As powerful a metaphor as can be found in film, the titular river is the source of life, a symbol of continuity and livelihood for the people in this film. The film tells the tale of traditions, their defiance, their reliance, and their changing, as well as the interconnected communities that the river feeds. It's also, like most stories, a bit about love, but unlike the previously lamented tacked on love stories, these are naturally fitting tales--the marriage traditions, courtship traditions, and religious traditions central to these communities derive from and dictate the relationships that are the basis of the communities.

It's hard to talk about this film without discussing its ending, and rather than try or spoiler-lock this, I'm just going to say that it really drives home the central metaphor. It comes close to being too much, but I think it works because it's a poetic image all on its own.

وكأن جميع ما صنعه ريتويك غاتاك كان جزءً لا يتجزأ من نهر تيتاس 
 ينتج العواطف ويحيكها من على ظهر القرية الممتدة على طول النهر الذي كان بمثابة أيدٍ خفية تحمل في أعماقها الأرواح الضائعة والمكسوة بالذكريات لو كنت سأتحدث عن ما شاهدته سأكون مبتذلة في روايتهِ ، أود فقط صيد الأسماك برفقة نهر تيتاس أريد أن أحمل معه جزءً مما يثقله سيكون طفلًا لي أسبحُ بخفتهِ  بسلمهِ و وفرته 
أشعر ببعض الحنين بعد إنتهائي وكأنه قد جفّ وانا لازلت ارتوي

Friendship ended with SATYAJIT RAY

Now
RITWIK GHATAK
is my
best friend

Might very well be Ritwik Ghatak's best film from what I've seen thus far; there's never a moment that feels wasted but in how he depicts an economic struggle revolving around the area, it's a film that always remains ever so beautiful. But the way in which Ghatak establishes the titular river as a metaphor for how the lives for these people will turn out within the passing of time, A River Called Titas only ever turns for the more heartbreaking.

I can already imagine that Ghatak might be a favourite within due time - and once I see more of his works. Here's to hoping that more will be readily available.

78/100

"Of Mothers n Sacrifices"

Believed to be one of the pioneering work in 'hyperlink cinema', 'A river called Titas' is a collection of interconnected melodramas which features several strong themes like an abduction, a murder, suicide, descent into insanity etc. Ghatak's supremely composed frames are haunting n clearly disturbing considering the period it was made.

The storytelling here is segmented and leans heavily on symbolism, but the acting is distractingly poor. Another flaw that I couldn't overlook was the sound, most of the scenes happen in open air, but it felt like as if itsrecorded in a narrow hall.

But nitpicking aside, what makes this film so memorable is Ghatak’s lyrical feeling for landscapes and the ordinary villagers Who's cynicism, anguish n desperation seems more important to Ghatak than any other Filmmakers till now.

البطولة المُطلقة من نصيب النهر تيتاس حيث كان له التأثير المباشر على حياة القاطنين على ضفافة من مأسي 


تحفة أخرى من البنغالي ريتويك جاتاك من بعد “النجم المغطى بالغيوم“

30 Movies, 30 Countries
#3 Bangladesh

First things first, this is one of the most beautifully shot movies, i didn't stop taking screenshots while watching..

The film deals with the death of fishing village and the life of the people who lives there.
By many interconnected stories, the film succeed to explore endless subjects (mainly traditions and loss).

warning this is really really bummer theater a very sad moving film. from Criterion

It really had me in the first half.

Sprawling, ambitious, and beautiful. I’m sure many like myself will find this to be a difficult watch but I can’t deny just how gorgeous the entire film is.

Marty sent me. This was going quite well until the two hour mark when the "lifelong member of the Communist party" derailed the narrative and injected the boilerplate agitprop of those pesky capitalists breaking the unity of the working class with the double whammy of state supported predatory money lending and the seduction to a false consciousness via theatrical entertainments. Still the rough and ready mixture of melodrama and documentary is rewarding.

Retrospective at the Lincoln Center. Hair on the shore. Fishing boats racing along the currents. Very reminiscent of Stromboli. Something more to write.

78/100

"Of Mothers n Sacrifices"

Believed to be one of the pioneering work in 'hyperlink cinema', 'A river called Titas' is a collection of interconnected melodramas which features several strong themes like an abduction, a murder, suicide, descent into insanity etc. Ghatak's supremely composed frames are haunting n clearly disturbing considering the period it was made.

The storytelling here is segmented and leans heavily on symbolism, but the acting is distractingly poor. Another flaw that I couldn't overlook was the sound, most of the scenes happen in open air, but it felt like as if itsrecorded in a narrow hall.

But nitpicking aside, what makes this film so memorable is Ghatak’s lyrical feeling for landscapes and the ordinary villagers Who's cynicism, anguish n desperation seems more important to Ghatak than any other Filmmakers till now.

49/100

The River Titas flows on but tomorrow it may be bone dry. It may not even have the last drop without which our soul cannot depart.

this is a pretty long film that is uneven. with the right editing this could probably go down to under 2h30. however it is definitely overall a beautiful film. really beautiful direction and some good cinematography here. 

it really plays like a soap opera with all the super dramatic plotlines centered around this important river in the village. until the modernizing world encroaches and destroys everything. 

the first hour or so just whirl by and it can be difficult to follow whats happening so make sure to keep track of names and faces. and also all the fake beards are super hokey. 

i realize im giving a lot of criticism of this movie, but i really liked it and it’s a really good movie. 

recommended.

Don't think I can understand this one without a rewatch.

Watched in jio cinemas. Quality is not good. No English subtitles too.

Might very well be Ritwik Ghatak's best film from what I've seen thus far; there's never a moment that feels wasted but in how he depicts an economic struggle revolving around the area, it's a film that always remains ever so beautiful. But the way in which Ghatak establishes the titular river as a metaphor for how the lives for these people will turn out within the passing of time, A River Called Titas only ever turns for the more heartbreaking.

I can already imagine that Ghatak might be a favourite within due time - and once I see more of his works. Here's to hoping that more will be readily available.