Much has been written about Indian director Satyajit Ray, who is considered one of the finest directors of all time. Not just Indian cinema, but cinema whole. Many later directors said Ray directly influenced them, including Francis Ford Coppola, Christopher Nolan, and Akira Kurosawa. I don’t think one can get a much higher compliment than that. Pather Panchali was Ray’s first movie of the Apu Trilogy, and also my first time watching one of his films. I believe the three films are standalone without requiring one to watch together or even in order. This film covers the childhood of Apu. Apu is born to a severely impoverished family in rural Bengal and must find hope under troubling circumstances. He lives with his parents, sister, and his great-aunt (I think?). His father is a priest unable to find work. His mother is a housewife trying to make do with a lack of food and a house falling apart. Apu and his sister, Durga, don’t grasp their circumstances and spend their days playing. In search of hope, Apu’s father goes off to the city to find income.

Believe it or not, but I did not know what language the film was in until halfway through the movie. I became curious and looked it up (Bengali). Sometimes, you don’t care what language an art is in if it gets you hooked. That’s the mark of a genius. Ray, who was inspired by Italian filmmakers before him, had an unique way of balancing realism with creativity in his vision. Cinematography, acting, and directing are natural. It brings the picture to life with sharp editing. I think modern Indian filmmakers can learn a lot from Ray. After watching a few hundred Indian movies throughout my life, I believe editing in Indian films is poorly done. With Ray’s first work here, I never wondered “Why is this here and not edited out?” Every scene in Pather had a reason for being there. I’m amazed that a director, who had never done a filming scene in his life before, did something this well. For most directors, their best works are later on. Before gaining experience and building upon their skills, most directors usually do their first few works poorly or in a way that is difficult to enjoy. Ray is a natural from day one. I had a hard time accepting the fact that this was his first film.

Would I recommend this? I don’t know if it’s for everyone. It’s far from a perfect movie, but I found the realism breathtaking. There is not much plot here. Some people might find the everyday life of a family living in severe poverty depressing and mundane. Subtlety often gets lost on people who are watching for an edge-of-seat thrilling experience. If you want an edge-of-seat experience, this is not it. However, if the human condition, search for hope in brutal conditions, and a story of love & dignity appeals to you, this is worth a worth.