Satyajit Ray's 'Aranyer Din Ratri' to be screened at Cannes
The upcoming edition of Cannes Film Festival will witness a screening of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's 'Aranyer Din Ratri' (Days and Nights in the Forest), which featured Sharmila Tagore and Soumitra Chatterjee.
The Film Heritage Foundation announced that a restored 4K version of the 1970 film Aranyer Din Ratri will be screened at the Cannes 2025 Film Festival. The film had Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore, and Rabi Ghosh in key roles.
Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of Film Heritage Foundation in a press note said, "Working on the restoration of Satyajit Ray's 'Aranyer Din Ratri' has been an incredibly moving experience."
"Seeing the film's beauty and artistry revitalised after 56 years- from its haunting score and the captivating chemistry of its cast, to the unforgettable grace of Sharmila Tagore and Ray's sensitive portrayal of the Santhal tribals - has been a true privilege," he added.
The premiere of 'Aranyer Din Ratri' in Cannes will be presented by a distinguished cohort of film luminaries, including filmmaker and Board Member of The Film Foundation Wes Anderson, film's lead actress Sharmila Tagore, Simi Garewal, producer Purnima Dutta, executive director of The Film Foundation Margaret Bodde, director of Film Heritage Foundation Shivendra Singh Dungarpur and Peter Becker and Fumiko Takagi of The Criterion Collection / Janus Films.
Wes Anderson stated, "Anything signed by Satyajit Ray must be cherished and preserved; but the nearly-forgotten Days and Nights in the Forest is a special/particular gem... made in 1970. Modern and novelistic. Ray worked in terrain perhaps more familiar to Cassavetes."
"A clash / negotiation between castes and sexes. Urbans and rurals. Selfish men and their hopes and cruelties and spectacular lack of wisdom. Women who see through them. The great Soumitra Chatterjee: lost but searching. The great Sharmila Tagore: mysterious, cerebral, mesmerising. From the master, another masterpiece," he added.
Excited to attend the gala, Sharmila Tagore said, "It's wonderful that Manik Da's 'Aranyer Din Ratri' has been restored and will have its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival this year. This is a very special moment for me and I am so happy that I will be in Cannes to present the film at the premiere."
"I remember I was shooting for 'Aradhana' when Manik Da approached me to shoot for this film for a month at a stretch. It was incredibly hot during the shoot and we could only shoot in the mornings and late afternoons. I have wonderful memories of the time spent with my co-actors and Manik Da's precision, especially in the way he shot the memory game sequence, was incredible."
"I can't wait to watch the restored film. Aranyer Din Ratri is such a contemporary film that I know it will resonate with new audiences across the world even today. I would like to thank the Film Heritage Foundation for their amazing contribution in restoring this film," she added.
Cannes 2025 will be held from 13 to 24 May.