Shown: January 8, 2010 at 6pm
Director : Jean Renoir
Country : France/India/USA
Release Date : 1951
Duration : 99 mins
Language : Bengali and English
Subtitles : Yes
In West Bengal, both Harriet, the daughter of a jute mill owner, and her best friend, Valerie, become captivated by dashing visitor Captain John, who ignores them for sultry Melanie. However, all find that their lives are shaken up after Harriet’s brother is involved in a tragedy. The future Indian film maker Satyajit Ray, then working in advertising, met Renoir while The River was in production and the two men became friends.
“Renoir’s location work in India and his semi-documentary excursions look great, juxtaposed as they are with his bold fantasy sequences evoking India’s spiritual life.” (Peter Bradshaw – The Guardian)