The World of Apu

“apurbha: listen to this: a young boy. a young boy. a village boy. poor but sensitive. his father's a priest. the father dies. the boy comes to the city. he doesn't want to be a priest. he'll study. he's ambitious. he studies. through his education and struggles, we watch as he sheds his old superstitions and fixed views. he questions everything and takes nothing on trust. yet he has imagination and sensitivity. little things move him and bring him joy. perhaps he has greatness in him, the ability to create, but... pulu: he doesn't make it. apurbha: that's right. but it doesn't end there. it's not a tragedy. he does nothing great. he remains poor, in want. but he never turns away from life. he doesn't run away. he wants to live. he says living itself brings fulfillment and joy. he wants to live!”

“my favorite of the apu trilogy— forced myself to watch the trilogy during my birthday last year and I ugly sobbed at this one. Also FUN FACT! I heard Julie Dash speak at an anniversary viewing of Daughters of the Dust last year and she mentioned how all her characters from that film come from Satyajit Ray because she grew up watching the Apu Trilogy in Harlem. sooo freaking fascinating and I need to write about that.”