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India Today
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zamin to be screened in 4K at Venice Film Festival 2025
The 2025 Venice Film Festival will present a 4K restored version of Bimal Roy's 1953 classic, 'Do Bigha Zamin', marking its importance in global cinema. The screening coincides with Roy's 116th birth anniversary and is part of the Venice Classics section alongside other cinematic masterpieces.'Bimal Roy's children, Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, and Joy Bimal Roy, along with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, will present the film. The restoration is a collaboration between the Film Heritage Foundation, The Criterion Collection, and Janus Films,' noted the festival organisers. This collaboration aims to preserve the legacy of Roy's work for future lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar, who worked with Roy as an assistant director, praised the initiative. He said, "It's amazing that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is restored and will be shown in Venice. This film is historic as it changed the way films were made in India. After Chetan Anand's 'Neecha Nagar' which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, this was the second Indian film to win at the Cannes Film Festival and receive international recognition." The film, based on a poem by Rabindranath Tagore and scripted by Salil Choudhury, tells the story of a farmer's struggle with industrialisation. Gulzar highlighted, "The most important element is that all his based on literature." This literary foundation added depth and resonance to his cinematic Singh Dungarpur remarked on Bimal Roy's influence, saying, "In his films I was struck by the poetic visuals, the silences, the deep humanism and compassion... For me Do Bigha Zamin changed the face of Indian cinema." Dungarpur was introduced to Roy's work during his time with expressed excitement about collaborating on the restoration of other Roy classics, including 'Devdas', 'Madhumati', and 'Bandini'. The restoration showcases the enduring relevance of Roy's films, addressing themes like the urban-rural divide and issues surrounding migrant importance of the film extends to its production style. As Gulzar recalled, "People would say that Bimal-da was like a married print... He learnt not only filmmaking from him, but the art of patience and stamina." This dedication to craft was evident in his meticulous approach to family of Bimal Roy expressed their joy about the screening, stating it is a "dream come true for us". The event underlines the impact of 'Do Bigha Zamin' on Indian cinema and its enduring legacy, celebrating the timeless art of storytelling.- EndsYou May Also Like
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
Netflix's Sobering Apocalypse in the Tropics Depicts the Rise of Evangelical Christianity in Brazilian Politics
In the opening shot of Apocalypse in the Tropics, the camera pans across a cracked canvas on which a group of nude figures, all with blurred expressions, seek shelter inside the protective cocoon of a cracked white egg. This detail is part of the enigmatic triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, a painting that serves as a moral warning about the destructive power of unchecked desires. It's a fitting introduction to a documentary that examines the rise of Christian Nationalism in Brazil, which hits Netflix today after premiering at last year's Venice Film Festival. Directed, co-written, and narrated by Petra Costa, whose 2019 film The Edge of Democracy was nominated for an Academy Award, this eye-opening documentary is divided into chapters, each one recounting a seismic sociopolitical moment that gripped the nation. The cinematography blends the historical with the mythic and personal, combining archival footage and interviews with spiritual leaders and political officials. Among the most prominent are televangelist Silas Malafaia and Brazil's current and former presidents, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (known as Lula) and Jair Bolsonaro. 'Making this film was an epic journey. We filmed for four years, almost uninterruptedly, during one of the darkest and most difficult times in Brazil's history,' Costa tells TIME. Her team sifted through thousands of hours of archival footage, filed many freedom of information requests in Brazil and the U.S., gained access to a powerful televangelist and two presidents engaged in power struggles, and navigated COVID-19 wards, mass graves, and the homes of the poor. 'Our desire was to capture the pulse of Brazilian society from the streets to the congress, up to the presidential palace. In doing so, what came into focus through the material was the extraordinary grip religious leaders were holding on political power, and the threat religious fundamentalism is posing to the separation of church and state,' says Costa. Laying the groundwork for Christian nationalism Following the period of colonial rule and tradition, during the fourth Brazilian Republic, President Juscelino Kubitschek envisioned a new future for Brazil centered on democracy, not grounded in faith in God but in progress and equality. He encouraged a nationalistic spirit and the belief that the country would become a great world power. Kubitschek constructed the new federal capital, Brasilia, designed by Oscar Niemeyer and Lúcio Costa, and inaugurated it in April 1960. Brazilians considered the capital city, which replaced Rio de Janeiro, a symbol of the nation's future significance on the world stage. This vision did not fully come to fruition. In recent years, Brazil has become increasingly fragmented, amplified