Original subtitles

Producer: Sarbani Bhattachorya

Leading players: Soumitra Chatterji, Babita y Sandhya Roy

From the novel by Bibhuti Bhuson Bannerji

DISTANT THUNDER

Photography: Soumendu Roy

Editing: Dulal Dutt

Scenario, music and direction: Satyajit Ray

Flying ships!

How beautiful!

Like a flight of cranes.

The oilman is here; he's waiting.

Let him wait.

Ananga is like me...

She loves water.

Water was so scarce where we lived before.

Here, I can swim to my heart's content.

Can you swim under water?

I'm afraid to.

Watch.

Where is she?

She's not afraid of anything.

Must you show off? Never do that again.

It frightens me.

Don't worry, I lead a charmed live.

When I was young, cholera broke out in our village.

Eight of my family died, but I was all right.

Do you know how many places I've lived in since my marriage?

Hariharpur; my husband's home,

Basudevpur, Bhatchala; where water was scarce,

And now Natungeon. Four places in four years.

You won't leave yet, will you?

We haven't even settled in.

Everyone's glad you're here; they say you've made the place brighter.

What do you mean?

You're so beautiful.

Your looks win peoples over.

A slap would do you good!

How about yourself?

No, not me.

Who's he?

He works at the kiln.

He does stare.

That's how he is.

And his face!

It's enough to frighten the life out of you!

Hallo, Moti.

- When did you arrive? - Just now.

Don't touch me now; I'd have to bathe again.

All right.

I've been talking about Bhatchala...

...and how scarce water is.

Do you remember?

We often talk about you too.

How is everybody?

- How are Kali and Bhanu? - They're fine.

And Bhahu's baby?

She had a girl in August, almost a month ago.

It was time, she was quite big when we left.

It's your turn now, you know; then we'll celebrate.

When the times comes.

You Know, Moti, we're really very happy here.

I hope to continue this way.

Do you know how we managed the first year we were married?

He had to sell arum roots, so we could buy rice.

You helped us too, remember?

You used to bring us mangoes and other fruit.

I was happy to.

We loved having you in our village.

Why don't you stay here for a few days?

You would be welcome.

Moti is here.

Welcome, Moti.

How much was the fish?

Sidhucharan caught eight.

So he thought it would be good to give one to a Brahmin.

How lush the garden is already.

Moti, I'll give you some oil; will you bathe?

The river's on the other side of the small wood.

This evening...

...I think I'll go out for a chat.

Well, Biswas is the most important man around here.

I want to talk to him about starting a school.

He does have connections.

Weren't you setting up as doctor?

That I've already done.

This is something different.

These people are simple and ignorant; we must gather them in.

Imagine it.

I'll run a school, and as the only Brahmin in the village...

...I could also work as a priest.

Will you manage all that?

A priest's job isn't hard.

Just follow the almanac's instructions.

-You know, today... - What?

It's nothing.

- Tell me. - No, don't worry about it.

You'll laugh.

Is it something funny?

I don't know.

I won't laugh.

Mokshada said I'm so beautiful...

...I brighten up the place.

Why the stare?

I'm trying to see if it's true.

Haven't you looked at me before?

Good afternoon. Can I get in?

Could you examine my pulse?

Doctoring calls for a lot of skill, you know.

It's not like digging.

It has to be done with cool head.

How were you yesterday?

Heavy as a stone. I had a high temperature.

- What did you eat? - A little rice.

Good heavens, man! Rice won't cure your fever.

I won't eat more.

Stupid peasant... no common sense at all.

Take this with honey and juice of basil leaves.

Thank you so much.

- Have you any mustard seed? - Yes, sir.

Very well.

Send two measures; I don't buy oil, the oilman makes mine from seed.

Good day, Pundit, sir.

- Keep some palm juice for me. - I'll send it tomorrow, sir.

Bring carpet for the Pundit!

A nice little temple you have here.

Are services held?

Next year, we hope.

Please, sit down.

Can you take services, sir?

Stupid question!

If the Pundit can't, who can?

You really ought to have more respect !

A smoke, sir?

Don't offer the Pundit that dirty pipe, you fool!

Just a moment; I'll fetch a clean pipe from the house.

Think before you speak.

You asked about services, do you know anything about them?

He's an ignorant.

What I've come about is this: I've decided to open a school.

IЎll discuss it with Biswas. I'll expect you to send your children.

A good idea.

That'll be nice for the kids.

For kids and adults.

Here's a brand-new pipe for you, sir.

Will you charge any fee?

The school is bound to cost money, of course.

Teaching is its own reward...

...but I must make ends meet, so pay me what you can.

Don't worry, sir. all will be taken care of.

After all, you are the jewel in our crown.

What is a crown, without a head, Mr. Biswas?

You are the head, as everybody knows.

