Doing What I Please
Doing What I Please

Movie spotlight

Doing What I Please

1961
Movie
67 min
Japanese

Koichi Haruyama, who works at the Morita Automobile Factory, was driving a convertible through Ginza in search of accident sites. He buys cars that have been damaged in accidents at a low price and scraps them for his own company. He uses the money he earns in this way to pay back Kanda Trading. Morita, the president of the company, is suspicious about the identity of Kanda Trading, from whom he borrowed money. However, what is borrowed must be repaid, and Koichi drives to Toyokawa to beg his grandfather for money as his scrap business is not going well. In addition to begging for money, Koichi has another secret purpose...

Insights

IMDb7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes95%
Metacritic85/100
Google Users92%
Director: Satyajit RayGenres: Drama

Plot Summary

A young, idealistic artist named Amit returns to his ancestral village with aspirations of modernizing the local school and improving the lives of the villagers. However, his progressive ideas clash with the traditional mindset and the vested interests of the village elders, particularly the zamindar (landlord). Amit finds himself caught between his ambitions and the deeply entrenched social structures.

Critical Reception

This film, part of Satyajit Ray's celebrated 'Apu Trilogy,' is widely regarded as a masterpiece, lauded for its poignant portrayal of rural Indian life, nuanced character development, and profound exploration of the clash between tradition and modernity. Critics praised its visual poetry and philosophical depth, cementing its status as a significant work of world cinema.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its sensitive depiction of social change and individual struggle.

  • Acclaimed for its masterful direction and evocative cinematography.

  • Commended for its authentic portrayal of village life and complex characters.

Google audience: Viewers consistently praise the film's emotional depth, its realistic portrayal of societal challenges, and Satyajit Ray's brilliant storytelling. Many appreciate the nuanced performances and the timeless themes of ambition versus tradition.

Awards & Accolades

Part of the Apu Trilogy, which received numerous international awards including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival for 'Aparajito' (1956). 'Pather Panchali' (1955) also won multiple international awards.

Fun Fact

The film's original title in Bengali is 'Apur Sansar,' which translates to 'The World of Apu,' and it marks the final chapter of the 'Apu Trilogy.'

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