Cinematographer Devan Scott continues his journey through the history of lighting in cinema. This week, he credits Satyajit Ray’s director of photography Subrata Mitra for profound innovations that laid the foundation for ideas of motivated lighting that dominated the latter half of the twentieth century. Devan’s workshop (approx 50 min) will be followed by a screening of The Music Room (1958), for many critics Ray’s finest film.
About the film: The Music Room (99 min)
Satyajit Ray brilliantly evokes the crumbling opulence of the world of a fallen aristocrat (the beloved actor Chhabi Biswas) desperately clinging to a fading way of life. His greatest joy is the music room in which he has hosted lavish concerts over the years — now a shadow of its former vivid self. An incandescent depiction of the clash between tradition and modernity, and a showcase for some of India’s most popular musicians of the day, The Music Room is a defining work by the great Bengali filmmaker.
It is the kind of cinema that flows with the serenity and nobility of a big river.
Akira Kurosawa on Satyajit Ray.
Ray’s most evocative film… he fills it with observant details.
Roger Ebert
Devan Scott
Satyajit Ray
Chhabi Biswas
India
1958
In Bengali with English subtitles
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Thursday May 21
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Credits
Producer
Satyajit Ray
Screenwriter
Satyajit Ray
Cinematography
Subrata Mitra
Editor
Dulal Dutta
Original Music
Ulstad Vilayat Khan
Art Director
Bansi Chandragupta
Also in This Series
Film Studies: Motivated Lighting examines the evolution of lighting in cinema, from the early 1900s to present day.
The Doll
In our new Film Studies series on Thursdays, Devan Scott guides us through the evolution of lighting techniques from the silent era to the present day. Each presentation will include a classic film screening; this week, The Doll (1919).
The Grapes of Wrath
In this Film Studies workshop, Devan Scott explores the purposes of three-point lighting and the influence of German Expressionism on Hollywood studio filmmaking. Followed by a screening of The Grapes of Wrath, photographed by Gregg Toland.
The Music Room
Devan Scott continues his journey through the history of lighting. This week, he credits Indian director of photography Subrata Mitra for profound innovations that laid the foundation for ideas of motivated lighting + screening of The Music Room.
Black Bag
In the last of his studies in the evolution of cinematography, Devan Scott surveys the modern era of digital photography and LED lighting, focusing in particular on the radical work of Steven Soderbergh, who regularly serves as his own cinematographer.