Devi

Director: Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray, Satyajit Ray

1960 / 93min

Ray’s baroquely styled depiction of religious fanaticism focuses on a man, Kalikinkar (Chhabi Biswas), who becomes obsessed with the idea that his young daughter-in-law, Doyamoyee (Sharmila Tagore), is the reincarnation of the ferocious goddess Kali. Showing the process whereby his mounting fervor slowly wears away the young woman’s sense of self, Devi’s pointed criticism of the dangers of superstition stirred up much controversy in India, causing it to be banned from export for a time. “Dreamily sensual, ironic… Creates an atmosphere that intoxicates.”—The New Yorker