After its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, the new 4K restoration of Satyajit Ray’s 1970 masterpiece Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest) made its North American debut at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 7, 2025.
The restoration was presented by Margaret Bodde, Executive Director of The Film Foundation; Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of the Film Heritage Foundation; and Amanda Brason, Manager of TIFF Cinematheque. Their remarks underscored the film’s lasting significance and the importance of preservation in keeping world cinema classics alive for new generations.
Presentation of the newly restored 4K version of Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri at TIFF 50, with representatives from The Film Foundation, Film Heritage Foundation, and TIFF Cinematheque. Photos courtesy of Film Heritage Foundation.
Aranyer Din Ratri is among Ray’s most celebrated works, a story about four young men from Calcutta whose weekend escape to the forest becomes a profound reflection on class, desire, and human connection. The restoration, completed by The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project at L’Immagine Ritrovata in collaboration with Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films, and The Criterion Collection, was made possible with funding from the Golden Globe Foundation.
Presentation of the newly restored 4K version of Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri at TIFF 50, with representatives from The Film Foundation, Film Heritage Foundation, and TIFF Cinematheque. Photos courtesy of Film Heritage Foundation.
Special thanks were extended to filmmaker Wes Anderson and Ray’s son, Sandip Ray, for their invaluable support. The project drew upon the original camera and sound negatives preserved by producer Purnima Dutta, ensuring the restoration remained faithful to Ray’s vision.
With this screening at TIFF 50, one of the world’s premier showcases of international cinema, Aranyer Din Ratri reaffirms its place in the canon of world film history. The Golden Globe Foundation is proud to help safeguard this cultural treasure, underscoring its ongoing commitment to film heritage and preservation worldwide.
Film Heritage Foundation Preserving India’s Cinematic Heritage
