The film season focuses on the portrayal of women in the films of Guru Dutt. The two day event will feature the screenings of: Pyaasa (1957), Kaagaz ke Phool (1959), and Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam (1962). Pyaasa was Guru Dutt's real masterpiece. It tells of the thirst for love, recognition, and spiritual fulfilment. Kaagaz ke Phool was a dismal failure at the box office and a dejected Guru Dutt never directed a film again. But for all its flaws, like any Guru Dutt film, the highs far outweigh the lows. Technically the film is perhaps his best film. Lyrical and poetic, it represents some of the finest work that Guru Dutt has ever done. Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam bears his unmistakable stamp. The film won the President's Silver Medal as well as the Film of the year award from the Bengal Film Journalists Association besides going to the Berlin Film Festival and being India's official entry for the Oscars.

Guru Dutt's personal life was a shambles. He had separated from his wife allegedly due to his involvement with his leading actress Waheeda Rehman and on Oct. 10, 1964 he took an overdose of sleeping pills and committed suicide though doubts still linger as to whether his death was accidental.

All Screenings are Free

Birkbeck College, 43 Gordon Square London WC1H 0PD

Pyaasa

Saturday 15 March, 3:00 p.m.

(India 1957)

Runtime: 146 minutes

Language: Hindi, English subtitles

Director: Guru Dutt; Cast: Mala Sinha, Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Rehman, Johnny Walker

Unemployed Vijay’s passion for poetry is frowned upon by his brothers who want him to find gainful employment instead. Vijay's poems are quite radical and his efforts to get them published are in vain. He takes to drinking, gets in trouble with the law and disowned by his brothers. He befriends a prostitute named Gulabo, who is sympathetic him as he pours his heart out, and decides to assist Vijay. Gulabo approaches some of her affluent clientele to assist Vijay and try and get his work published, without revealing that they are written by an alcoholic, dishevelled, homeless man.

Kaagaz Ke Phool

Friday 14 March

Reception 5 p.m., 6 p.m. Screening

(India 1959)

Runtime: 148 minutes

Language: Hindi, English subtitles

Director: Guru Dutt; Cast: Waheeda Rehman, Guru Dutt, Kumari Naaz, Johnny Walker, Mahesh Kaul

Narrated in flashback, it is the rise and fall of a famous filmmaker, Suresh. Though an enormous success professionally, he has a failed marriage and a daughter, Pammi, who is in boarding school. The turning point in his life comes when he makes a film about Devdas with an unknown girl, Shanti cast as Parvati. Both are a runaway success and rumours about Shanti and Suresh’s friendship become public. Pammi comes back to appeal to Shanti to stay out of her fathers life and allow her parents marriage another chance. Moved by Pammi’s plea, Shanti throws it all out to go and teach in a village school. Shanti’s departure drives Suresh to alcohol and a downhill slide in his career. Eventually, he gets a chance to make a comeback film - only if it stars Shanti.

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam

Saturday 15 March, 10:30 a.m.

(India 1962)

Runtime: 152 minutes

Language: Hindi, English subtitles

Director: Abrar Alvi; Cast: Meena Kumari, Guru Dutt, Rehman, Waheeda Rehman

A young man named Bhoot Nath is hired as a servant to a very wealthy zamindar. The zamindar is married to a beautiful woman, but every night frequents brothels and dancing ladies. Bhoot Nath finds out that his wife is a very lonely woman, and they both come close, and soon form a platonic relationship. This enables Bhoot Nath to see the life of his mistress through her perspective, and the life she is doomed to live.