Cosmic truths elude the common man as a small Hungarian community lurches toward unrest and revolution seemingly brought on by the arrival of a circus featuring a prince and a dead whale. Tarr's shots always linger a bit longer than one feels like they should, but the effect is intoxicating, creating a kind of poetry of the commonplace, often bordering on surrealism. Bears comparison to Tarkovsky.
Unfortunately, this film was a misfire for me. I went into it having recently seen and loved Tarr's Damnation and Almanac of Fall and was expecting something similar. It contains powerful moments undeniably, but they don't connect. It felt like a confused allegory that was bloated to the point that its parts deformed each other.
I saw it on dvd about 10 years ago and like you, was expecting "something"... and hated it. Didn't even finish it. I saw it in a theater last night and was overwhelmed by it. I agree that the moments don't connect and it's bloated but I believe that's intentional. Janosh/the professor are trying to make sense of things and to see beauty (a la the whale/harmonies) yet it all crumbles...
A sublime experience, a statement of our endless folly and the importance of those who can make us aware of our mistakes.
This film contains the single most startling and profound moment I have ever seen in any film. The discovery of the old man in the bathroom, has there even been (forgive my hyperbole) a more perfect and devastating metaphor for human existence?
profundidad de campo + steadicam + ballena en un pueblo húngaro + masas enfurecidas = secuencias de alta tensión dentro de un marco deprimente, desolador
Watching this film was like walking into a dream - wish Tarr would get the support he deserves.
I wanted to write on your Wall a few days ago - can you please help me to find The Turin horse? I´m dying to see it. Thank you. :)
Dear god and holy shit this film was cinematic enlightenment. The final shots are some of the most puzzling and haunting images I've ever seen on film...
" We don't know, for a total eclipse has come upon us... But... but no need to fear. It's not over. For across the sun's glowing sphere, slowly, the Moon swims away. And the sun once again bursts forth, and to the Earth slowly there comes again light, and warmth again floods the Earth. Deep emotion pierces everyone. They have escaped the weight of darkness."
Quite honestly the greatest film this side of the millenium. Its metaphysical questions and allegorical nature raise some profound and forgotten questions of Hungary's dark past and its style both encapsulates and deviates away from the Hungarian cinematic tradition. Beautiful.
Incredible. Every time I watch this film I love it more and more. Astonishing on every level (and the haunting score by Mihaly Vig deserves special mention).
Sometimes you're just not on the same wavelength of a film. That's the case with me for this film. Hopefully, mubians can help me out with this one.
This is good and all, but I think "serious fans of cinema" underestimate the sometimes absurd campy-ness of this film.
