The Asia Society is showing Indian cinema this summer. Their program is called Parallel Days/Bollywood Nights and it starts tonight.
Everyone knows what Bollywood is. Movies with fantastic singing and dancing. Parallel Cinema was a movement that ran alternatively to Bollywood that originated in the 1950's. It was also called New Indian Cinema and focused on more realistic themes.
This weekend's showcase starts the series with a 2K restoration of Kaala Patthar screening tonight July 11 at 6:30pm. It is paired with a 2K restoration of Bhuvan Shome on Saturday, July 12 at 2:15pm.
Two weeks later, the Friday, July 25 evening show will be a 35mm print of Shree 420 at 6:30pm. It will be paired with a 4K restoration of Ghatashraddha (The Ritual) on Saturday, July 26 at 2:15pm.
For the Bhuvan Shome screening on July 12, the director Mrinal Sen's son Kunal will join in-person for a discussion following the film.
The Asia Society is located at 725 Park Avenue in Manhattan.