Directed by Satyajit Ray | India | 93 mins

Bengali with English Subtitles

One of the great masterworks of director Satyajit Ray, Devi uses the powerful and expressionist techniques of a master filmmaker to question the orthodoxy of an entire society. A wealthy devotee of Kali (the goddess of change and death) becomes consumed by the idea that his daughter in law (an incandescent Sharmila Tagore) is the incarnation of the Mother Goddess. Convinced she has healing powers, he encourages the local population to worship the young girl, leading to dramatic and profound consequences for both her family and the wider community. 

A deeply political film, the deceptively simple Devi explores the most sacrosanct ideas of patriarchy, faith and objectification with radiant emotional resonance. With lustrous cinematography by Subrata Mitra that seems to be lit by burning phosphorus, Devi explores the impact and intoxication of one person being heralded as a goddess.

Written by Scott Lang.

Part of our Divine Awakenings Series 

Community Partner:

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In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge that this screening takes place on Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory, as well as the oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta District 6. Finally, we acknowledge all Nations, Indigenous and non, who live, work and play, as well as help steward this land, honour and celebrate this territory.