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Together with the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council (MIAAC) Film Festival, we’re delighted to offer this tribute to one of Indian cinema’s brightest stars, Smita Patil. Born in 1955, she entered the cinema through her work in several audacious, influential films by Shyam Benegal. Soon, an emerging generation of independent, ambitious Indian filmmakers—Ketan Mehta, G. Aravindan, Mrinal Sen, Kumar Shahani, Saeed Mirza—adopted Smita as their muse. She also worked in several “Bollywood” productions, appearing with the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, and Shashi Kapoor, but her heart was always with the New Wave. Intelligent, beautiful and engaged with a wide array of social issues, Smita embodied a new and hopeful spirit in Indian cinema. Her tragic death in 1986 robbed the cinema of a great, great actress as well as an icon of courage and progress. In addition to this film series, there will also be an exhibit in the Furman Gallery on Smita organized by her sister, Manya.
Co-presented with the Mahindra Indo-American Arts Council Film Festival. For more information about MIAAC 2010 (November 10-14, 2010), please visit MIAAC Film Festival. Supported by Manya Patil Seth and the Smita Patil Foundation. Program notes by Somi Roy. |
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Chidambaram
G. Aravindan, India, 1985; 103m
When a farm superintendent's dalliance with a laborer's wife (Patil) leads to tragedy, he guiltily turns to drink and then spirituality (at the titular temple). Read more...
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Sun Nov 14: 3
Wed Nov 17: 3:45
Thu Nov 18: 8:45
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The Churning / Manthan
Shyam Benegal, India, 1976; 134m
Patil plays an Untouchable peasant girl whose village's traditions (and middlemen) are challenged by a young veterinary surgeon who arrives to start a dairy co-op. Read more...
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Thu Nov 11: 3:40
Tue Nov 16: 6:15
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Deliverance / Sadgati
Satyajit Ray, India, 1981; 52m
In Ray's stark, moving rarity, a weakened Untouchable laborer dies on the job, forcing the landowner to deal with the consequences.
SCREENING WITH
Sharp Note / Teevra Madhyam
Arun Khopkar, India, 1974; 21m
Patil's screen debut, as a classical music-lover who marries a Marxist.
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Sat Nov 13: 5:15
Thu Nov 18: 1:30
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A Folk Tale / Bhavni Bhavai
Ketan Mehta, 1980, India; 135m
Mehta's assured debut about a group of traveling Untouchables who tell a story powerfully blends folk idioms and actual footage of India's freedom movement. Read more...
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Fri Nov 12: 1
Sat Nov 13: 9:15
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Ghungroo
Ram Sethi, 1983, India; 163m
Patil goes Bollywood musical: the king's commander has a secret courtesan lover (Patil) who may jeopardize his access to the royal inner circle. Read more...
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Fri Nov 12: 3:40
Sun Nov 14: 12
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In Search of Famine
Mrinal Sen, India, 1980; 115m
Sen's masterpiece: a filmmaking crew re-creating the 1943 Bengal famine in a distant village faces unexpected complications in the form of real-life survivors. Read more...
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Fri Nov 12: 6:40
Tue Nov 16: 2
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The Meaning / Arth
Mahesh Bhatt, India, 1982; 138m
Two of Indian cinema's greatest actresses in a blistering melodrama: Shabana Azmi plays insecure Pooja, who loses her husband to a glamorous actress (Patil). Read more...
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Thu Nov 11: 1
Fri Nov 12: 9
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The Role (Bhumika)
Shyam Benegal, 1977, India; 140m
In one of her best-loved performances, Patil stars (and re-creates celebrated roles) in a masterpiece based on the memoirs of Marathi actress Hansa Wadkar. Read more...
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Thu Nov 11: 7
Wed Nov 17: 1
Thu Nov 18: 6
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Spices / Mirch Masala
Ketan Mehta, 1986, India; 98m
In this stirring, socially alert drama, a visiting soldier brutally sets his sights on a married woman (a captivating Patil). With Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, and Deepti Naval. Read more...
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Sat Nov 13: 7
Tue Nov 16: 4:15
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The Threshold / Umbartha
Jabbar Patel, India, 1982; 151m
Caught between her family and undeserved scandal, social worker Savitri (Pital) fights the limits thrust upon her by a patriarchal if outwardly progressive society. Read more...
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Tue Nov 16: 8:50
Thu Nov 18: 3:10
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