The Chess Players (Shatranj Ke Khilari)
MIA Exhibition Series – presented by DFI
Satyajit Ray / Feature Narrative / India / 1977 / Colour
In Hindi, Urdu / Arabic, English subtitles
Interests: Comedy, Drama, History
N/A
Rated: Parental guidance is advised for viewers under the age of 13. Individuals under the age of 13 are not admitted into cinemas unless accompanied by an individual aged 18 or older.
Screenings
Synopsis
In 1856, in Lucknow, the capital of the Muslim kingdom of Oudh, King Wajid Ali Shah prefers to devote himself to the pleasure of art rather than submit to the subterfuge of politics. Meanwhile, the English Company of India is strengthening its grip on the country and, in 1858, the British Crown takes control of the government in the name of Queen Victoria and the British Empire. In parallel, a pair of aristocrats indulge their passion for chess while neglecting everything around them– and without taking heed of the historic changes occurring under their noses.
About the Director
Satyajit Ray was a Bengali film director, writer and illustrator who brought Indian cinema to world recognition with 'Pather Panchali’ (‘The Song of the Road’, 1955) and its two sequels, known as the Apu Trilogy. As a director, Ray was noted for his humanism, versatility and control over his films’ details and music. He is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the 20th century.
Credits
- Director
- Satyajit Ray
- Screenwriter
- Munshi Premchand
- Producer
- Suresh Jindal
- Cinematographer
- Soumendu Roy
- Cast
- Sir Richard Attenborough, Sanjeev Kuma, Shabana Azmi, Amjad Khan, Saeed Jaffrey, Farida Jalal