The school is agreed.

Now let's me see...

...how you can keep your pot boiling.

How many do you have to feed?

Two, my wife and I.

Ten measures of rice ought to last a month.

Might be.

I suggest you officiate as our priest, too.

Not a bad idea, I took a lot of trouble to learn Sanskrit.

- I've had many sleepless nights. - It's true.

Few can even pronounce it.

How can they, if they don't study it?

Did you understand what I said?

I'm the last person to ask, I must say.

I didn't get beyond primary school.

The birds call and twitter, as dawn begins to glimmer.

That's what I learnt, and I still remember it, you see.

Once five is five, twice five is ten...

Give me your hand, I'll show you.

Fingers stiff from digging take six months to loosen up.

Fetch me some tobacco...

...and live coal from your aunt.

- What do you want? - I've come to see you, sir.

Come nearer.

What's so funny?

I've come from Kamdevpur, sir, six mile away.

Cholera has broken out near our village.

Come and hold a service, so we'll be spared.

This is no place to talk about it; come to my house.

Tell your father to come and shave me tomorrow.

It won't be easy.

Don't let us down, sir. You're our only hope.

The kundalini has to be invoked; that will be expensive.

We'll all contribute.

There are seventy families in the village.

Just tell us what you will need.

I'll make a list.

How many saris have you? Come on, tell me.

Three plain ones. No, four.

And fine ones?

Two.

- Which sort would you like? - A fine one, with a red border.

You shall have it.

Will you be able to do what they hope for?

Me? All books on hygiene give rules for cholera prevention.

Now the most important thing.

Is there a neem tree?

In the north-east?

Sure it's in the north-east?

If you say so, sir.

It must be.

We must tie this pennant to it.

And remember: don’t drink river water for a month.

Don't eat stale food. Throw away food on which flies have settled.

Finished the service, sir? My name is Bhattacharji.

That's my village over there.

I am starving, sir.

The price of rice has risen from four to six rupees.

I can't see well enough to work any more. I'm sixty-nine, too.

What do you expect me to do?

If you could give me...

...some of what you've earned today: some rice, some dhall.

Rice is not so expensive where I live.

They say it's the war.

Because the Japanese have taken Singapore.

They say the price will rise even higher.

Perhaps a little of that.

You don't know what you've done for me.

May I ask your name?

Ganga Charan Chakravarty.

I'll come and visit you one day.

I want to watch you cook one day.

You want to learn cooking, too?

What makes your dishes so tasty?

This curry, for instance; what did you put into it?

Why should I tell you?

You Know so many things; can't you leave cooking to me?

If rice go up, we'll have to forget about good cooking.

But didn't you say the old man was exaggerating?

Well, there is a war on; that's no exaggeration.

Who is fighting?

Our king is fighting the Germans and the Japanese.

Haven't you seen the planes?

Yes, I love to watch them.

Well, those planes are all going to the war.

How do they fly?

It's to do with machines.

The sky has a lot of wind; the higher you go, the stronger it is.

Haven't you watched kites?

How are you, Yaseen?

Fine, sir, except I have no kerosene.

No kerosene on the market.

You really have none?

It seems I'll have to petition the District Magistrate.

I've never heard of money not being able to buy things.

Is it because of the war, too?

So they say.

Buy extra salt and rice now.

Will they disappear, too?

If there's nothing else, you can live on rice and salt.

We businessmen have to think ahead.

Now the trouble's started, no one knows what will happen.

Now you've got me worried.

Mr. Chakravarty, are you at home?

He's out.

Who is that? His wife?

May I have some water? I'm a Brahmin.

I thought I might lunch here today.

This is delicious.

May I have a little more?

Fried Lady's-Fingers?

And chili?

Want some chili, birdie?

Give me the pipe.

I always light my own.

This war we hear about...

How long will it last?

How do we know?

Wars are waged by kings; we are ordinary, simple folk.

I hear the Germans have captured some 'pore or other.

Singapore.

Not the Germans, the Japanese

In which province, sir?

In Midnapore.

Is that near Puri?

Not far; a bit to the west.

So that's where the war is. And that's put up the price of rice?

It's only natural.

Don't let that worry you.

My granary is full; there'll be enough to go round.

He asked for you.

- Who is he? - I don't know; he asked for you by name.

I know; it's that old fellow.

-When did he come? - Long ago; he lunched here.

You gave him yours?

Isn't he a guest?

There's no kerosene, rice is eight rupees.

Be careful who you feed.

So you're back.

I've had a good nap after that delicious lunch.

I've come for advice. There's no rice where we live.

The little we can find...

...is for selling for ten rupees.

We're not well-off ourselves.

You haven't any children, have you?

No, or you'd see them.

I'm an old man with a pack of dependents.

I can ask Biswas if he can spare you any rice.

