Un trueno lejano

During World War II, the price of rice rose to unattainable levels in Bengal thus causing a famine that killed millions in 1943. This fictional film focuses on how the famine affected a small village as seen through the eyes of a privileged Brahmin couple who have recently moved there.

I felt bored during the first twenty minutes of this film wondering where it was going. Once the story-line picked up, I was truly mesmerized.

Of the hundreds of movies I've seen, this must be the first one I've seen whose main subject is famine and starvation. With various stories within the broader one, it was shocking to see what some people did in desperate circumstances thus causing the audience to question what we might do if the same thing were happening to us. Such situations include the poor asking those better off for more and more charity while the more privileged are concerned about lack if their supplies run dry. The compassion and subtlety of the directing (by Satyajit Ray) and the acting leaves the audience able to see both sides.

While beautiful sunshine vistas juxtapose the tragedy of the people in their midst, "Distant Thunder" builds and builds to a conclusion that is heart-wrenching and stays that way well until after the final credits are complete.

RATING: 9 out of 10

Outstanding Achievement: Directing by Satyajit Ray

DISTANT THUNDER is a very hard to find film (at least it was for me), so, if you see at your local library or film rental, don't pass up the chance to see it. It tells the story of the famine of 1943, in India, where a young Brahmin doctor (Soumitra Chatterji) and his beautiful wife (Babita) must search for rice, as the price continues to climb. The doctor is humbled by the experience and is forever changed (for the better) through experiencing, firsthand, what it feels like to be hungry. This is a beautiful masterpiece by the incomparable Satyajit Ray. If you haven't seen his films already, this is a great introduction. I also highly recommend THE APU TRILOGY, TWO DAUGHTERS, DEVI and THE STRANGER.

My favourite thing of this movie of was beautiful Bobita. Soumitra Chatterjee, who appeared in half of Ray's films, did awesome job here. If I am not wrong, this is the first proper colour film made by Ray. The topic here is a little bit sensitive, so fanatics might be angry if I share my honest opinion. Even though this has a unique narrative than others, and it carries the most universal themes of all his movies, I always thought the subject was kind of opportunistic. This decision of mine might be influenced by the best of Mrinal Sen, 'Akaler Sandhane', which itself is based on making a "famine film". Actually, just hit my mind, these two movies can be watched back to back for a reason.

The legendary Ray tackles what is known as The Great Bengal Famine in 1943 when India was still under the British Raj. Food was becoming scarcer as the price skyrocketed far beyond what was affordable and in the end, there just wasn't any left. With the attempt to help England during WWI, Churchill used the help of India and exported the majority of food that was so badly needed by the local Indians. As someone had stated, he also forbade other countries from offering any aid to India. The starvation resulted in more than 5,000 000 deaths.

'Ashani Sanket' takes place in a poor rural Bengali village where most people are illiterate and even unaware of the war going on in the other side of the world. In a beautiful scene Ananga and her friend Chutki are fascinated by the flying jets which hardly means anything more to them than a distant thunder. They aren't even aware that those jets are flying to war. Gangacharan and Ananga are the newer inhabitants of the village and are of a 'sophisticated' Brahmin class. The villagers look up to them.

However, as hunger strikes an become more severe, it gradually strips the villagers off their humanity (the fight over the rice) and integrity (Chutki offering herself in exchange of rice) but at the same time it also brings a more positive change in Gangacharan and Ananga. Gangacharan, who was arrogant and pompous, learns that he had lived his affluent life at the cost of the villagers. He becomes aware of the sacrifices others have made for him and that in this tragic ordeal there are no inequalities. Class does not matter for everyone is suffering equally. Consequently, he offers to give the the 'untouchable girl' a proper death ritual. The always compassionate Ananga grows from the naive housewife to a stronger woman.

Ray's treatment is simple and this makes the portrayed village life look very authentic. At the same time he brings depth and there is plenty of detail and metaphor like the two butterflies that intrigue Ananga. Ray has always been known to be one of the greatest storytellers and 'Ashani Sanket' is no different. He gradually unfolds the story as he reveals how powerless hunger can cause humans to become and yet how these people fight to survive. On the technical front, background music is effectively minimalized and the cinematography is stupendous.

Soumitra Chatterjee is marvelous. Obviously, there's a reason why Ray has repeatedly cast him in so many of his films. Thanks to Ray for discovering Babita's talent because this is one of the very very few movies in which she is given a role that does full justice to her acting abilities. Sandhya Roy too delivers a noteworthy performance as Chutki.

'Ashani Sanket' is an astounding film that I found to be very enlightening. Many have claimed for it not to be their favourite Ray film but to me it's a remarkable film, another gem from the legend.

Ashani Sanket / Distant Blunder (1973) : Brief Review -

A Stunning Cult Classic on heart-wrenching topic of Bengal Famine. One of Satyajit Ray's best work ever and you know what that means. When i say, it is one of the best work of Satyajit Ray ever then you must realise the high standard I'm taking about. I don't even need to explain anything after that one statement and if you are well known about Satyjit Ray's work then i don't think you can resist yourself from watching this Cult film ASAP. Ashani Sanket is based on true events and believe me those events are horrendous. As food shortages reach catastrophic proportions, Gangacharan attempts to preserve his privileged situation, while his generous wife, Ananga, conversely tries to help and support the community. Alongside, the film also focuses of castism as the protagonist realises that a natural disaster like Hunger don't see Caste before hitting you. All humans are equal, we have to stay equal to live equal and suffer equally. Some scenes in the film are truly mind-shattering and abominable. You have to have strong heart and emotions to see it and understand the actual pain behind and then i guess you'll never ever forget this film in your Life. Bangladeshi Actress Bobita looks drop-dead gorgeous as bengali housewife. She looks so good that i would have had crush on her if i were a teenager in 70s. Performance wise too she looks great whereas in her husband's role Legend Soumitra Chatterjee shows his upper class yet again. Director Satyajit Ray bring cent-percent conviction in his storytelling with utterly realistic presentation and does not compromise with the hard-hitting content. In a nutshell, Ashani Sanket is a Cult Classic moviemaking on tragic tale from the Indian History which is atrocious and ferocious but needs to seen.

RATING - 8.5/10*

By - #samthebestest.