Bollywood Legends Grace Cannes for Ray Masterpiece
Cannes, France – Bollywood icons Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal joined acclaimed filmmaker Wes Anderson at the Cannes Film Festival for a special screening of Satyajit Ray’s classic film, ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’ (Days and Nights in the Forest).
The 4K restored version of the 1970 Bengali film was showcased under the Cannes Classics section, marking a celebration of Ray’s cinematic brilliance.
A Masterpiece Restored
Wes Anderson, a long-time admirer of Ray, led the six-year-long restoration effort for ‘Aranyer Din Ratri’. The film is presented and restored by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at L’Immagine Ritrovata in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), Janus Films, and the Criterion Collection. The Golden Globe Foundation provided funding for the restoration.
Red Carpet Glamour
Sharmila Tagore made a stunning appearance on the red carpet in a traditional green saree, accompanied by her daughter, jewellery designer Saba Ali Khan, who opted for a vibrant yellow ethnic ensemble. Simi Garewal exuded elegance in a white gown by Indian couture label Karleo.
Anderson’s Praise for Ray
As quoted by Variety, Wes Anderson expressed his admiration for Ray, stating, ‘Anything signed by Satyajit Ray must be cherished and preserved; but the nearly-forgotten ‘Days and Nights in the Forest’ is a special/particular gem. Made in 1970. Modern and novelistic. Ray worked in terrain perhaps more familiar to Cassavetes. A clash/negotiation between castes and sexes. Urbans and rurals. Selfish men and their hopes and cruelties and spectacular lack of wisdom. Women who see through them. The great Soumitra Chatterjee: lost but searching. The great Sharmila Tagore: mysterious, cerebral, mesmerizing. From the master, another masterpiece.”
A Tale of Self-Discovery
‘Aranyer Din Ratri’, based on the novel of the same name by author Sunil Gangopadhyay, delves into themes of alienation, class, and modernity. The film follows four city-bred men who escape to the forests of Palamau (now in Jharkhand) for a holiday, only to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Sharmila Tagore plays Aparna, a sophisticated city woman, while Simi Garewal portrays Duli, a tribal Santhal girl.
The film also features prominent actors like Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee, Samit Bhanja, Robi Ghosh, and Aparna Sen.
