Bollywood Dream factory, a mass phenomenon that is staggering in its sheer scale and impact...
Although popular Indian cinema has overspilled into many other countries, it is still largely unknown in France. And yet these lavish movies which throb to music and dance, and sparkle with hero-worshipped stars, have a thematic and artistic richness that is far removed from the simplistic vision we might have of them.
Beaubourg Center is showing a retrospective on Bollywood playing about 50 films (2 screens) from Feb 4 to April 19th.
Hommage to 5 authors (Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy, Mehboob Khan et V. Shantaram) as well as an in depth scrutiny of the links existing between the historical roots of the phenomenon (back in the 30's) up to to-day cinema which Laagan and Devdas, and Star actress have put in the front seat of Bollywood film.
Music is playing a key role in India, taking center stage in the "pop" - popular music that barely exist outside of cinema in India.
It has produced with the Indian play-back tradition rare phenomenon like Mohammed Raffi
Rafi (Rafi Sahab to most of his fans and well-wishers) was and will be the greatest singer the Indian subcontinent has produced. Rafi Sahab, along with Lata Mangeshkar, shares the Guiness honors for having sung the most number of songs(approx 26,000). During his film career, spanning 40 years (from 1940 to 1980) Rafi Sahab sang a wide variety of songs and versatality has been his forte. He could sing for any mood and for any actor with great ease.
Music often drives the film business with play back names billed larger than the cast. An essential role in the tapes and DVD market.
Try Bollywood Funk, Bollywood Breaks, Bollywood Songs Vol 1&2 (Outcaste)
or The Music of Bollywood (Universal)
Complete panorama and listing
Retrospective in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
Bruno Chatelin