Andrei Tarkovsky Companion (UK)

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The Andrei Tarkovsky Companion
Review added by
Alan Titherington

Three documentaries celebrating the acclaimed Russian director`s work
Certificate: U
Running Time: 205 mins
Retail Price: £24.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Musical Recording

Synopsis:
Andrei Tarkovsky is unquestionably
one of the greatest filmmakers that
Russia, and indeed the world, has ever
seen. Although he made just seven
feature films - among them `Andrei Rub-
lev`, `Solaris` and `The Sacrifice` - before
his life was cut tragically short by cancer
at the age of 54, each is an artistic mas-
ter piece and a major landmark of world
cinema. This exceptional body of work,
characterised by metaphysical and spirit-
ual explorations of the human condition
and images of extraordinary beauty, is celebrated in this DVD with films by acclaimed directors Alexander Sokurov and Chris Marker, and by Tarkovsky himself.

Special Features:
MOSCOW ELEGY (Alexander Sokurov)
- Conceived to mark the 50th anniversary of Tarkovsky`s birth, this is a highly personal tribute
by Alexander Sokurov - the acclaimed director of `Russian Ark` and `Mother and Son` - to the
man who was both his mentor and friend. Reflecting upon Tarkovsky`s life, his far-reaching in-
fluence and the void left by his defection from Soviet Russia to Europe in 1982, this elegiac film
features fascinating footage of the man at work and rest, and, of course, his films.
Russia 1987/ 88 mins/ Russian & Italian with English subtitles

ONE DAY IN THE LIFE OF ANDREI ARSENEVITCH (Chris Marker)
- This appreciation of Tarkovsky made by his friend Chris Marker for the French television
series `Cinema du Notre Temps` is both an illuminating personal portrait and a poetic study of
the Russian master`s films. Granted access to the set of `The Sacrifice` Marker captured fasci-
nating and insightful behind-the-scenes footage, including the editing process which the then
gravely ill Tarkovsky conducted from his sickbed.
France 1999/ 55 mins/ Colour/ French, English, Italian & Russian with English subtitles

TEMPO DI VIAGGIO (Time of a Journey) (Andrei Tarkovsky & Tonino Guerra)
- Tarkovsky`s documentary explores the creation of the screenplay for his penultimate film
`Nostalgia`. It shows his wide-ranging discussions with his Italian co-writer Tonino Guerra
(Antonioni`s regular collaborator) and the hunt for suitable locations that might embody his
vision of the film. Italy 1983/ 62 mins/ Colour/ Italian & Russian with English subtitles