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A River Called Titas (1973) poster

A River Called Titas

dir. Ritwik Ghatak · 1973

Feature
Cultural Dislocation
Mood
Melancholic / Contemplative
Look
stark realism with poetic undertones
Structure
nonlinear with flashbacks and time jumps
Plot

A fisherman, Kishore, marries Basanti when he visits a nearby village. After their wedding night (during which the couple is almost too shy to speak), she is kidnapped on the river. When she is found, she has amnesia; although Basanti does not remember her new husband's name or what he looks like, she remembers the name of his village. Ten years pass before she attempts to find him with their son, who sees his mother as a goddess. Some residents of Kishore's village refuse to share food with Basanti and her son because of the ever-present threat of starvation.

Why watch

"A River Called Titas" is a haunting exploration of love, loss, and the relentless passage of time, set against the backdrop of a river that symbolizes both life and separation. Ritwik Ghatak's masterful storytelling and poignant visuals invite viewers to reflect on the fragility of memory and the enduring bonds of family.

Talking points
  • the impact of memory on identity
  • the intersection of love and loss
  • socio-economic disparities in rural settings
  • the role of nature in human experience
Cultural context
post-colonial identity in Bangladeshthe impact of rural povertythe significance of water in life and culturethe role of memory in personal and collective histories

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every shelf · back to the store