During World War II, the price of rice rose to unattainable levels in Bengal thus causing a famine that killed millions in 1943. This fictional film focuses on how the famine affected a small village as seen through the eyes of a privileged Brahmin couple who have recently moved there.
I felt bored during the first twenty minutes of this film wondering where it was going. Once the story-line picked up, I was truly mesmerized.
Of the hundreds of movies I've seen, this must be the first one I've seen whose main subject is famine and starvation. With various stories within the broader one, it was shocking to see what some people did in desperate circumstances thus causing the audience to question what we might do if the same thing were happening to us. Such situations include the poor asking those better off for more and more charity while the more privileged are concerned about lack if their supplies run dry. The compassion and subtlety of the directing (by Satyajit Ray) and the acting leaves the audience able to see both sides.
While beautiful sunshine vistas juxtapose the tragedy of the people in their midst, "Distant Thunder" builds and builds to a conclusion that is heart-wrenching and stays that way well until after the final credits are complete.
RATING: 9 out of 10
Outstanding Achievement: Directing by Satyajit Ray
I felt bored during the first twenty minutes of this film wondering where it was going. Once the story-line picked up, I was truly mesmerized.
Of the hundreds of movies I've seen, this must be the first one I've seen whose main subject is famine and starvation. With various stories within the broader one, it was shocking to see what some people did in desperate circumstances thus causing the audience to question what we might do if the same thing were happening to us. Such situations include the poor asking those better off for more and more charity while the more privileged are concerned about lack if their supplies run dry. The compassion and subtlety of the directing (by Satyajit Ray) and the acting leaves the audience able to see both sides.
While beautiful sunshine vistas juxtapose the tragedy of the people in their midst, "Distant Thunder" builds and builds to a conclusion that is heart-wrenching and stays that way well until after the final credits are complete.
RATING: 9 out of 10
Outstanding Achievement: Directing by Satyajit Ray