A study of Asian tradition in Satyajit Ray's The World of Apu. Issue 2 (1st September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Or, Victor
• Is Part Of: Asian cinema. Volume 8:Issue 2(1996)
• Page Start: 76
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2018-09-01
• Subjects: Motion pictures -- East Asia -- Periodicals; Motion pictures -- Southeast Asia -- Periodicals; Motion pictures -- Periodicals; Asians in motion pictures -- Periodicals; 791.43095
• DOI: 10.1386/ac.8.2.76_1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1059-440X

Abstract

Poverty, exploitation and suffering are the major themes of many Indian films. By reflecting the immediate reality of the country, contemporary Indian filmmakers, notably Mira Nair, make manifest the needs of the poor and encourage their audiences to thin of possible solutions. While in this regard the filmmakers' efforts may be to little avail, their films are striking portrayals of the tenacity of the human spirit for survival. The World of Apu is mild in its criticism of the social system that has created the dilemma – the issues of poverty and physical suffering are more a background. Instead, the film is a study of Asian ethics and spiritual fulfillment.