Pather Panchali

Vittorio De Sica's neorealist masterpiece Ladri di biciclette (Bicycle Thieves) made a deep impression on Satyajit Ray from Calcutta. So much so that he decided to become a filmmaker, staying true to the style of his Italian role model. In 1955, he made his debut with Pather Panchali, a film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, one of India's leading authors. This critically acclaimed film was made on a modest budget, with non-professional actors in the lead roles. It was the first part of Ray's classic Apu trilogy, three social realist films about the Bengali boy Apu growing up.

Bengal, early 20th century: on his meagre income, rural priest Harihar Roy finds it hard to support his wife Sarbajaya, his children Durga and Apu, and live-in cousin Indir. One day, he decides to leave for the city in the hope of finding a better job there. He promises to return soon, but nothing comes of it, with dire consequences for those left behind.