Mrinal Sen: The Absence Trilogy

Mrinal Sen's films Ekdin Pratidin, Kharij and Ekdin Achanak, considered amongst his best works, are sensitive portrayals of the middle-class psyche. Although not strictly forming a trilogy, having been produced years apart, each in its own way deals centrally with the idea of absence: the sudden absence of one member of a unit, exposing the absence of certain values, and leading to a qualitative change in relationships and attitudes amongst those left behind. A thoughtful and discursive introductory essay explores this common thread that runs through the structure of these three very different films.

This volume contains shot-by-shot reconstructions - post-production filmscripts - of all three films, as well as a comprehensive introductory essay which reads them from the point of view of 'absence' and its impact on the present and future of the people involved. The volume is profusely illustrated with black-and-white reproductions of scenes from the films.

About the Author

Mrinal Sen established his reputation as one of India's leading alternative film directors decades ago. He continues to make cinema which is hailed as sensitive and thought-provoking, winning kudos nationally and internationally wherever serious cinema is discussed and shown.

Somnath Zutshi is psychoanalyst who has been studying, researching and writing on cinema; he is currently engaged in preparing an analytical history of the Indian cinema with Biren Das Sharma, who researches, writes on, and teaches film at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Calcutta.