Distant Thunder

Distant Thunder is a Bengali drama film that released in 1973. Directed by Satyajit Ray, the film stars Soumitra Chatterjee, Bobita, and Sandhya Roy in lead roles. The film explores the repercussions of the Naxalite movement in Bengal during the 1970s, as seen through the eyes of a politically apathetic family. The film opens with Indranath (Soumitra Chatterjee), a disenchanted school teacher who is disillusioned with the political situation in Bengal. He is frequently at odds with his wife, Monisha (Bobita), who is politically active and supports the Naxalite movement. Monisha's younger sister, Tutul (Sandhya Roy), also supports the movement and is a member of a communist party. As the story progresses, we see the effects of the Naxalite movement on Indranath's family. Tutul is arrested by the police and tortured, causing her to become mentally unstable. Monisha becomes involved with a Naxalite leader, and Indranath is forced to take refuge in his own home after being targeted by the police. Throughout the film, Ray offers a nuanced portrayal of the Naxalite movement, highlighting both its idealistic aspirations and its violent excesses. He also subtly critiques mainstream politics, which he portrays as corrupt and ineffective. The film's cinematography is equally impressive, with Ray employing a variety of techniques to convey the emotional states of his characters. For example, the use of close-ups highlights the pain and suffering of Tutul, while the use of wide shots conveys the sense of isolation felt by Indranath. A particularly powerful scene takes place towards the end of the film, in which Indranath's home is raided by the police. The scene is shot in slow motion, with the sound of the raid distorted and muffled. This creates a sense of disorientation and confusion, effectively conveying the traumatic experience of being raided. The performances by the three leads are equally impressive. Soumitra Chatterjee is particularly effective in portraying Indranath's emotional journey from political apathy to political awareness. Bobita is also excellent as Monisha, conveying her passion and dedication to the Naxalite cause. Sandhya Roy is equally impressive in her portrayal of Tutul, particularly in the film's more intense and emotional scenes. Overall, Distant Thunder is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a nuanced portrayal of the Naxalite movement in Bengal. Satyajit Ray's direction, combined with the excellent performances and cinematography, make it a must-watch for fans of Indian cinema.

Distant Thunder is a Drama movie released in 1975. It has a runtime of 96. Critics and viewers have rated it mostly positive reviews, with an IMDb score of 8.0..