"…Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon." -- Akira Kurosawa.

Also featured in this series is the Los Angeles Premiere of director Priyanka Kumar's superb new documentary on Ray, THE SONG OF THE LITTLE ROAD (2003). The documentary features interviews with Martin Scorsese, musician Ravi Shankar, head of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Film Archive Mike Pogorzelski, and others - plus clips from Ray's movies. Priyanka Kumar will appear in person for a discussion following the screening.

Considered one of the foremost filmmakers of the 20th century, Indian director Satyajit Ray (1921 - 1992) established himself as a major force with his widely celebrated Apu Trilogy. He is known for his humanistic approach to storytelling. He made his films in Bengali, a language spoken in West Bengal, the eastern state of India, and Bangladesh.

Ray directly controlled many aspects of filmmaking. He wrote all the screenplays of his films, many of which were based on his own stories. He designed the sets and costumes, operated the camera since Charulata (1964), he composed the music for all his films since 1962 and designed the publicity posters for his new releases. In addition to filmmaking, Ray was a composer, a writer and a graphic designer. He even designed a new typeface

Satyajit was given an honorary Academy Award in 1992 for Lifetime Achievement. Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa said, "...Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon."

Considered one of the foremost filmmakers of the 20^th century, Indian director Satyajit Ray (1921 – 1992) established himself as a major force with his widely celebrated Apu Trilogy: PATHER PANCHALI (1955), APARAJITO (1957) and APU SANSAR (1959). Please join us for a screening of the Trilogy, plus the L.A. Premiere of director Priyanka Kumar’s superb new documentary on Ray, THE SONG OF THE LITTLE ROAD, which features interviews with Martin Scorsese, musician Ravi Shankar, head of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Film Archive Mike Pogorzelski and others, plus clips from Ray’s movies.

Friday, January 2 – 7:30 PM

Double Feature – Los Angeles Premiere: THE SONG OF THE LITTLE ROAD, 2003, 68 min. Dir. Priyanka Kumar. Drawing from interviews with a diverse group of Satyajit Ray’s colleagues and supporters including Ravi Shankar, Martin Scorsese and others, Kumar’s documentary is a quiet, subtle meditation on the life and art of one of the world’s greatest filmmakers. Crafted through a dreamy series of still shots of interviewees and moving clips from Ray’s films, THE SONG OF THE LITTLE ROAD is a testament to the significant contributions Ray made in his lifetime – as well as the perseverance of dedicated film archivists and Ray admirers who have helped save his works from near disintegration. Includes interviews with Ismail Merchant, Mike Pogorzelski -- Head of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences – Film Archive, and more. Editor of the film, Geraud Brisson will introduce the film tonight.

PATHER PANCHALI, 1955, Sony Classics, 125 min. Dir. Satyajit Ray. Ray burst onto the international film scene with this first film, based upon Bibhutibhushan Bannerjee’s novel of the same name. As Part One of what would become the Apu Trilogy, PATHER PANCHALI depicts a poor Brahmin family struggling to survive in their small Bengali village. The birth of a new child, Apu, marks the beginning of new adventures - and struggles - for the family. Scenes of Apu and his sister exploring their surroundings are among the most beautiful and memorable moments ever captured on film. With music by Ravi Shankar. "One of the most stunning first films in movie history." - Jack Kroll, Newsweek.

Saturday, January 3 – 6:00 PM

Double Feature: APARAJITO (THE UNVANQUISHED), 1956, Sony Classics, 108 min. Dir. Satyajit Ray. Part Two in the Apu Trilogy, this film affirmed Ray’s stance as a master of cinema. Apu and his family are now living in a new village along the banks of the holy Ganges River. Faced with the loss of his father and the demands of fast-approaching adulthood, Apu goes on to study in Calcutta, leaving his mother behind. APARAJITO centers around Apu’s maturation and his changing relationship with his widowed mother.

THE SONG OF THE LITTLE ROAD, 2003, 68 min. Dir. Priyanka Kumar. [See above Jan. 2 for description.] Discussion following with documentary director Priyanka Kumar (schedule permitting).

Sunday, January 4 – 5:00 PM

Double Feature: APU SANSAR (THE WORLD OF APU), 1958, Sony Classics, 103 min. Dir. Satyajit Ray. As the Trilogy’s final installment, APU SANSAR depicts Apu’s challenges with adult life in the city. Living again in poverty, Apu is forced to sell his books and begins writing an autobiographical novel. Upon making an unexpected visit to a small village, Apu finds himself as the groom in an arranged marriage. Life with his new bride gives way to love - and a child - and ultimately proves to be both joyous and tragic.