The first film by Tarr that I´ve seen a couple of years ago was Werckmeister Harmonies, and it was unlike anything I had experienced to that point. The hospital sequence as well as the encounter with the whale seemed absolutely magical to me, and I re-watched them many times. I didn´t like Damnation a lot the first time I saw it, but I later appreciated it as well. And seeing his epic masterpiece Sátántangó while I was in Venezuela had a profound impact on me, it´s definitely a life-changing film that teaches one to watch things differently. I don´t think that he achieved the same mastery with The Man from London, and I´m still disappointed that he canceled his trip to Latin America for the premiere of that film. I also read that he is now working on a new film called The Turin Horse, I´m looking forward to see that one.
I liked Man from london eventhoug ive read that Tarr complaint about working on his most expensive film to date…and cant wait to see the Nietzsche inspired tale…the turin Horse…will see
Like both you, and apursansar I’ve seen his three masterpieces… and they’re beyond words. Satantango is mesmerizing. What other word can be used? It’s a film that completely envelops you. I remember after seeing it the first time it stayed with me for weeks. I’d close my eyes and see people from behind walking in the windy street in black & white. I couldn’t get over it. Damnation, and Werckmeister Harmonies were similar experiences.
Prologue is also a very interesting short. Without words he says a whole lot in that short, and Macbeth is as close to the feel of watching a play I’ve ever seen.
I saw Family Nest not that long ago, and it was a bit of a disappointment. It was a sub-par family drama, and the characters weren’t drawn well enough to hold any interest for me.
The opening sequence of Werckmeister Harmonies has to be one of the most brilliant in the history of cinema.
You could say that about Satantango, and Damnation, also. If the man only knows one thing it’s how to open a fucking movie.
Can’t wait to see it… The Turin Horse
What is the deal with the dubbing in Werckmeister Harmonies? It’s really off and I can’t tell if it’s intentional or a bad dvd transfer.
Which edition of Werkmeister do you have? I have the Artificial Eye version and didn’t notice anything too odd, though it’s been a while since I watched it. It could just be that they recorded the sound separately, a la most Italian movies. I usually get used to that pretty quickly.
I think it’s Facets and no, this isn’t italian style dubbing, it looks like actor is speaking another language.
Mikel Guillen
Damnation was my firts Béla Tarr film…then came Satantango, i was so inspired and inmerse in this film for months. Then came, Werckmeister Harmonies and i knew that Béla was a genius…after seeing all his films just confirmed it….what’s your take on him?