Indian Silver for the Raj

The Cinematheque presents The Chess Players and Lagaan, two outstanding Indian films set against the social, cultural, and political backdrop of the Raj and its aftermath to accompany the Chazen Museum of Art exhibition, "Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj." The exhibition of more than 150 pieces of silverware, which highlight the distinctive regional styles that emerged across India during the British Raj, will be on display until October 4, 2009. It has been organized by the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University. For more information please visit chazen.wisc.edu. Special thanks to Anne Lambert (Chazen Museum of Art).

Saturday, September 12, 7:30 p.m. The Chess Players (Shatranj Ke Khilar) India, 1977, 35mm, color, 127 min. In Urdu with English subtitles Directed by Satyajit Ray With Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi Set in 1856, this historical drama offers a vision of a troubled India steeped in apathy. The East India Company moves to consolidate their hold over North India by annexing the kingdom of Awadh. Yet, the local landlords ignore the chief minister's warnings of impending danger, and continue to indulge their taste for the game of chess. Ray's subtle use of chess as a metaphor parallels the cunning moves by the British as they maneuver to capture the King. Back to top
Friday, September 18, 7:30 p.m. Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India India, 2001, 35mm, color, 224 min. In Hindi with English subtitles Directed by Ashutosh Gowarike With Aamir Khan, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne 1893: In the midst of a two year drought, the inhabitants of a small village ask for a suspension of the British government's crippling land tax, lagaan. A game of cricket will settle the dispute in this Bollywood musical mega-hit. If the villagers win, they get their wish; if they lose, they pay triple. There's only one problem: they don't know how to play cricket. Back to top