Phantom India

wonderwomanusa · Aug 10th, 2005, 08:47

I saw Louis Malle's Phantom India when it was new; it was one of the reasons I first went to India. Now, it's playing again in San Francisco -- at the Balboa Theater; if you're in the Bay Area, I'd say "don't miss it!"

Sunday, August 14

PHANTOM INDIA Part One (1968-69)
THE IMPOSSIBLE CAMERA
THINGS SEEN IN MADRAS
Intermission
THE INDIANS AND THE SACRED
Malle examines the caste system, officially abolished in 1947 but still going strong, the Hindu and Muslim religions, the poverty of the countryside, the bustling metropolis of Bombay and the rival cultures of the Aryan North and Dravidian South. He finds that there are always several convincing answers to every question.

Long out of circulation. Each episode was designed to be completely autonomous, so that you can watch them in any order. Part One: 162 min Each episode is 58 minutes. (They can be seen in any order) **

(Part Two plays Sunday, August 21)

Complete shows at (1:00), 4:30, 8:00

dzibead · Aug 10th, 2005, 10:42

Wow! Thanks for that heads-up, wwusa! I saw it when it first came out, too, and it blew me away. I've always wanted to see it again, but it's never been out on video and I've never seen it shown on TV or in "revival" movie theaters. For anyone in the SF Bay Area, try not to miss it!

Mandsaur · Aug 10th, 2005, 22:22

They played here in NYC at Lincoln Center in June, and are reportedly going to be released on DVD by Criterion in the near future.

I wasn't able to go to any of the "Phantom India" films but I did see Malle's "Calcutta", his first India film and the one that inspired him to do the longer series. A fantastic snapshot of the city--most interesting because it shows how little things have changed there in the past 40 years...

wonderwomanusa · Aug 13th, 2005, 13:43

Dzi Bead, I am really looking forward to it. Having eye surgery on Tuesday and hoping to be recovered in time for a weekend movie!

Mandsaur, I haven't seen Malle's "Calcutta;" I'll have to check the schedule and see if the same theater is showing that one.

dzibead · Aug 13th, 2005, 14:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

Dzi Bead, I am really looking forward to it. Having eye surgery on Tuesday and hoping to be recovered in time for a weekend movie!

Mandsaur, I haven't seen Malle's "Calcutta;" I'll have to check the schedule and see if the same theater is showing that one.

wwusa:

So your're having eye surgery between the two weekends' programs? Good luck! Dare I ask - cataracts? A friend of mine just had his second eye done and now both eyes are doing just fine.

wonderwomanusa · Aug 14th, 2005, 12:11

Actually, I'm having the cataract surgery this coming Tuesday and am hoping that by the weekend I'll be able to sit through a fairly long film. If not, well, I can rent the DVD when it comes out, but would rather see it on big screen!

I'm very stressed at the moment; I know it's easy and highly-successful surgery, but the last time I was in hospital for anything was when I was 12.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dzibead

wwusa:

So your're having eye surgery between the two weekends' programs? Good luck! Dare I ask - cataracts? A friend of mine just had his second eye done and now both eyes are doing just fine.

shanthi · Aug 14th, 2005, 13:17

Wouldn't mind seeing that one myself ! Any idea when it came out on DVD? Over here in Ireland things take a little time to reach us.....sadly, & we're such a small Island that it can be decades ha ha ha!

wonderwomanusa · Aug 15th, 2005, 11:07

Shanthi, the Phantom India DVD is due out this year -- you'll have to keep your eye out for it.

There are 8 "episodes" to the film; the cinema is playing them four at a time. I saw the first part this afternoon, and it was as strange and exotic to me now as it was when I first saw the film in the late 60s.

Strangely enough, I didn't see any of our buddies from IndiaMike there -- but maybe they all went to later shows.

Aug 10th, 2005, 08:47	#1
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,479	Phantom India I saw Louis Malle's Phantom India when it was new; it was one of the reasons I first went to India. Now, it's playing again in San Francisco -- at the Balboa Theater; if you're in the Bay Area, I'd say "don't miss it!" Sunday, August 14 PHANTOM INDIA Part One (1968-69) THE IMPOSSIBLE CAMERA THINGS SEEN IN MADRAS Intermission THE INDIANS AND THE SACRED Malle examines the caste system, officially abolished in 1947 but still going strong, the Hindu and Muslim religions, the poverty of the countryside, the bustling metropolis of Bombay and the rival cultures of the Aryan North and Dravidian South. He finds that there are always several convincing answers to every question. Long out of circulation. Each episode was designed to be completely autonomous, so that you can watch them in any order. Part One: 162 min Each episode is 58 minutes. (They can be seen in any order) ** (Part Two plays Sunday, August 21) Complete shows at (1:00), 4:30, 8:00

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Aug 10th, 2005, 10:42	#2
dzibead Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,077	Wow! Thanks for that heads-up, wwusa! I saw it when it first came out, too, and it blew me away. I've always wanted to see it again, but it's never been out on video and I've never seen it shown on TV or in "revival" movie theaters. For anyone in the SF Bay Area, try not to miss it!

Aug 10th, 2005, 22:22	#3
Mandsaur Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York, NY Posts: 140	They played here in NYC at Lincoln Center in June, and are reportedly going to be released on DVD by Criterion in the near future. I wasn't able to go to any of the "Phantom India" films but I did see Malle's "Calcutta", his first India film and the one that inspired him to do the longer series. A fantastic snapshot of the city--most interesting because it shows how little things have changed there in the past 40 years...

Aug 13th, 2005, 13:43	#4
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,479	Dzi Bead, I am really looking forward to it. Having eye surgery on Tuesday and hoping to be recovered in time for a weekend movie! Mandsaur, I haven't seen Malle's "Calcutta;" I'll have to check the schedule and see if the same theater is showing that one.

Aug 14th, 2005, 13:17	#7
shanthi Account closed on user's request Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: South India Posts: 785	Wouldn't mind seeing that one myself ! Any idea when it came out on DVD? Over here in Ireland things take a little time to reach us.....sadly, & we're such a small Island that it can be decades ha ha ha!

Aug 15th, 2005, 11:07	#8
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 3,479	Shanthi, the Phantom India DVD is due out this year -- you'll have to keep your eye out for it. There are 8 "episodes" to the film; the cinema is playing them four at a time. I saw the first part this afternoon, and it was as strange and exotic to me now as it was when I first saw the film in the late 60s. Strangely enough, I didn't see any of our buddies from IndiaMike there -- but maybe they all went to later shows.

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