ASHA: FYI: Raj Kapoor films at UW Cinematheque (fwd)

[Subramanya Sastry <sastry@cs.wisc.edu>]

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UW-Cinematheque
Fall 2000: Special Events
4070 Vilas Hall
821 University Avenue
Free Admission (Limited Seating)
Screenings begin at 7:30, unless otherwise noted.
http://www.wisc.edu/commarts/cinema.htm


Raj Kapoor: Showman and Social Comedian of Indian
Cinema

Tuesday, September 5: The Vagabond
Wednesday, September 6: Mr. 420
Thursday, September 7: Bobby

September 5-7, the UW Cinematheque will present three evenings devoted to
legendary Indian filmmaker Raj Kapoor (1924_1988), the most internationally
renowned figure of the most prolific movie industry in world.  These films
were featured in a Kapoor retrospective at the Gene Siskel Film Center at the
Art Institute of Chicago in August.  Martin Rubin, programmer at the Gene
Siskel Film Center, writes:  Although art_cinema audiences have been exposed
to the films of such directors as Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen,
and the popular cinema known as Bollywood has recently acquired a cult in the
West, Raj Kapoor was of the few Indian filmmakers who successfully bridged the
gap between the popular and the prestigious.  The epithet most frequently
linked with his name is “Showman.” Producer, superstar, head of his own
studio, and director of films that combine huge popular appeal with artistic
ambition and strong social consciousness, Kapoor has frequently been compared
to Charlie Chaplin. 

The Cinematheque would like to thank the following people for making these
screenings possible:  Mr. Surendra Kumar, Consul General of India in Chicago,
Dr. Pankaj at the Consulate General of India, Chicago, and Martin Rubin at the
Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago.  We also thank the sponsors of the Kapoor
retrospective at the Gene Siskel Film Center: Polo Builders Pvt. Ltd.; Air
India; Directorate of Film Festivals; X.P. Div., MEA, N. Delhi; Consulate
General of India, Chicago. 

More information about Raj Kapoor can be found online at: 
http://www.artic.edu/saic/art/filmcntr/kapoor.html and
http://chicago.indianconsulate.com/RKATGS00.htm

Film descriptions by Martin Rubin, Gene Siskel Film Center, Chicago.  Listed
running times may not be accurate.  The films will be subtitled in English.  A
ten_minute intermission will be added to each screening. 

Tuesday, September 5
7:30 p.m.
THE VAGABOND 
(AWAARA) 
1951, Raj Kapoor, India, 193 min. 
With Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Prithviraj Kapoor. 

Raj Kapoor’s most famous film, THE VAGABOND (a.k.a.  THE TRAMP) became a
popular sensation all over the world, especially in Russia, where its songs
topped the hit parade and copies of the film were specially flown to Soviet
expeditions at the North Pole!  Framed by a dramatic courtroom showdown and
featuring a spectacular, often_imitated dream sequence, the story brings
together an impassioned female lawyer (Nargis), a Chaplinesque vagabond thief
(Raj Kapoor)  who has fallen in love with her, an obstinate judge (Prithviraj
Kapoor__Raj Kapoor’s real_life father) who may be his unacknowledged father,
and a cunning criminal (K.N. Singh) who is using the vagabond as an instrument
of against the judge.  With its assertive yet nurturing heroine and its
mixture of gallantry with “caveman”style lovemaking, THE VAGABOND is perhaps
the most fascinating example of Kapoor’s contradictory and sometimes
controversial sexual attitudes.  (MR) 

 
Wednesday, September 6
7:30 p.m.
MR. 420 
(SHREE 420) 
1955, Raj Kapoor, India, 169 min. 
With Raj Kapoor, Nargis, Nadira, Nemo. 

Another big hit in the Soviet Union, MR. 420 is widely considered to be Raj
Kapoor’s most accomplished film, featuring a deft blend of comedy, sentiment,
and pointed, almost Brechtian social comment.  Once again in a Chaplinesque
mode, Kapoor plays a naive country boy who comes to seek his fortune in
Bombay.  There he finds that his college degree and high ideals count for
little, while dishonesty brings quick rewards.  (The film’s title refers to
Section 420, the portion of the Indian Penal Code covering frauds, cheats, and
swindlers.)  He falls under the sway of a well_respected swindler posing as a
philanthropist, and flip_flops between a virtuous schoolteacher (Nargis) and a
flashy cabaret dancer (Nadira) until his awakening conscience brings him to
the brink of death.  (MR) 


Thursday, September 7
7;30 p.m. 
BOBBY 
1973, Raj Kapoor, India, 168 min. 
With Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Pran. 

A smashing surprise success, BOBBY reversed the fiasco of MY NAME IS JOKER and
established Raj Kapoor’s popularity with a new, younger audience. Reportedly
inspired by the Hollywood tearjerker LOVE STORY and the American comic book
“Archie,” this subcontinental Romeo and Juliet concerns a millionaire’s son,
Raj (Raj Kapoor’s son Rishi in his first leading role), who falls in love with
a fisherman’s 16_year_old daughter, Bobby.  Raj’s father, eager to break up
the romance, insults Bobby’s dad, and the two youthful lovers flee to the
wilds of Goa, where they are prepared to embrace death together unless their
elders come to their senses.  The film’s success inspired a horde of
imitations, and Kapoor’s nubile discovery Dimple Kapadia created a sensation
in her miniskirts and bikinis.  Elliott Stein of the Village Voice called
BOBBY, “A charming commercial film, a quality confection, a tasty all_India
bonbon.” (MR)  -