Rabindranath Tagore
FLORENCE– Florence-Lauderdale Public Library will host a film series called “Celebration of the Human Race.” This set of 3 internationally acclaimed movies–based on the works of Rabindranath Tagore–will be screened on June 19, June 26, and July 10, at 7:30 pm. This film series is sponsored by the library, the Shoals India and South Asian Association, and the Shoals Interfaith Council.
Rabindranath Tagore, the first non-European to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, is a bright sun in the Indian literary horizon and most of his novels, novellas and short stories have found their cinematic interpretation in close to 100 films in different languages globally. Two of the three movies to be included in this series are directed Satyajit Ray, who won an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement. When combining the narrative of a Nobel Prize winner in Literature with the talents of an internationally acclaimed movie director, the results are a fascinating explosion of human feelings and dignity.
GHARE BHAIRE
GHARE BHAIRE (Home and the World), a 1984 classic is the Cannes Film Festival Golden Palm Nominee film directed by Satyajit Ray, will be screened on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 7:30 pm. The movie is based on women’s empowerment. It also portrays the impact of the Divide-and-Rule Policy of the British (an artificial rift between Hindus and Muslims) on the intellectuals of the Indian society. It is also a vivid depiction of the clash of values when the modernism of the West impinges on ancient Eastern ways in India.
TEEN KANYA
TEEN KANYA (Three Daughters)–directed by Satyajit Ray in 1961 and is based on three of Tagore’s stories (The Post Master, Monihara, and Samapti)–will be screened on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 7:30 pm. The movie tells the story of a young village girl taught by a city-bred postmaster, a woman’s obsession with her jewels, and a tomboyish girl who changes after marriage.
KABULIWALA
KABULIWALA, directed by Hemen Gupta in 1961, was critically acclaimed and was a commercial success. This movie will be screened on Thursday, July 10, 2014 at 7:30 pm. The movie is the tender story of a widower Afghan businessman who was compelled to leave his daughter in Afghanistan and relocate to India. He misses his daughter and showers his affection on a young girl in this emotional, memorable film that tugs at the heart of audiences.
Dr. Santanu Borah
Dr. Santanu Borah, is a Professor of Management & Marketing at the University of North Alabama. Dr. Borah initiated the celebration of Global Cultures at UNA. He is also the President of the Shoals India and South Asian Association. Each screening will be introduced by Dr. Borah. Dr. Borah will also lead a brief discussion on the movies after each screening.
