The River

Jean Renoir's intoxicating first colour feature shot entirely on location in India is a lyrical adaptation of Rumer Godden's autobiographical coming-of-age tale of an adolescent girl living with her English family on the banks of West Bengal during the waning years of British colonial life. Exquisitely shot in luminous Technicolor by Renior's nephew Claude, The River is a visual tour de force and a glorious, meditative tribute to the sights and sounds of Indian culture. Perhaps, Renoir's most symbolic and spiritual film, displaying great humanity and refreshing simplicity. The River received tremendous international acclaim and remains one of his most popular films. (British Film Institute (BFI))