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Scorsese's Kolkata Film Secret: A Childhood Revelation
2 Jul
Summary
- Martin Scorsese found 'The River' profoundly impactful as a child.
- The film, shot in Kolkata, sparked his interest in Hindu culture.
- Scorsese lauded the film's humanity and visual beauty.
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese recently shared insights into the significant influence of Jean Renoir's 1951 film 'The River,' shot along the Hooghly in Kolkata, on his formative years. Scorsese described the movie, which featured Bengali actor Suprova Mukherjee, as a pivotal cinematic experience from his childhood. The film's exploration of Indian culture, particularly its depiction of Hindu rituals and beliefs, ignited Scorsese's curiosity about Hinduism.
Despite acknowledging the film might portray Indian culture through a Western lens, Scorsese emphasized its powerful portrayal of humanity and its ability to transcend exotic aesthetics. He particularly cited the film's vibrant use of color and its exploration of spiritual themes, drawing parallels to its potential influence on Satyajit Ray's cinematic use of color. Scorsese called 'The River' one of the two most beautiful color films ever created.