by a widespread subscription to hateful doctrines, culture wars, anti-intellectualism, disinformation on social media, apocalyptic messaging, doomsday conspiracy theories, and ethno-religious identity politics. Apocalypse in the Tropics depicts the Christian nationalists and fundamentalists who have risen to power in Brazil as beholden to a belief in divine retribution. Political and religious leaders such as Malafaia and Magno Malta embrace a vengeful Jesus willing to strike down non-believers and perceived enemies of God. Some of this stems from what the documentary positions as a misinterpretation of the often-cited and controversial Book of Revelation. Their goal is to establish a Christian nation and defend cultural conservatism. Costa's filmmaking firmly establishes the view that this group will pursue these objectives even at the cost of 'loving thy neighbor' and the interests of society at large. For centuries, Catholicism brought by Portuguese colonizers—serving as both a spiritual framework and a political tool—laid the groundwork for Christian nationalism to grow. 'While it provided rituals and beliefs that shaped Brazil's cultural identity, it was also used to legitimize the violent subjugation of Indigenous peoples and the enslavement of millions of Africans forcibly brought to the country,' Costa says. In the past 40 years, evangelism has surged from 5 percent to over 30 percent of Brazil's population. Though it once wielded great influence over people's lives, the Holy See's power has waned in recent times. Still, with the rise of populist and ultra-conservative politicians utilizing nationalistic rhetoric, theocracy is becoming a greater concern for secular societies. Costa sees the message of Apocalypse in the Tropics as having resonance far beyond Brazil. 'From Hungary to India, Italy to the United States, a whole generation of far-right leaders has emerged with strong ties to fundamentalist theologies. And as their movements grow, so does the power of the individual religious leaders at their forefront,' she says. During the 1960s, a vastly different movement emerged within Brazil's Catholic Church: Liberation Theology, rooted in values of social justice and defending the poor. During the Cold War, this was viewed as a threat to U.S. interests, and followers were branded as communists. In archival footage shown in the documentary, Henry Kissinger warns President Nixon that the Catholic Church is no longer an ally in Latin America. The administration worked with a lobbying group called 'The Family' to convert people there to evangelical Christianity. 'Our film uncovered previously unreported material revealing how American evangelical missionaries were sent to Brazil to counteract the influence of Liberation Theology. Since then, Brazil has developed its own version of evangelicalism,' Costa explains. The country's poor found a home in this Christian movement that preaches the prosperity gospel, believing that church sermons and donations will lead to wealth on Earth. As shown in Apocalypse in the Tropics, evangelical churches in Brazil are plentiful and accessible, often operating out of people's homes, as compared to Catholic churches. The loud, brazen demeanor adopted by many pastors inspires mass trances and a sense of divine supremacy. Wealth is a draw for the rich and poor alike, a capitalist paradise rooted in fervent belief and devotion. Religion, government, and power The ambitious Pentecostal pastor and televangelist Malafaia—considered a kingmaker, is among those religious leaders in Brazil who have amassed wealth and celebrity through their sermons. Over the years, he has expanded his influence into politics, building close ties with politicians and endorsing presidential candidates, including the ultra-right-wing Bolsonaro, whom he claims was chosen and anointed by God to lead. Malafaia's support helped him win the presidency in 2019. He went on to support Lula in 2022, though the relationship disintegrated due to vastly differing values. In the documentary, Costa interviews Malafaia, who sometimes veers off into angry rants, especially concerning the country's leftists. He talks about the power evangelical leaders hold in politics and how they can make or break political candidates.. One major reason the incumbent Bolsonaro lost the 2022 election was his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, widely agreed to be a failure stemming from indifference. He ignored scientific consensus and strategies to fight the pandemic in favor of herd immunity, fasting, promises, and prayers, while also spreading conspiracy theories. When asked about Brazil's high death toll (becoming the second-worst-affected country in the world), in the documentary Bolsonaro chillingly responds, 'So what? What am I to do? I'm Messiah but I don't do miracles. Why make people panic when everyone will die?' Since Bolsonaro is currently ineligible to run for president again until 2030, Christian nationalist leaders, who are closely aligned with the far-right, are seeking a successor in the 2026 general election. 'These leaders have not disappeared, and their caucus is one of the most powerful in Congress,' says Costa. 'To make matters worse, this is also happening at a time when the legislature has essentially robbed the executive branch of much of its power.' In Apocalypse in the Tropics, Congressman and President of the Evangelical Caucus Sóstenes Cavalcante says that the group has grown from 50 members in 2002 to 142 in the Senate. President Lula is dealing with a conservative legislative branch that challenges his leadership and an inability to pass significant reforms, such as increasing taxes on Brazil's wealthiest. 