Goddess

At one point in Goddess, Roy (Biswas), the patriarch of the family at the centre of Ray’s period drama, complains that his son Umaprasad (Chatterjee) is becoming “Christianized”. Addressing the influence of western culture on late 19th century Indian society, this dialogue also reveals something about the appeal of the film for western audiences; it’s story of a girl Doyamoyee (Tagore) hailed as the reincarnation of the Hindu goddess Kali should resonate for anyone familiar with Lourdes, Knock or simply Christianity itself. As Roy’s home becomes a shrine for the desperate and sick, the naïve Doyamoyee begins to believe her own hype, much to the chagrin of the more rational and enlightened Umaprasad. Ray’s approach to what could be a broad tale is typically understated and beautifully played, and while it may not be as immediately satisfying as some of his other works, it’s not hard to spot the influence films like this have had on Scorsese, Leigh and Wes Anderson.