The Coward

Satyajit Ray explores the agony of unrequited desire and lost love in an emotionally layered chamber drama that is both affecting and uniquely ephemeral because of its short duration. A little firework of memory and emotion.

Synopsis

A writer travels to a small village for the purpose of his new screenplay. When his car breaks down, a tea farmer offers to put him up in his house for one night. There, much to his surprise, he meets the farmer's wife, with whom he had an affair many years ago. Their unexpected meeting keeps him awake at night and his thoughts travel back to the day of their separation, rekindling his desire to be with her again.