Oscar-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan has paid glowing tribute to legendary Indian director Satyajit Ray during his visit to the Criterion Closet in New York, calling him one of India’s greatest filmmakers and hailing Pather Panchali as a landmark in world cinema.
Speaking about Ray’s celebrated Apu Trilogy, Nolan said that watching Pather Panchali was a transformative experience. “It blew my mind,” he said, describing the 1955 classic as “an absolutely incredible cinematic achievement.”
Nolan also revealed that while he has watched Pather Panchali, he is yet to see the other two films in the trilogy—Aparajito and Apur Sansar. He picked up the Criterion Collection box set of The Apu Trilogy, saying he was eager to complete the journey of Apu’s life on screen.
Released between 1955 and 1959, The Apu Trilogy traces the life of its protagonist from childhood to adulthood. The films are celebrated for their realism, emotional depth, Ravi Shankar’s memorable music, and their enduring influence on filmmakers across the world.
Apart from Ray’s works, Nolan selected several other classics during his Criterion Closet visit, including Martin Scorsese’s short films, Fritz Lang’s The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, Spike Lee’s Malcolm X, David Lynch’s Lost Highway, and the Qatsi Trilogy.
Nolan also acknowledged the influence of Lang’s The Testament of Dr. Mabuse on The Dark Knight, saying its themes of chaos and anarchy helped shape the character of the Joker.
The acclaimed director has a longstanding connection with India, having visited the country three times. He shot portions of The Dark Knight Rises and Tenet at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort. During his recent visit to Mumbai for The Odyssey, Nolan praised India’s deep love for cinema and described the country’s film culture as uniquely passionate.
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