Cannes Film Festival 2022: Satyajit Ray’s 1970 film Pratidwandi to be screened
Mumbai: Indian director Satyajit Ray’s 1970 film Pratidwandi (The Adversary) is selected to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. The festival will be held between May 17 and May 28, 2022.
According to Union Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra, the National Film Archives restored the film that will be screened under the Classics Section.
“Pratiwandi has been restored fully, like several other films in possession of the National Film Archives. It will be screened at the Cannes this year as a tribute to the genius,” Chandra said.
Based on a story by Bengali author Sunil Gangopadhyay, Pratidwandi showcases the story of an educated middle-class man who is in the turmoil of social unrest. The film won three Indian National awards, including the National Film Award for Best Direction in 1971.
The film is known for experimenting with techniques like photo-negative flashbacks and is the first of the Calcutta Trilogy. The other two films include Seemabaddha (Limited Company, 1971) and Jana Aranya (The Middleman, 1975). The trilogy portrays turbulent times in Calcutta during the post-modern age.
Purnima Pictures owner, the banner that produced Pratidwandi, Arijit Dutta, “The news could not have come at a better time, Ray’s 101st birthday and all the film festivities taking place in the city. The Cannes Film Festival authorities have given a perfect tribute to the flag bearer of Indian films.”
(Avya Mathur)
