Indian & Tibetan Cinema
Hindi/Urdu cinema is the most prolific in the world, churning out literally hundreds of films a year. Centred in Mumbai (once Bombay), it has earned the nickname 'Bollywood' (see 'Browse the Aisles' sub-category 'Bollywood Masala'). The cinema Western audiences are used to from India is what local audiences there would term 'art films'. These are not widely patronised in India, but many such as 'The Apu Trilogy' from Bengali director Satyajit Ray and the works of Mira Nair like 'Salaam Bombay' and 'Monsoon Wedding' have been received to great acclaim in the wider world.
This section is called 'Indian & Tibetan'. From Tibet we have (at the moment) just a handful of films. But as film makers emerge from this region Alice is committed to expanding our collection from both Tibet and India.
Himalaya (1999)
7.5/10
Director: Eric Valli
Starring: Thilen Lhondup, Gurgon Kyap, Lhakpa Tsamchoe
This epic portrayal of the traditional life of Tibetan Herdsmen is set in the bleak but majestic scenery of the Himalayas. The story centres on the yo... Read more
The Namesake (2006)
7.6/10
Director: Mira Nair
Starring: Irfan Khan, Kal Penn, Tabu , Jacinda Barrett, Zuleikha Robinson
Spanning two generations of an Indian immigrant family in New York, Mira Nair's culture clash drama begins as Ashoke (Irfan Khan) and his arranged bri... Read more
A Tale of a Naughty Girl (2002)
6.7/10
Director: Buddhadeb Dasgupta
Starring: Samata Das, Rituparna Sengupta, Arpan Basar
India, 1969. Rajani, a prostitute, and her daughter, Lati, both live in a bordello in a little town called Gospaira. Hoping that her daughter will hav... Read more
My Name is Khan (2010)
8/10
Director: Karan Johar
Starring: Kajol , Shah Rukh Khan
Two of Bollywood's biggest superstars star in the triumphant story of an unconventional hero and the obstacles he must overcome to regain the love of... Read more
The World Of Apu ( Apu Trilogy Part 3 ) (1959)
8.3/10
Director: Satyajit Ray
Starring: Soumitra Chatterjee, Sharmila Tagore
The third of the famous 'Apu trilogy' although 'World of Apu' stands on its own as a brilliant, artistically meaningful film. Told in a straight forwa... Read more
Asoka (2001)
Director: Santosh Sivan
Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Danny Denzongpa
A sweeping epic which traces the life of Emperor Asoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya who ascended the throne of Magadha in the 3rd century B.C.... Read more
The Crow's Egg (2014)
Director: M Manikandan
Starring: Ramesh , J Vignesh, Iyshwarya Rajesh
"The Crow's Egg mines the wide open territory between Tamil social realism and Bollywood escapism. Big Crow's Egg and Little Crow's Egg - the name com... Read more
Parineeta (2005)
7.3/10
Director: Pradeep Sarkar
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Vidya Balan, Raima Sen
Set in the Calcutta of 1962 then known as 'the Paris of the East', this timeless love story is based on Saratchandra Chatterjee's 1924 novel. Little... Read more
Amal (2007)
7.6/10
Director: Richie Mehta
Starring: Roshan Seth, Seema Biswas, Naseeruddin Shah, Koel Purie, Rupinder Nagra
Amal Kumar (Rupinder Nagra) drives a motorized rickshaw on the crowded streets of New Delhi. One day, while pursuing a pint-sized purse snatcher, the... Read more
Valley of Flowers (2005)
7/10
Director: Pan Nalin
Starring: Naseeruddin Shah, Milind Soman
An epic tale of love, death and immortality, based on an ancient Himalayan legend. This mesmerizing tale spans two centuries, from the Silk, Spice and... Read more