'Taxing Brazil's ultra-wealthy would affect only 50 families and generate an estimated $260 billion USD,' says Costa. A portrait of more than just Brazil Costa suggests that one way to understand the chaos of our current era is as 'the hangover from an information revolution.' Just as the printing press sparked upheaval in its time, social media is now causing widespread fallout. Today's algorithms are not 'designed to foster democratic debate, collective decision-making, or the careful building of consensus,' but are crafted for virality, outrage, conflict, and emotional extremes—amplifying divisive messages. 'This makes these spaces particularly fertile ground for religious fundamentalism and other forms of extremism,' Costa explains. In a scene from a 2018 election rally, Bolsonaro addresses the enraptured crowd, saying, 'If I get there [as president], if it's up to me, every citizen will have a gun at home, there won't be an inch of land for indigenous people and no slavery reparations,' while pretending to shoot at Workers' Party voters from the Brazilian state of Acre with a machine gun. During his presidency, Bolsonaro and his cabinet members repeatedly hinted at challenging the rule of law against opponents like Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who has investigated him several times for illegal disinformation. Another scene where tanks drive through the streets—echoing Brazil's past military coups—Bolsonaro uses the military for protection, supported by his followers whom he encouraged to launch insurrections against perceived injustice. This unrest reached a climax after his defeat in the 2022 general election, when Bolsonaristas stormed the Three Powers Square on Jan. 8, 2023, just days after Lula's inauguration. The ex-president denied his election loss in October, seeking shelter in Florida while stirring discontent among his radicalized supporters. This chilling event, mirroring the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, closes the documentary's final chapter. Trump is now threatening to impose 50 percent tariffs on Brazil if the Supreme Court doesn't drop charges against Bolsonaro for the attempted coup. While making Apocalypse in the Tropics, it became increasingly clear to Costa that she was not making a film only about Brazil. 'This portrait is not just a reflection of siloed far-right movements. What we are seeing is how fundamentalist movements in different countries are sharing ideas and practices, forming alliances and acquiring immense global impact,' she says. We are living in divided times, searching for answers amongst the chaos. Amid uncertainty and confusion, people turn to leaders who promise to guide them out of darkness. 'Faced with a population that feels it has lost control of its destiny, whether due to economic globalization, distance from the exercise of power or the force of emerging technologies, the answer offered by the mysticism of the divine is welcomed with fervor and relief at a time of profound earthly uncertainty,' Costa says.
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First Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Venice Film Festival to screen 4K restored version of Bimal Roy's 'Do Bigha Zamin'
The presentation in Venice will be led by members of the Bimal Roy family— daughters Rinki Roy Bhattacharya and Aparajita Roy Sinha, his son Joy Bimal Roy—as well as Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation read more The Venice Film Festival has officially announced that the newly restored 4K version of Bimal Roy's iconic masterpiece, 'Do Bigha Zamin' (1953), will receive its world premiere at the 2025 edition of the festival. The announcement coincides with the 116th birth anniversary of Bimal Roy, the visionary director who was at the forefront of the Golden Age of Indian Cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. The presentation in Venice will be led by members of the Bimal Roy family—his daughters Rinki Roy Bhattacharya and Aparajita Roy Sinha, his son Joy Bimal Roy—as well as Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This landmark restoration is the result of a collaborative effort between not-for-profit organisation Film Heritage Foundation, The Criterion Collection and Janus Films. 'Do Bigha Zamin', celebrated as the first Indian film to win the prestigious Prix International at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954, also received honors at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and secured both Best Film and Best Director Awards at the inaugural Filmfare Awards in India. Gulzar states, 'It's amazing that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is restored and will be shown in Venice. This film is historic as it changed the way films were made in India. After Chetan Anand's 'Neecha Nagar' which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, this was the second Indian film to win at the Cannes Film Festival and receive international recognition. The most important element is that all his films right from the Bengali ones which he made and the Hindi films which he made, all these films were based on literature. Not many people know that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, which was also called 'Do Bigha Zamin'. The script was done by Salil Choudhury. I started working with Bimal-da, who we used to call Dada, from the film 'Kabuliwala' when I was his chief assistant. I have very fond memories of that time. People would say that Bimal-da was like a married print. In those days, the picture and sound negatives were separate and when they were brought together optically to make the release print, it would be called a married print. Bimal-da would shoot two shifts in a day – 7 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 10 pm and would then sit in the editing room working till late night at Mohan Studios. People would say that he is married to films. Bimal Roy was the coolest director I have ever seen. I learnt not only filmmaking from him, but the art of patience and stamina. Shivendra Dungarpur, your work through Film Heritage Foundation is beyond filmmaking. You are the director of directors and maker of makers.