Fri May 23 03:59:23 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Satyajit Ray’s restored film, “Aranyer Din Ratri,” received a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. The restoration was spurred by American filmmaker Wes Anderson’s appreciation for the film. Bengali viewers express pride in the film’s revival, seeing it as a significant moment for Bengali cinema and a relevant commentary on modern life and societal issues. Experts highlight the film’s thematic resonance with contemporary concerns and the restoration’s exceptional quality.

**News Article:**

**Ray’s Restored Classic “Aranyer Din Ratri” Receives Standing Ovation at Cannes**

**Cannes, France -** Satyajit Ray’s iconic 1970 Bengali film, “Aranyer Din Ratri” (Days and Nights in the Forest), has been celebrated at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival, receiving a standing ovation following its restored premiere. Actors Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal, who starred in the original film, were present at the event.

The film, which follows four friends from Calcutta on a break in the forests of Jharkhand, explores themes of self-discovery and the intrusion of civilization into natural environments. The restoration of the film was initiated by American filmmaker Wes Anderson.

Bengali film enthusiasts have expressed immense pride in the film’s resurgence on the international stage. Goutam Krishna Deb, a descendant of the Raja Naba Krishna Deb family, reminisced about seeing the film upon its original release and praised Kaberi Bose’s performance.

“It is wonderful and unfortunate at the same time that an American filmmaker took the initiative to restore this masterpiece – why didn’t an Indian filmmaker think of preserving this cinematic heritage? But on second thoughts, since a Westerner has promoted it, it got its due importance.” said Rajeshwari Mitra, a writer.

Murshidabad-based film buff Maitrayee Paul described the moment as a “proud, goosebump-inducing moment.” She added, “This isn’t just a film, it’s a cornerstone of Bengali cinema. It reaffirms what we’ve always known: that Satyajit Ray’s cinema isn’t just regional, it’s universal.”

Experts highlight the film’s enduring relevance. Dr Ariktam Chatterjee, an assistant professor, noted the film’s commentary on the Anthropocene and its exploration of economic exploitation and sexuality. Dr Pinaki De, from the Society for Preservation of Satyajit Ray Archive, lauded the chemical restoration process, calling it a “lesson for every cinematographer,” and confirmed Ray considered this one of his best movies.

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