THE RITUAL (GHATASHRADDHA)

Released at the peak of the Parallel Cinema movement in India, Girish Kasaravalli''''s groundbreaking debut feature is a scathing critique of religious hypocrisy. The film tells of a friendship between two outsiders, a young Brahmin boy at a religious school, bullied by his peers, and the headmaster''''s widowed daughter who conceals a secret pregnancy for fear of being ostracised. Kasaravalli''''s forthright and uncompromising film takes aim at a vicious patriarchal system. Its daring subject matter and neorealist approach established him as a major talent in the Indian film industry. '>>' The Ritual (Ghatashraddha, 1977) presented from the new 4K restoration by Film Heritage Foundation, Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project and George Lucas' Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. '>>' New filmed interview with director Girish Kasaravalli. '>>' Booklet with new writing by author Dr Omar Ahmed, director Girish Kasaravalli on the film, plus Film Heritage Foundation''''s Shivendra Singh Dungarpur on the restoration. '>>' New and improved English subtitles. + MORE TBC