fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpses of the people who worked with him—the intricacies of getting Chhabi Biswas, who had no ear for music, to play a patron of classical music in Jalsaghar; the incredible memory of the seventy-five-year-old Chunibala Devi, Indir Thakrun of Pather Panchali, and her remarkable attention to details. This first-ever translation of Bishay Chalachitra, a seminal collection of essays on cinema, Speaking of Films retains the lucidity and simplicity that is a hallmark of Ray’s writing, and gives an invaluable insight into the mind of a genius. Review: A wonderful, accessible collection on the art of film making - This is a wonderful collection of articles by Satyajit Ray on film making, translated from Bengali by Gopa Majumdar. The articles cover the history and evolution of cinema across the world. There is a marked focus on the language and art of film making. It is replete with examples - with some great insights into Mr Ray's own movies. The book is easily readable and does not require any prior knowledge of the classics (although I'm sure it helps). For an amateur like myself, this book opened up many new ways of looking at a movie. As one other reviewer points out, the risk with this book is that you will start seeing blemishes in movies that you didn't notice earlier. Hopefully, one will also appreciate the artistic elements more completely. A note on the translation and collection itself. I don't know Bengali and can't comment on the accuracy of the English version. However, the tone is superb and gives the feeling of sitting through a Masterclass on film making. There is one negative in my mind - 10-20% of the articles read like anecdotes and seem to have little connection with the overall narrative. But that is nitpicking. The book remains a fantastic read for film enthusiasts. Review: Lines and explanations - If you want know about film making definitely worth reading atleast a good line will set you on mode