The Tree

Life and art of Indian actor Soumitra Chatterjee Gaach (1998, The Tree) Catherine Berge's exceptional documentary tribute traces the successful career of beloved Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee, and highlights his work with Academy-winning film director Satyajit Ray in 14 films. Soumitra's voice-over in Gaach adds authenticity and character, as does legendary actor Rabi Ghosh's participation. Ms Berge filmed and directed the film Gaach ("The Tree") in Calcutta, with support from director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant, and working with the other Bengali actors who had also appeared in the films of Satyajit Ray. Produced by Merchant and Ivory, the film was originally screened in Paris and Venise in 1997. In 2016, Gaach was screened again at the Paris Cinémathèque during a Satyajit Ray Retrospective. Ms Berge received a standing ovation . —Kim Coston