Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Directing

Adoor Gopalakrishnan

Born July 3, 1941 · Adoor, Travancore, India (age 85)

Adoor Gopalakrishnan is an Indian film director, script writer, and producer. Regarded as one of the most notable filmmakers of India, Gopalakrishnan played a major role in revolutionising Malayalam cinema during the 1970s and 80s. His first film, Swayamvaram (1972), pioneered the new wave cinema movement in Kerala. One of the most celebrated directors in the history of Indian cinema, he has won 1…

Known For

GangaGanga · 1985
Ganga
7.01985
MovieDocumentary
The second entry in Velu Viswanadhan's series of experimental documentaries. This film traces the Ganges river upstream.
Man of the StoryMan of the Story · 1995
Man of the Story
6.51995
MovieDrama
This intimately-constructed drama traces the consequences of the tumultuous political and social changes that swept through India in the years since pre-Independence 1937.
ElippathayamElippathayam · 1982
Elippathayam
7.31982
MovieDrama
Unni is the last male heir of a decaying feudal family in rural Kerala. His inability to accept the socio-economic changes of a new society causes him to gradually withdraw into isolation and paranoia.
A Happy EndA Happy End · 2019
A Happy End
2019
MovieDrama
Sukhantyam reflects upon isolation and loneliness experienced by people of all groups, and the emotional fragility that prompts them to contemplate suicide.
Shadow KillShadow Kill · 2002
Shadow Kill
6.92002
MovieCrimeDrama
A hangman questions the moral implications of his job after learning that he executed an innocent man.
AnantaramAnantaram · 1987
Anantaram
8.11987
MovieDrama
A young man narrates two conflicting accounts of his life, changing the details and incidents in both, as he slowly approaches madness.
KrishnanattamKrishnanattam · 1982
Krishnanattam
10.01982
MovieDocumentary
Krishnattam or Krishnanattam (Play of Krishna) is a temple ritualistic art performed at Guruvayur Temple (Guruvayur 680101, Trishshur District, Kerala) by a troupe owned by Guruvayur Devasvam. The performance of Krishnattam is based on Krishnagiti, a poetic text in Sanskrit containing verses and stanzas, written by the Zamorin King Manavedan in 1654. The story of Krishna, described in Bhagavata, Mahabharata and Harivamsha is presented in Krishnattam as songs, dance and acting in a sequence of eight plays (Avataram, Kaliyamardanam, Rasakrida, Kamsavadham, Svayamvaram, Banayuddham, Vividavadham and Svayamvaram) in eight days.
PadayaatraPadayaatra
Padayaatra
MovieDrama

Filmography

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The Chola HeritageThe Chola Heritage · 1980
The Chola Heritage
8.01980
MovieDocumentary
The film highlighting the Dravidian temple architecture and bronze sculpture which attained the creative pinnacle during the rule of the Cholas in the 10th and the 11th centuries. Cholas were great temple builders. The temple of Vijayalaya Cholesvara is one of the finest examples of the early Chola style. The temple of Nagesvara at Kumbakonam is remarkable for the sculptures found in the niches of its outer walls. The Brihadesvara temple at Thanjavur is a landmark in the evolution of building art in India.Among several such unique temples, Tribhuvanam is the last important temple belonging to the Cholas. Besides temple architecture,the bronze sculpture of the Cholas holds a unique place in the field of art. One of the most important and famous of all Hindu icons,that of the cosmic dance of the Nataraja is intimately associated with the Chola bronzes.

Script

Face to FaceFace to Face · 1984
Face to Face
7.01984
MovieDrama
The film starts in the early 1950s showing Sreedharan, the protagonist, as a very popular communist leader and trade union activist. He is forced to go underground after his name was associated with the murder of the owner of a tile factory. He is considered to be dead by his party and they even erect a memorial for him. But he makes an unexpected comeback almost 10 years later, after the first communist ministry gained and lost power in Kerala and after the Communist Party of India has split. On his return, he spends his time sleeping and drinking. His come back is first a puzzle and then an embarrassment to his comrades and family. As the disappointment on his new face grows, he is found murdered. The film ends when both the communist parties jointly celebrate his martyrdom.

Director