The Pathetic Fallacy

Ajantrik

A unique story of companionship between a jalopy and its owner-driver.

  • Director

    Ritwik Ghatak

  • With

    Kali Bannerjee, Kajal Gupta, Shriman Deepak, Gyanesh Mukherjee

  • India 1958. 102min. Total running time 115min

  • Digital 4K (restoration)

  • English subtitles

An exploration of unlikely companionship between a human and a machine, set in rural India, The Pathetic Fallacy tells the story of Bimal and Jagaddal, the car he bought when his mother died. Blending humanist drama, absurdist humour and inventive sound design, the film transforms a machine into a living character, offering a reflection on modernity, alienation and connection.

Also available on BFI Player

+ The Life of the Adivasis

Adivasiyon Ka Jeevan Srot

India 1955. Director Ritwik Ghatak. 13min. Digital 4K (restoration). With English subtitles

A compassionate depiction of the tribal peoples living in Bihar, written by and featuring the voice of acclaimed Hindi author and screenwriter Radhakrishna.

The screening of The Pathetic Fallacy on Tuesday 21 June will be introduced by season curator Sanghita Sen.