Grains of sand in the eye
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Grains of sand in the eye |
| Original title | Chokher Bali |
| Country of production | India |
| original language | Bengali |
| Publishing year | 2003 |
| length | 167 (120) minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 0 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Rituparno Ghosh |
| script |
Rituparno Ghosh , Rabindranath Tagore (book) |
| production |
Shrikant Mohta , Mahendra Soni |
| music | Debajyoti Mishra |
| camera | Aveek Mukhopadhyay |
| cut | Arghakamal miter |
| occupation | |
| |
Chokher Bali ( Bengali : চোখের বালি cokher bāli ); (literal translation: grain of sand in the eye ) is a Bengali film directed by Rituparno Ghosh , starring Aishwarya Rai . The film is based on Rabindranath Tagore 's novel of the same name. The film was dubbed in Hindi , marketed internationally in this language and screened at numerous film festivals, including the Locarno International Film Festival , the Chicago International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. The original version lasts 167 minutes, the German version is shortened to 120 minutes. It became a hit at the box office.
action
Bengal 1902 : The young widow Binodini, an exceptionally educated and modern woman, is accepted into the home of the wealthy Rajlakshmi, also a widow. Their son Mahendra recently married the young and naive Ashalata and lives in the same house. A close friendship develops between the unequal women Binodini and Ashalata, and they give each other the affectionate nickname “Chokher Bali” (grain of sand in the eye).
Mahendra's step-brother Behari, who is of marriageable age and looking for a wife, also develops an affection for Binodini. But their social status as a widow does not permit marriage. Instead, they cultivate a spiritual and intellectual friendship. While Behari fights for the political independence from England, Binodini stands up against all tradition for the freedom and the rights of widows.
But Mahendra, too, feels drawn to the strong Binodini, and the two start an affair. When Ashalata finds the love letters from Binodini and Mahendra, a world collapses for her and she leaves her husband, even though she is already pregnant. Binodini too, and finally Mahendra too, leave the house. They all meet again in Benares, where Mahendra and Ashalata meet again. Behari proposes marriage to Binodini, but she disappears.
criticism
“A seductive film with a brilliant performance by Ash. The rest is abstract, shockingly cold and just: boring. "
Awards
- National Film Award / Best Film in Bengali to Rituparno Ghosh
- National Film Award / Best Equipment to Indranil Ghosh
- National Film Award / Best Costume Design to Bibi Ray and Sushanto Pal
Nominations
International Film Festival of Locarno - Golden Leopard - to Rituparno Ghosh
Chicago International Film Festival - Golden Hugo - to Rituparno Ghosh