the quai Branly museum shines its spotlight on a cinema like no other

The anecdote is intended to be as educational as it is humorous. To a question about the lack of realism in Indian cinema, a Bollywood director replies that reality is so harsh in Gandhi’s country that producing a realistic film would be like making a documentary. So, it’s time for song and dance, a profusion of colors and epic fights where the victim collapses half a second before receiving the blow. There are also scenarios that fit on a sheet of cigarette paper: a couple of lovers must overcome the opposition of their parents, generally a touchy father who refuses to allow his daughter to marry a man from a lower caste. And, of course, the happy ending: love always triumphs, and in song. This is all (a bit) cliché. Indian cinema is more varied, more complex. And the exhibition demonstrates it.

Once upon a time in Bollywood

Until January 14, 2024, the Musée du Quai Branly is shining the spotlight on Indian cinema. Titled Bollywood Superstarsthis exhibition aims to tell the story of one of the most abundant cinemas in the world. With more than 2,000 films per year, India is today the leading cinema producer in the world. Uninterested in foreign films, Indians turned to their own history and mythology to make their cinema. Before arriving in Paris, the exhibition Bollywood Superstars: history of Indian cinema was presented at the Louvre Abu Dhabi from January 25 to June 4, 2023 as part of the partnership between the Louvre Abu Dhabi, France Muséums and the musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac.

“To retrace this century of history, the exhibition brings together works of art, historical objects and projections on a large screen through an immersive scenography”, note the exhibition curators. At the beginning, there was Rāma, the prince, and his wife Sîtâ, kidnapped by the demon Rāvana. Helped by the monkey Hanuman, Rāma defeats his adversaries… As in many countries, cinema will contribute to writing a national story, to forging an identity. “In the context of national construction and Indian independence, the gods and great monarchs inspired the first blockbusters capable of uniting a vast audience, beyond the regional and linguistic divisions of the subcontinent.”

The exhibition is a magical journey in paintings, photos, figurines, costumes and – of course – videos. A flamboyant exhibition, like Bollywood. And around the exhibition, concerts, shows, visits, workshops, DJ sets, dance classes… And every Sunday, free of charge, the museum garden offers a journey to India in dance and music.