He is head of our village.

Will I have to pay for the rice?

Of course.

I've brought no money.

Then what can be done?

There's nothing I can do about it.

My time has come; I must starve.

We have problems, too, you know?

Thank you, good lady.

How could you let him go empty-handed?

He brought no money; he came to beg. He's a sly fellow.

Please call him back.

I can't go finding rice for him now.

Try tomorrow. He can stay the night.

Do call him back.

Rice gets more and more expensive every day.

Do you know the real reason why rice is so dear?

The Japanese have taken Burma.

- And Singapore? - That they already had.

Now they have Burma, too.

Remember the coarse rice we used to get from Burma?

It's nor coming any more.

What's more, the authorities...

...are taking away the rice we have.

Where to?

The army. An army fights on its stomach, you know?

It doesn't matter...

...if useless fellows like me starve.

Of course, you have work to do.

The school, your holy office...

Yes, I'm very busy.

What can I do at my age? And I've so many dependents.

You are the only Brahmin in this village, aren't you?

The one and only.

You have foresight, all right.

My work is very exhausting.

Why the stare?

I'm trying to see if it's true.

I think it is.

They husk rice Chhutki's place.

They pay one measure of rice for every nine husked.

What of it?

Can't I do it?

Not now; if the things get much worse.

You are a Brahmin, how can you work in a low-caste house?

Does it matter?

What do you know about husking?

It's not hard. I can learn.

When the bean rises, push the grain under;

When the bean falls, put your hand back.

Easy, eh? Show me your hands.

You know how theses people esteem us?

We mustn't lower ourselves in their eyes.

Don't worry.

I'll see about rice.

And if it gets dearer?

How dear can it get, after all?

Once the war's over...

...everything will be all right again.

It can't last much longer.

Even the Battle of Kurukshetra twas over in eighteen days.

God willing, it will end soon.

Yes, but you mustn't take pity on any old fellow...

Get a move on, can't you?

There's some for everybody.

How much is it?

Eighteen rupees. Gone up two rupees in ten days.

I can't even get near.

He paid for his rice!

Mind your own business!

Why are you sitting there?

Kundu's grain shop has been raided.

What dreadful times we live in.

All we've had for three days is rice we gleaned from a field.

It's the youngsters who make all the trouble.

We make do with less, but they refuse.

What's in you baskets? Rice?

They're asking twenty rupees.

What did you pay for the rice?

- What rice? - The rice you brought.

The bag is empty.

What about this?

I worked the pedal, that's all.

If we have to humble ourselves...

...it's better we do it together.

The price of rice continues to soar.

21... 22... 24... 26... 28...

No rice on the market.

Any rice water?

Who are these people, Chhutki?

From another district.

There's no food there, so they've come to beg.

It's frightening. We've had no rice today, either.

What can we do?

Would you like some Shushni leaves?

You're eating them?

What else is there?

Have you no rice?

My old man sold ours when the price rose.

Now we eat anything.

Shushni leaves...

...pond snails.

Aren't they for ducks?

How do you cook pond snails?

People like you don't eat such things.

Tell me, anyway.

Make a curry with them.

How can you say such things?

You've seen all the rice I have.

So little won't be much use to us.

We'll starve you don't provide for us.

How can I give more than I have?

You've seen with your own eyes how much there is.

Have you thought what will happen to us?

How is the granary?

We only see what he shows us.

He's given us so little, how can it be empty?

Isn't the July crop almost ready?

Anybody who tries that rice now will get cholera.

It won't be fit to eat till winter dries it out.

You are a Brahmin, sir. I dare not refuse you.

Take five measures; they are the least.

Why are you here?

I'm waiting for you.

Come to the kiln; I'll be there.

Get out of my way!

I'll make it worth your while.

Let me by, or I'll scream.

- Who's that for? - Don't you know?

It's for you.

Then give it to me.

Come with me...

To the ruined house.

No one goes there, no one will know.

I'll give you rice whenever we go there.

How dare you say such things? Out of my way!

If Biswas acts like this, what can we do?

They fell at his feet...

...and yet he maintained he had no rice.

Where has it all gone?

What will happen?

Do you know what's wrong?

The peasants do all the work...

...and we live off them.

That's what's wrong.

If only we had land of our own...

Can't we get rice elsewhere There must be some.

Well, I heard that fourteen miles away...

...in the village of Sankanpore, there's a man who has rice.

His name is Ghosh.

Will you go?

Rice is thirty. All I get is thirteen rupees a month.

How much can I buy?

But we have money

Won't this do?

We'll use it, if you promise not to half-starve yourself.

It's no good for me to eat too much.

I haven't much appetite lately.

Why didn't you tell me?

I'll be all right

If you aren't, I'll give you medicine.

Are you sure there's wild potato here?