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation states, 'When I was working as an assistant to Gulzarsaheb, he would often speak about his guru Bimal Roy. This spurred me to watch all his films right from the time he was a cameraman on P.C. Barua's 'Devdas' to his first Bengali film as a director 'Udayer Pathey' to 'Do Bigha Zamin'. In his films I was struck by the poetic visuals, the silences, the deep humanism and compassion that he showed in the social themes of his films that highlighted the plight of the marginalized, the issues of migrant labour, and the urban-rural divide that are still so relevant today. For me 'Do Bigha Zamin' changed the face of Indian cinema that brought filmmakers out of the studio to begin shooting on the streets. I am so happy that we were able to collaborate with The Criterion Collection / Janus Films to restore not only 'Do Bigha Zamin', but other classics of Bimal Roy like 'Devdas', 'Madhumati' and 'Bandini', which are in the process of being restored.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Bimal Roy family comprising of Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, Joy Bimal Roy states, 'Today, on our father's 116th birthday, the announcement that the restoration of his film 'Do Bigha Zamin' has been selected for a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival is a dream come true for us. This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of Film Heritage Foundation and Fumiko Takagi of the Criterion Collection. Our heartfelt thanks to both of them for their unwavering dedication to restoring and celebrating cinema. 'Do Bigha Zamin' is especially fitting for this prestigious platform, as it holds a unique connection with Italian cinema. After watching Vittorio De Sica's film 'Bicycle Thieves', our father hoped Indian cinema would follow its deeply moving humanist vision. 'Do Bigha Zamin', is an unspoken autobiography of Bimal Roy who was cast off from his home in East Bengal in a similar episode as the hero, peasant, Sambhu Mahato. He never recovered from this cruel separation from his beloved birthplace. In the brief lifetime accorded to our father, he transformed the profile of Indian cinema and was able to stir collective consciousness with his cinematic parables. Our father was a silent cinema poet and a visionary of profound humanism whose work shall continue to act as a beacon whenever dark forces threaten.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bimal Roy's ‘Do Bigha Zamin' to be showcased in the 4k glory at the Venice Film Festival
In honor of Bimal Roy 's 116th birthday, a 4K restored version of his 1953 masterpiece Do Bigha Zamin will be shown at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The 2025 edition of the Venice Film Festival is set to showcase a 4K restored version of 'Do Bigha Zamin", the 1953 classic directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bimal Roy. Under the Venice Classics section, "Do Bigha Zamin," or "Two Acres of Land" in English, is one of a select group of restored cinematic masterpieces that also includes Pedro Almodovar's "Matador," Giuseppe De Santis' "Roma Ore 11," Krzysztof Kieślowski's "Przypadek," and Stanley Kubrick's "Lolita." The screening will be presented by Roy's children — Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, and Joy Bimal Roy — along with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of the Film Heritage Foundation. The restoration is a collaborative effort between the Film Heritage Foundation, The Criterion Collection, and Janus Films. Acclaimed lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar welcomed the announcement, calling the film 'historic." 'It's amazing that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is restored and will be shown in Venice. This film is historic as it changed the way films were made in India. After Chetan Anand's 'Neecha Nagar' which won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, this was the second Indian film to win at the Cannes Film Festival and receive international recognition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dementia Has Been Linked To a Common Habit. Do You Do It? Memory Health Click Here Undo The most important element is that all his films right from the Bengali ones which he made and the Hindi films which he made, all these films were based on literature. Not many people know that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, which was also called 'Do Bigha Zamin'. The script was done by Salil Choudhury," Gulzar said, recalling the time when he started working with Roy's 1961 production 'Kabuliwala". The cinema icon said he has fond memories of the time. 