Relieve the magic of these celluloid classics at Kolkata International Film Festival

Analog filmmaking isn’t a familiar term among Generation Z cinephiles. Visual image for them is as simple as video technology and mostly disseminated through the internet. Watching films on a smartphone is pretty cool these days. However, a film renaissance is on the horizon. Celluloid film, a format that almost vanished in the past decade, is gradually making a comeback of sorts. A small group of filmmakers and artists in India are trying to keep the format alive. And it seems celluloid may well return to Bengal’s big screen if the initiative from Kolkata International Film Festival succeeds. Several celluloid classics will be screened at the KIFF 2019 including Italian filmmaking legend Bernardo Bertolucci’s 7 cult classics. As of now, these 6 Indian celluloid films are most likely to be screened at two venues at KIFF but it all depends on the health of the films.

Directed by Basu Chatterjee this 1969 classic is an authentic view of a lower middle class Indian family set in the fifties. It’s about a young immature man's (with political ambition) turmoil when forced into arranged marriage. The generation gap between young and old, the jealousies of women in the family, the difference between the domesticated and the rebellious are well depicted. On one side it's a satire on how unprepared young minds are forced into marriage, on the other side how two strangers locked into matrimony slowly discover each other. An obscure movie with a lot of class!

Again directed by Basu Chatterjee, the 1974 film is a celluloid adaptation of the Hindi story Yahi Sach Hai by Mannu Bhandari. The story revolves around Deepa who loves Nisheeth while living in Calcutta but he breaks up with her without explaining anything to her. Heart-broken Deepa moves to Kanpur and comes in contact with Sanjay. In no time, love blossoms between the two. However when she visits Calcutta for a job interview, she meets Nisheeth again and the fire of her first love is rekindled in her heart. She starts feeling that her love for Sanjay was just an attempt to give solace to her broken heart and her first love is only the true love. But her dilemma continues whether she should opt for Sanjay or Nisheeth whose feelings can only be derived by her through his gestures, not expressed properly. However the ending scene of the movie brings a twist in the tale with the realisation coming upon Deepa that the heart of a woman (like her) is too weak to take tough decisions.

The legendary Uttpal Dutt essayed out the role of a westernized railway officer who discovers there is a life in offer beyond the bureaucracy he follows during his duck hunting trip to Gujarat. Suhasini Mulay was seen as a young tribal woman who helps Dutt to rediscover the simple joys of life. This 1969 Mrinal Sen classic’s other notable highlight was the exceptional cinematography by KK Mahajan which captured the wide open vistas superbly. Mrinal Sen won two the National Film Awards for Best Director and Best Film for ‘Bhuvan Shome’.

Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the 1973 classic sees some strong performances by Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri and the rest of the cast. It's about love, envy and understanding the dynamics of a relationship. The film is beautifully and minimally directed, with enchanting music. The movie moves at a very nice pace, and the chemistry between Bachchan and Bhaduri is excellent and compelling. This film was made around the time of their marriage, and it shows. They are adorable as a young couple in love who are torn apart by the vagaries of fame and success. Jaya Bhaduri's subtle but comprehensive performance in this film is wonderful.

The 1954 film ‘Aar Paar’ has all the style that Guru Dutt brought to every film he made. He plays with light and shadows like only he has done in Hindi cinema. ‘Aar Paar’ is considered an important film in Guru Dutt's career. Not only because it is technically right most of the time, like any of his films, but more because in Kaalu he creates one of the most realistic tramp-with-a-golden-heart characters seen in Hindi films. That character is seen in hundreds of Hindi films but hardly any is as real as Kaalu. The film has some great songs ever. 'Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar', 'Ye Lo Main Haari Piya' and 'Baabuji Dheere Chalna' are timeless.

Directed by Satyen Bose, this 1964 classic is a perfect example of great acting , great songs , perfect direction ..A master class of old Indian Cinema The two actors Sudhir Kumar and Shushil Kumar have performed as if they were born to play the role mind blowing music that brought out quite possibly Mohd. Rafi sa'ab's memorable classics like - "Chahoonga Mein Tujhe" , "Jaane Waalon Zara".