A Masterpiece Acknowledged by a Master
Renowned filmmaker Christopher Nolan, currently basking in the global success of his IMAX epic The Odyssey, recently visited the Criterion Collection's storage room in New York. During the visit, Nolan selected several films that have influenced his work, including Satyajit Ray's iconic Apu Trilogy. In a video posted on X by Criterion, Nolan is seen browsing shelves for nearly five minutes, pulling out titles and reflecting on their significance.
Of Ray's trilogy, Nolan remarked, "And then there's the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, one of the greatest Indian filmmakers. The trilogy starts with Pather Panchali, which is an absolutely incredible film. It just blew my mind. I haven't yet seen parts two and three of the trilogy, so I'm pretty excited to get this and complete the story."
The Apu Trilogy: A Landmark in Cinema
The Apu Trilogy consists of three films: Pather Panchali (1955), Aparajito (1956), and Apur Sansar (1959). Based on Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay's novels, the series chronicles the journey of Apu from a impoverished childhood in rural Bengal to adulthood. The trilogy is widely regarded as a cornerstone of Indian cinema and has influenced filmmakers worldwide.
Nolan's selection also included a collection of Martin Scorsese's short films, which he described as exciting, and Fritz Lang's The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, which he noted as a reference for shaping the Joker in The Dark Knight. "Scorsese shorts, I'm going to have to grab that. I've seen The Big Shave, but I haven't seen the other ones, so that's pretty exciting," Nolan said.
Nolan's Connection to India
This visit comes during Nolan's third trip to India, part of the promotional tour for The Odyssey. He previously filmed portions of Tenet in India in 2019 and shot sequences for The Dark Knight Rises at Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort in 2011. Nolan's appreciation for Indian cinema aligns with his broader interest in diverse storytelling traditions.
The filmmaker's admiration for Ray's work is significant, as it highlights the global reach of Indian cinema. Ray, a Bengali filmmaker, is celebrated for his humanistic storytelling and technical mastery. The Apu Trilogy has been restored by Criterion and is considered essential viewing for cinephiles.
