Masters of Asian Cinema returns Tuesday with “Charulata” at the Pickford

The next Masters of Asian Cinema film is "Charulata," which screens at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan.9, 2018, at the Pickford Film Center, 1318 Bay Street.

Based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore, renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray's "Charulata" is a stirring depiction of a woman named Charulata (Madhabi Mukherjee) in late 19th century Calcutta who is neglected by her busy husband Bhupati (Shailen Mukherjee) a politically active newspaper publisher. When his cousin arrives for a visit after finishing university, Charulata discovers new resources and emotions within herself. While about the kindling of romantic feelings, this film is even more movingly about Charulata's realization of her intellectual and creative power.

Co-sponsored by Western Libraries and the Pickford Film Center, the Masters of Asian Cinema series continues the rich tradition that began with the Masters of Japanese Cinema series, one of the Pickford's longest running and most popular series. Each film in the Masters of Asian Cinema series begins with an introduction from select speakers including local professors, artists, and educators. David Curley, Professor Emeritus from Western Washington University’s Department of Liberal Studies, will introduce Charulata.

This year’s remaining film series lineup includes "Maborosi," the first feature by Kore-eda Hirokazu, which will be here in March in a newly restored print. Later in the spring will screen Taiwanese filmmaker Chen Kuo-fu’s "2001 The Personals." And finally, three features by Taiwanese director Edward Yang will be shown: his last feature, "Yi Yi," his second feature "Taipei Story" (written by – and starring! – director Hou Hsiao-hsien), and, in a special presentation, his remarkable 4-hour film "A Brighter Summer Day," (which will screen on a Saturday morning because of its runtime). For more information about this series, please contact Jeff.Purdue@wwu.edu.