FAMILY CHRONICLES

FAMILY CHRONICLES
Original Title:Atmiyo Sajan
India, 1998
Director: Raja Sen

An old man with a strict code of ethics is appalled and deeply wounded by the harsh circumstances that invade his life. His three sons are caught up in decadent urban values.

One daughter is married off to a corrupt official being investigated by the authorities even while the other is in an unstable marriage. The patriarch decides to escape from the shame of it all by taking his own life.

He persuades his wife to join him, but she is shocked at the very thought of such an act. And then, a series of unexpected events take place….

Screenplay:
Ujjal Chatterjee

Cinematography:
Soumendu Roy

Editing:
Mahadeb Sri

Music:
Patha Sengupta

Principal cast:
Soumitra Chatterjee, Supriya Devi, Sabyasachi Chakraborty, Rituparna Sengupta

Production: Dhatri Films / 35mm / colour / 140 mins

Director's bio-note:
Raja Sen began as an activist in the Group Theatre Movement. His career as an independent director took off in 1982. Home Away from Home, a documentary on a cancer centre and welfare home in West Bengal, had a considerable impact, while his other documentary on Suchitra Mitra, Bengal’s noted Rabindra Sangeet singer, won the national award in 1993 for Best Film in the art and culture section.

In 1995, his debut feature Damu  received the Best Children’s Film award, while Family Chronicles was recognised as the Best Family Film in 1999.