It's like tiger jungle!

Don't worry, you'll get some.

The place is full of briars.

I've been caught on them twice.

Who tells you about wild potatoes and pond snails, Chhutki?

Your boy friend?

Where does Mr. Ghosh live?

I won't lie to a Brahmin. I have rice, but it's not for sale.

- You won't sell? - No, sir.

I've turned away ten others this morning.

But I've walked fourteen miles.

I'm sorry, but the rice isn't for sale.

I can pay cash.

I can't eat cash. If I let rice go, What can I buy instead?

Well, I suppose I'll have to go.

You're a Brahmin, sir. Please lunch before you go.

I'll give you rice to cook for yourself.

If you can spare some for me...

...can't you spare a little more for my family?

Sorry, sir. I can only give you enough for lunch.

Bathe first, sir.

We'll catch a fish for you, and give you fresh milk.

Have a good meal before you start back.

My daughter will attend to you.

So many briars.

I'm sorry I came.

You didn't have to come.

I told you we'd give you a share of what we found.

Moping at home isn't much fun.

Won't you rub the fish with salt and turmeric?

I forgot.

You don't cook for yourself, do you?

Not really.

Shall I help?

Let me tell you what to do.

Why don't you eat?

Are you ill?

Is it someone at home?

She thinks only of me.

Never of herself.

Please have your lunch.

When you leave, stop by the bamboos over there.

I'll give you some rice for her.

Come to me if you need rice again. I'll give what I can.

Give me the crow-bar.

I'm caught on the briars again. Go on, I'll catch up.

Flying ships!

I can't see them through the trees.

Let's get away from here.

Bring the potato.

Rest. We'll come back.

Don't tell anybody.

No one ever tells about such things.

Chhutki babbles so.

It's true, I do gossip.

But never about you.

Been for a dip?

What's the matter?

What's happened?

I've brought rice.

32...34...36...38...40...

We beg you to loan us rice for our families.

If you don’t, where shall we go?

There's not a grain of rice in the granary.

See for yourselves.

We've had nothing to eat for two days.

Take half my share, then! We'll starve together.

What do you say, sir?

Here are the keys. Open the granary for them.

We know there's no rice there.

Where is it, then?

You've hidden it.

Hidden my own rice?

I'll go to hell if I lie to you, believe me, I have no rice.

That might have hit me.

- Where is the rice? - I have it.

I'll show you.

Wait here.

I took a lot of trouble to get that, only because of you.

Don't start that again.

I swear it's true.

How did you burn your face?

Not just my face. Look.

It was on the festival of Kali.

A firework exploded in my face.

You lead a charmed life, don't you?

What is it?

What are you doing?

The lamp will burn till it goes out...

...the I'll live in darkness.

Want some rice?

Where did you get it?

Where have you been?

You know.

No, tell me.

At the kiln.

Haven't you a husband?

Such hunger drives everything else out of my mind.

That scarfaced man has been after me since he arrived.

You Know you will have to pay for this.

Do you want rice?

You eat it, I won't touch it.

Starve then!

Robbers!

It's all over now.

Have they got everything?

Did they find the sacks we hid?

No, father, they're all there!

The birds call and twitter... and you're still in bed.

I can't live here any more.

They nearly killed me...

...for a little rice.

Please examine my father.

I see you've been hit on the head.

Robbers tried to finЎsh me off.

Don't shout!

- How is he? - Too much phlegm.

Please put me back on my feet quickly.

I must get away!

I escaped this time, but they'll get me tomorrow.

How can I cure you quickly?

You can do it if you want to. I'll pay.

Ten measures of rice.

Shall I get them?

Not now, it's too dangerous. After dark.

Food scarcity... Countrywide distress...Famine....

Somebody's fallen by the roadside.

At the foot of the banyan; it's a woman you know.

Moti! What a state you're in.

Come to the house. It's not far.

Don't touch me; you will have to bathe.

Can't you get up?

I've no strength.

You came all that way?

There's nobody left at home.

How long without food?

I'll bring something.

Rice, fish curry...

I'll get you some food.

Where's the cart?

I'll be back soon.

Don't be long.

Here's food and water.

Fish curry...

Nobody has seen fish for months.

Here's arum root.

Arum root.

Eat it. I'll be back soon.

You are a good woman.

Give me your blessing. May I never go hungry, even in hell.

- Where are you going? - To the city.

Why?

To eat.

Untouchable, even in death.

Jackals will come...

I must do something...

I must do something about cremating her.

You don't mind, do you?

Come here.

I think it's that old fellow.

And his dependents.

I think they're coming this way.

What shall we do?

Well, we'll be ten instead of two.

Eleven.

Over five million died of starvation and epidemics in Bengal...

...in what has come to be know as...

...the man-made famine of 1943.