If one wants to list brilliant first features, one needs look no further than acclaimed Bengali auteur Rituparno Ghosh’s Hirer Angti. Though not as readily available or as widely known as some of his more famous films, Hirer Angti is nonetheless clearly indicative of the filmmaker’s immense storytelling abilities, and forms a fine introduction to his later and more intellectually demanding works. The name sounds simplistic, and rightly so, as this was based on a popular children’s story by Samaresh Majumdar; but this wonderfully constructed tale of the arrival of a mysterious young man, who speaks chaste Bengali, at the huge house of a Bengali family during the auspicious and joyous occasion of Durga Puja, has the ability to provide an exhilarating and a thoroughly engrossing experience to children and adults alike. The film comprises of tidbits, observations and elements that are sure to make culturally conscious viewers nostalgic, and speaks volumes of Ghosh’s tremendous cultural knowledge. And the subtle infusions of wit and humour in the script, fine performances by every member of the cast, and the impressive soundtrack, all add up to make this a must watch for anyone willing to explore the oeuvre of one of the most talented filmmakers working in India today.
Director: Rituparno Ghosh
Genre: Comedy/Mystery/Children's Film
Language: Bengali
Country: India
No comments:
Post a Comment