Un poeta nel Cinema: Andreij Tarkovskij (1984) User Reviews

not the best way to approach Tarkovsky

[mjneu59 · 2/10 · 3 November 2010]

The late Andrei Tarkovsky might have been one of the few remaining international directors of any importance, but no one would ever know it from this ill-conceived, over-reverent documentary portrait. Alternating with unidentified clips from his films (in poor quality prints, badly dubbed into Italian and subtitled in English) the ailing Tarkovsky is shown posing awkwardly in a rustic meadow, forced to answer a series of generic and meaningless questions, such as: What is art? What is love? Do you dream in color or black and white? When was the last time you cried? Under the circumstances, his replies can't help sounding tedious and/or embarrassing. The never more than skin deep review of Tarkovsky's career might conceivably appeal to already ardent fans, but newcomers hoping for a worthwhile introduction to an influential filmmaker should take a chance on the films themselves, difficult though they may be.