Cinemawala

Cinemawala is a critically acclaimed Indian Bengali drama film released in 2016 and directed by Kaushik Ganguly, one of the stalwarts of contemporary Bengali cinema. Alongside an incredible cast of actors – Paran Bandhopadhyay, Parambrata Chatterjee, Sohini Sarkar, Lama, and Arun Guhathakurata, the movie pays homage to the gradually disappearing tradition of single-screen cinema and celluloid films in the age of digitalization.

The story of Cinemawala revolves around Pranabendu Das (Paran Bandopadhyay), a retired film projector operator who owns a run-down single-screen movie theater named Kamalini. The advent of digitalization degrades the old-world charm of celluloid movies and the once-popular Kamalini is on the verge of closing down. To echo the changes in the film industry, Pranabendu's son Prakash (Parambrata Chatterjee) despises the falling business of single-screen cinemas and believes that his father wastes enormous energy in preserving the dying tradition.

Unable to transform his love for cinema into a profitable business, Pranabendu, nevertheless, persistently carries the burden of his passion. He is reluctant to give up Kamalini, which holds an ocean of memories for him. His old projector, reels, and film cans are his prized possessions, his last standing symbols representing his love for cinema. Despite his love for his old theater, he is crushed by the inability to keep it running. Desperate for revenue, Prakash, a pragmatic and young entrepreneur, emerges as the local DVD pirate lord. He sells pirated DVDs of the latest films, and his business flourishes. The contrasting characters of the father-son duo are a metaphor for the dichotomy between the new and old world of cinema — the coming of digital and the aging of celluloid.

Moumita (Sohini Sarkar), Prakash's wife, and Kajal Sarkar (Arun Guhathakurata), a wandering film's festival curator, are the two other characters central to the film’s narrative. Interestingly, to add a layer of complexity to the narrative, Ganguly’s script put Kajal Sarkar in the plot alongside the character of Prakash, which presents a stark contrast and a direct commentary on how digital technology is rapidly vanishing traditional methods of filmmaking and viewing.

The entire plot unfolds against the backdrop of the paradisiacal landscape of Bengal, where cinema is undeniably an integral part of the cultural fabric. It creates a profound effect, highlighting the enveloping melancholy nostalgic reality of cinema that is conveniently negated and forgotten in the race of digitalization. The film displays masterful cinematography and a heartfelt screenplay that provides a balanced narrative of the grim reality of single-screen theater owners and those who work there, and the new reality of pirate lords who unofficially distribute films, potentially marking the end of an era.

Cinemawala is a poignant tribute to the disappearing culture of celluloid films and single-screen cinemas. It's also about the inevitable truth of change and progression. Moreover, the film is ardent to highlight the passionate love for the film industry and its cultural implications – demonstrating how it influences diverse societal aspects from family dynamics to economy. From the immersive cinematography to the excellent performances and compelling plot, Cinemawala is a gem of contemporary Bengali films that resonate outside of time and place.

This film beautifully crafts a significant and touching story that draws upon real-life changes faced by the cinema industry globally. It elegantly presents a setting where single-screen cinemas are gradually ebbing away, sending a powerful message about the relentless tide of technology and modernity. A visual treat to film enthusiasts and cinema lovers, Cinemawala is an aesthetic masterpiece that explores passion, transformation, and the melancholic beauty of ephemerality in cinematic arts, making it a must-watch for anyone cherishing the charm of old-world cinema.