Black Sun

United Kingdom

2005

75 Min

Color

English

Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
1
2
3
4
5

EXEC Alfonso Cuarón, Nick Fraser, Andrew Ruhemann, Frida Torresblanco

SOUND Gary Tarn, Nigel Squibbs

Tribeca (Feature Documentary), Rotterdam (Vita Brevis), Toronto, London, Mar del Plata

Synopsis

Painter Hugues de Montalembert was blinded in an attack in New York City in 1978. Without a shred of self-pity, he relates his extraordinary story of how he adapted his approach to the world after blindness, and continued living and travelling unaided through the world. As he says, ‘vision is a creation … some people use their eyes to avoid obstacles, not to look at the world or to understand something. In fact they are not really interested in looking at all.’ Composer and filmmaker Gary Tarn has created a film that approximates to what it is like to see through Montalembert’s eyes. If you want an affirmative, uplifting and courageous tale that is neither sanctimonious nor saccharine, and leaves you consideriung your own attitude to life, and how little you really make use of all the senses you have, then this is it. —amazon

Director

Gary Tarn

Gary Tarn is a film-maker and musician, born in London, England. Whilst travelling, he became captivated by the music of Indonesia, Africa and India, and studied these, alongside the work of European orchestral composers. A passion for film led to a career as a media composer, and it was a natural progression to consider shooting and editing images of his own. In 2000, against all rational advice, he decided to try to make a film of his own, alone. Using a classic 1970’s 16mm camera he started to shoot his debut feature Black Sun, travelling to the US, Iceland and India; the film was released in 2005, and was nominated for a BAFTA. Tarn’s most recent project is an adaptation of The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran’s classic text, with narration by Thandie Newton. —DOXA Documentary Film Festival

Wall

Displaying 2 wall posts.

see all

Mr. Kaizer

5Apr11

Poetic and beautiful in its interaction of narration and visuals Black Sun is a gem of a film! But I'm afraid that hardly anyone even knows about its existence... I highly recommend this film to the world.

Bitė and Slow Immersion like this

Slow Immersion

5Nov12

One of the greatest metaphysical journeys in film. Stunning piece of art, from a master! The monologue/s alone are so interesting, but matched with Tarn's visuals and sounds, it takes cinema to a level I rarely see.

Jeremy Moss

20May10

A poetic and atmospheric documentary about a filmmaker and visual artist who loses his sight. Wall to wall narration (story telling) from the individual and subject of the film. Wall to wall music. A sea of urban and abstract imagery. 70 glorious minutes. I found it be be very engaging and beautiful (moving and inspiring). This film left such an impression on me - I think of it often.

Bitė and Slow Immersion like this