Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by tinear (A) on December 30, 2013 at 08:56:10

all Audio Asylum inmates.
An aristocratic lord living alone in his decaying ancestral mansion spends what little remains of his formerly vast fortune upon lavish music extravaganzas to which he invites all of his friends.
Meanwhile, into his community has come an upstart, a parvenu financier and businessman who has amassed a fortune--- and seeks to upstage him.
There has never been a film director superior to Ray, and it is impossible to imagine one. This is one of his greatest films, brilliantly and sadly showing the ending of a long period of Indian history--- not unlike that which also would occur in its grand colonizer, England, when the mercantile class ascended to dominance.
What is the power of art, what is its meaning, the limits of its power?
As the aged music lover pursues his passion, we are left to ponder.
A glorious accompaniment to the feast of this film: an extremely sensual dance by what must have been a very famous Indian dancer; those who love Western ballet will be fascinated, those who don't will be astonished.

Edits: 12/30/13