‘Thamp̄’ (‘The Circus Tent’), IN, 1978, directed by Govindan Aravindan
Source: Film Heritage Foundation, Mumbai
Film Restored – Screening ‘Thamp̄’ (‘The Circus Tent’)
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‘Thamp̄’ (‘The Circus Tent’), IN, 1978, directed by Govindan Aravindan
OV with EN subtitles
Original format: 35 mm, 1:1,33, bw
Screening print: 4K DCP, 130 min, Film Heritage Foundation, Mumbai
This poetic, allegorical film gently explores the transience of human relationships and the rootlessness of the marginal- ized. In cinéma-vérité style, Aravindan travels with a troupe of circus artistes to the village of Thirunavaya on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river. The director said, “we did not have a script and we shot the incidents as they happened”. For three days, the circus is the focus of village life, but the villagers soon lose interest and move on to preparations for a local festival. The circus troupe packs up and trundles away, leaving no trace.
‘Thamp̄’ was restored using the best surviving element: a dupe negative struck from a 35mm print preserved at the National Film Archive of India. Restored by Film Heritage Foundation, the Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, and Cineteca di Bologna at at Prasad Corporation Pvt. Ltd, Chennai, and L’Immagine Ritrovata Laboratory, in association with General Pictures and the family of Govindan Aravindan.
→ Tickets: 8,50 €