'People would say that Bimal-da was like a married print. In those days, the picture and sound negatives were separate and when they were brought together optically to make the release print, it would be called a married print. Bimal-da would shoot two shifts in a day – 7 am to 2 pm and 2 pm to 10 pm and would then sit in the editing room working till late night at Mohan Studios. People would say that he is married to films. Bimal Roy was the coolest director I have ever seen. I learnt not only filmmaking from him, but the art of patience and stamina," he added. "Do Bigha Zamin," starring Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy, is regarded as a significant film in India's early parallel cinema. The Bengali poem "Dui Bigha Jomi" by Rabindranath Tagore and the short narrative "Rickshawalla" by composer Salil Chowdhury served as the inspiration for the movie, which depicted the misery of a poor farmer battling industrialisation. Dungarpur said he was introduced to the works of Bimal Roy when he was working under Gulzar: 'When I was working as an assistant to Gulzarsaheb, he would often speak about his guru Bimal Roy. This spurred me to watch all his films right from the time he was a cameraman on P C Barua's 'Devdas' to his first Bengali film as a director 'Udayer Pathey' to 'Do Bigha Zamin'." 'In his films I was struck by the poetic visuals, the silences, the deep humanism and compassion that he showed in the social themes of his films that highlighted the plight of the marginalized, the issues of migrant labour, and the urban-rural divide that are still so relevant today. For me 'Do Bigha Zamin' changed the face of Indian cinema that brought filmmakers out of the studio to begin shooting on the streets," he said. Dungarpur said he is glad to collaborate with The Criterion Collection and Janus Films to restore other classics of Bimal Roy such as 'Devdas", 'Madhumati" and 'Bandini". The family of Bimal Roy said the premiere of 'Do Bigha Zamin" at the Venice Film Festival is a 'dream come true for us". 'This would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of Film Heritage Foundation and Fumiko Takagi of the Criterion Collection. Our heartfelt thanks to both of them for their unwavering dedication to restoring and celebrating cinema. 'Do Bigha Zamin' is especially fitting for this prestigious platform, as it holds a unique connection with Italian cinema," Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, and Joy Bimal Roy said in a joint statement. They said Roy was deeply inspired after watching Italian filmmaker Vittorio De Sica's 1948 film 'Bicycle Thieves". 'Our father hoped Indian cinema would follow its deeply moving humanist vision. 'Do Bigha Zamin', is an unspoken autobiography of Bimal Roy who was cast off from his home in East Bengal in a similar episode as the hero, peasant, Sambhu Mahato. He never recovered from this cruel separation from his beloved birthplace. " 'In the brief lifetime accorded to our father, he transformed the profile of Indian cinema and was able to stir collective consciousness with his cinematic parables. Our father was a silent cinema poet and a visionary of profound humanism whose work shall continue to act as a beacon whenever dark forces threaten," they added. The restoration process began in 2022 and took over three years. Initiated by The Criterion Collection and Janus Films, in collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, the process involved extensive repair of damaged negatives stored at the National Film Archive of India. 'Do Bigha Zamin" was the first Indian film to win the Prix International at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival will run from August 27 to September 6.
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Bimal Roy's restored 'Do Bigha Zamin' to premiere in Venice
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 12 (ANI): The restored 4K version of Do Bigha Zamin (1953), directed by Bimal Roy, will have its world premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The announcement was made on what would have been Bimal Roy's 116th birth anniversary. This restoration was led by Film Heritage Foundation in partnership with The Criterion Collection and Janus Films. Members of the Roy family--including daughters Rinki Roy Bhattacharya, Aparajita Roy Sinha, and son Joy Bimal Roy--will be present at the festival along with Film Heritage Foundation director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur of Film Heritage. Do Bigha Zamin is widely regarded as a landmark in Indian cinema. It was the first Indian film to win the Prix International at the Cannes Film Festival in 1954. The film also earned recognition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and won Best Film and Best Director at the first Filmfare Awards in India. The restoration process began in 2022 and took over three years to complete. Original negatives held by the National Film Archive of India and the British Film Institute were used to restore the film. Gulzar, who started his career in films by assisting Bimal Roy during the production of the 1961 Kabuliwala film in a press note said, 'The most important element is that all his films right from the Bengali ones which he made and the Hindi films which he made, all these films were based on literature. Not many people know that 'Do Bigha Zamin' is from a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, which was also called 'Do Bigha Zamin'. The script was done by Salil Choudhury. I started working with Bimal-da, who we used to call Dada, from the film 'Kabuliwala' when I was his chief assistant.' The film, inspired by Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves, tells the story of a poor farmer who moves to the city with his son in a desperate attempt to save his land. It is known for its realistic portrayal of urban poverty and rural displacement, and for Balraj Sahni's critically acclaimed performance. Bimal Roy, considered one of India's most important filmmakers, was known for combining strong social themes with poetic storytelling. His work helped shape the Golden Age of Indian cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. He passed away in 1966 at the age of 56. (ANI)
