Jalsaghar (The Music Room)
Dir: Satyajit Ray
1958
****
A beautifully directed tale of an old man whose stubbornness and pride have got the better of him. Chhabi Biswas plays the Landlord well, a man who is the last of his kind who is too reluctant to move with the times to the point where it drives him mad, the only pleasure he has left is his music. Ray's description of the film is of the 'deteriorating life of an old country nobleman' and one can easily feel sympathy for the character. That is until you see the levels of luxury he is used to and the very little he does to earn it. It's a brilliant story of contrast and a melancholy look at the passing of time and tradition. The music and extended dancing scenes are great.