DEVI   Director: Satyajit Ray Year: 1960 Runtime: 93 min. Country: India Language: Bengali with English subtitles Color: B&W Format: 16mm

Satyajit Ray's DEVI is about the conflict of old and new India as it is waged over the body and soul of a shy young bride. A wealthy and deeply religious landowner convinces his son's gentle wife that she is the incarnation of the goddess Kali, and after "miracles" occur, the entire village begins to fervently believe. Upon its release, DEVI sparked protests throughout India for what was perceived as an attack on Hinduism and was initially banned from foreign distribution. It has since come to be regarded as one of Satyajit Ray's finest achievements. "Ray's feeling for the intoxicating beauty within the disintegrating way of life of the 19th century landowning class makes this one of the rare, honest films about decadence." — Pauline Kael, The New Yorker "It's a film that bears all the hallmarks of Ray's best work: gracefulness, exquisite pacing and composition, love for his characters and a deep regard for the power of silence to tell a story." — Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle "One of Satyajit Ray's greatest early films. Full of sensuality and ironic undertones." — Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader     showtime Monday, October 16 at 7 pm location THE GREEN ROOM 144 West Street admission $6 general / $4 GBFS members

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