Daak Weekly: Movies to Watch This Summer/Monsoon - Part I

Summer/Monsoon is a time for retreat from the punishing heat or rain, at least in most regions of South Asia. If you find yourself looking for indoor activities, we have two stunning movie recommendations for you.

The first is Shatranj Ke Khiladi based on Munshi Premchand's famous story of the same name. Set in 1856 Lucknow, Satyajit Ray's 1977 film film elegantly captures a society steeped in cultural and artistic grandeur, highlighted by Ray’s subtle humour. It revolves around two noblemen, chess-obsessed friends insulated in their privilege, oblivious to the political turmoil under Nawab Wajid Ali Shah’s reign. Ray masterfully transforms Premchand’s subtleties into visual splendour, from the lingering scent of attar to Birju Maharaj’s choreographed dances and meticulously crafted costumes. In two hours, the film delves into numerous themes, using animation, graphics, and dialogues interwoven with poetry, to paint Lucknow as a cultural hub amidst significant changes.

The second movie will take you from the pages of history to the paranormal. In Mani Kaul’s 1973 adaptation of Vijaydan Detha’s story "Duvidha" (Dilemma), nothing is as it seems. The film opens with a newlywed couple on their way home, where the wife's craving for a fruit sets the stage for a powerful narrative about a woman's choices in a patriarchal society. Her beauty attracts a lustful ghost who takes advantage of her husband's absence and takes on his form to fulfil marital duties. Using a unique, dispassionate narrative style, stoic characters, and artistic cinematography, with lingering silences, ambient sounds, and visual focus on the woman's features, the film highlights her main dilemma—having to choose between her own decisions and a life dictated by societal norms.

Enjoy the movies and tell us what you think of them!

With Love,

Team Daak

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