Days and Nights in the Forest was suggested by our members Dennis Leachman and Hammad Khan. Hammad writes: ‘This is an absolute classic from Satyajit Ray, featuring regular Ray muse Soumitra Chatterjee and iconic Indian star Sharmila Tagore. I first saw it on Channel 4 in the ’90s as part of a Ray season and it inspired me so much. This film strikes a perfect balance between Chekhovian comedy and some real deep-sigh melancholic vibes. It doesn’t get as much love as the Apu trilogy or some of the other big titles in the Ray canon, but given how accessible, enjoyable and downright tender this film is, I’m surprised how little it has actually screened in the UK. It’s as if Satyajit Ray time travelled into the future, did some shots with mid-90s era Richard Linklater, and then returned to shoot his next film.’

Satyajit Ray’s underseen masterpiece returns to the big screen in a beautiful new restoration, spearheaded by Wes Anderson, and Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation.

Four Calcutta city boys – the confident Ashim, intellectual Sanjoy, heartbroken athlete Hari and group joker Shekhar – drive out to the Palamau Forests, hoping to cut loose with cheap alcohol and what they expect will be provincial girls. However, they soon find their biases challenged and their egos rocked by the women they encounter. In one of cinema’s greatest summer tales, Ray playfully undercuts the arrogance of young men, the caste system and various prejudices dividing traditional Indian society. His graceful, often profound, drama showcases his directorial dexterity through his nuanced portraits of human behaviour and the intricate inner worlds of his characters. Witty, reflective, romantic and hugely enjoyable, Days and Nights in the Forest is a magical, wondrous cinematic journey.

Please note, there will be a free members' screening on Thursday 16 July (booking for this will open on Thursday 9 July at 18:00), while the one on Monday 30 July is a regular public screening, open to the general public.