Happy birthday Satyajit Ray: 6 international directors who are inspired by the legendary filmmaker
Renowned veteran filmmaker Satyajit Ray was born on 2 May, 1921, Calcutta. He was a Bengali motion picture director and writer who brought foreign recognition to Indian cinema with his critically acclaimed film ‘Pather Panchali’ (The Song of the Road) and its two sequels, known as the ‘Apu Trilogy’.
‘Pather Panchali’ took two and a half years to complete and after its release in 1955, the film went on to become a huge commercial and critical success. It was also nominated for the Best Foreign Film award at the 28th Academy Awards and it won the Most Human Document award at the 1956 Cannes International Film Festival.
Ray’s films have been a beacon of inspiration for many artists. On his birthday, let’s take a look at some of the foreign creators who have cited Ray as their inspiration.
Martin Scorsese
The ‘Goodfellas’ director has praised Satyajit Ray numerous times. His film ‘Taxi Driver’ has taken inspiration from Ray’s ‘Apu Trilogy’ in its character study and portrayal of urban loneliness.
“Ray’s magic, the simple poetry of his images and their emotional impact, will always stay with me.” —Martin Scorsese
Director Martin Scorsese (Image via X)
Director Martin Scorsese (Image via X)
Akira Kurosawa
The legendary Japanese director has been immensely in awe of Ray’s filmmaking method. Ray’s ‘Pather Panchali’ influenced Kurosawa’s film “Ikiru”, which also explores themes of life’s difficulties and the search for meaning.
“Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon.” —Akira Kurosawa
Directors Akira Kurosawa and Satyajit Ray (Image via X)
Directors Akira Kurosawa and Satyajit Ray (Image via X)
Abbas Kiarostami
Ray’s films have significantly influenced the late Iranian director particularly the visual poetry and humanism present in his works. Ray’s influence can be seen in Kiarostami’s simplistic approach of ordinary life in his film ‘Taste of Cherry’.
Director Abbas Kiarostami (Image via X)
Director Abbas Kiarostami (Image via X)
Wes Anderson
The ‘French Dispatch’ director has expressed the impact that Ray has had on his whimsical artistic sensibility.
Director Wes Anderson (Image via X)
Director Wes Anderson (Image via X)
Christopher Nolan
The ‘Oppenheimer’ director has acknowledged his respect for Ray, identifying “The Apu Trilogy” as a crucial inspiration. His ability to mix reality with surrealism resonated with Nolan, as shown in films like ‘Memento’ and ‘Inception’.
Director Christopher Nolan on the set of Memento (Image via X)
Director Christopher Nolan on the set of Memento (Image via X)
Zhang Yimou
The Chinese director who is famed for making visually striking films has been deeply impacted by Ray’s filmmaking. Ray’s use of visuals and colour affected Zhang Yimou’s aesthetic choices in films like ‘Raise The Red Lantern’ and ‘Hero’.
Director Yimou Zhang (Image via X)
Director Yimou Zhang (Image via X)