Christopher Nolan calls Satyajit Ray 'Greatest Filmmaker'; says ‘Pather Panchali’ blew his mind
Christopher Nolan has made his choice from one of cinema’s most celebrated collections, and it led him straight to Satyajit Ray.
During his visit to the Criterion Closet, the filmmaker picked up The Apu Trilogy and spoke about the impact of 'Pather Panchali', the 1955 Bengali classic that marked the beginning of Ray’s acclaimed trilogy. Nolan called the film “absolutely incredible” and said it had “blew my mind.”
The Criterion Closet, operated by the Criterion Collection, features a vast selection of acclaimed films from across the world. The space has become a popular stop for filmmakers and actors, who often select titles that have influenced their understanding of cinema.
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In a video shared by the Criterion Collection on Instagram, Nolan browsed through the shelves before choosing The Apu Trilogy. While discussing Satyajit Ray, he called him “one of the greatest Indian filmmakers” and spoke about his plans to watch the remaining two films in the trilogy.
“And then there's the Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, one of the greatest Indian filmmakers. The trilogy starts with 'Pather Panchali', which is an absolutely incredible film. It just blew my mind,” Nolan said. He added that he was yet to watch the second and third films and was looking forward to completing Apu’s story.
Released in 1955, 'Pather Panchali' follows young Apu and his family as they navigate poverty and everyday life in rural Bengal. The film, based on Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay’s novel, became a landmark of Indian cinema and introduced Ray’s work to audiences across the world.
The story of Apu continues in ‘Aparajito’, released in 1956, and ‘Apur Sansar’, released in 1959. Together, the three films trace Apu’s journey from childhood to adulthood.
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Nolan’s appreciation for Indian cinema also comes alongside his own connection with the country. He previously filmed portions of ‘Tenet’ in India and shot scenes for 'The Dark Knight Rises' at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort. He has also visited India in connection with his latest film, ‘The Odyssey’.