Days and Nights in the Forest [Aranyer Din Ratri] **** (1970) – Classic Movie Review 9342

Days and Nights in the Forest [Aranyer Din Ratri] (1970) is one of Satyajit Ray’s most delicate and subtle films, following the fortunes of four educated male friends from Calcutta on holiday staying at an old bungalow in the country. They interact with villagers, a wealthy family and various women.

Ray’s observant camera closes in tight on the characters’ lives in this Chekovian study in relationships. Ray’s screenplay takes sharp swipes at British imperialism, elitism and snobbery, but he shows his real mastery in the beautifully drawn mood and finely etched character studies.

The delicious picnic sequence recalls the work of Jean Renoir (Picnic on the Grass [Le déjeuner sur l’herbe] (1959), whom Ray once assisted.

It stars Soumitra Chatterjee as Asim, Sharmila Tagore as Aparna, Subhendu Chatterjeea as Sanjoy, Rabi Ghosh as Shekhar, Samit Bhanja as Hari, Kaberi Bose as Jaya and Simi Garewal as Duli.

Days and Nights in the Forest [Aranyer Din Ratri] is directed by Satyajit Ray, runs 115 minutes, is made by Priya Films, is distributed by Pathé Contemporary Films (1973) (US), is written by Satyajit Ray, is shot in black and white by Soumendu Roy and is scored by Satyajit Ray.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9342

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