"Rishyasringa" - Kannada film (1977)

This film has a remarkable resemblance to Mani Kaul's "Duvidha", both in form & content. Both are based on folktales with ghosts & exorcisms & filmed in a subjective style. There is also a preponderance of rich folk music. However, Director V. R. K. Prasad avoids the drawbacks of "Duvidha", (mentioned by Satyajit Ray in his book). The cast perform their roles with normal dramatic acting, (avoiding the non-acting imposed by Mani Kaul & his mentor Robert Bresson) & colour & costumes have been used for reasons other than merely cosmetic.

The opening sequence of a group of villages witnessing a man possessed, is reminiscent of the opening shots of Antonioni's "Zabriskie Point" in the use of the continuously panning camera to catch the fleeting expressions on the faces of the people. The girl's dream sequence is  brilliantly conceived & filmed, the visuals & music being paired well. Balappa's triumphant entry into the village captures the 'feel' of the village very effectively. It is well contrasted later of his being rejected & spat at by the same villagers.

The first 'fight' between Balappa & Gowda is a good example of ellipsis. From a shot of Balappa grasping the collar of Gowda & Gowda calmly snuffing out his beedi, there is a straight cut to the injured Balappa lying prostrate with his clothes torn & blood smeared.

Mention must be made about the evocative folksongs & background music, using only folk instruments (by B. V. Karanth). Shots of Balappa tossing the necklace & the girl catching it are poorly synchronised. The lighting in some supposedly continuous sequences changes abruptly, jarring the viewer.

Not withstanding these shortcomings, this film remains a landmark in Kannada cinema as it may be considered to be the first 'personal' film in the language, in the tradition of the European masters.