Tarkovsky: Films, Stills, Polaroids & Writings

Hardback

Main Details

Title Tarkovsky: Films, Stills, Polaroids & Writings
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Andrei A. Tarkovsky
By (author) Hans-Joachim Schlegel
By (author) Lothar Schirmer
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:320
Dimensions(mm): Height 305,Width 245
Category/GenreIndividual film directors and film-makers
ISBN/Barcode 9780500516645
ClassificationsDewey:791.430233092
Audience
General
Illustrations With 350 illustrations in colour and black and white

Publishing Details

Publisher Thames & Hudson Ltd
Imprint Thames & Hudson Ltd
Publication Date 19 November 2012
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

Andrey Tarkovsky was the most important Russian filmmaker of the post-war era, and one of the world's most renowned cinematic geniuses. He directed the first five of his seven films - Ivan's Childhood, Andrei Rublev, Solaris, Mirror and Stalker - in the Soviet Union, but in 1982 defected to Italy, where he made Nostalgia. His final film, The Sacrifice, was produced in Sweden in 1985. Tarkovsky's films are characterized by metaphysical themes, extended takes, an absence of conventional dramatical structure and plot, and a dream-like, visionary style of cinematography. They achieve a spiritual intensity and transcendent beauty that many consider to be without parallel. This book presents extended sequences of stills from each of the films alongside synopses and cast and crew listings. It includes reflections on Tarkovsky's work from fellow artists and writers including Jean-Paul Sartre and Ingmar Bergman, for whom Tarkovsky was 'the greatest, the one who invented a new language.' Extracts from Tarkovsky's own writings and diaries offer a wealth of insights into his poetic and philosophical views on cinematography, which he described as 'sculpting in time'. The book also reproduces many personal Polaroid photographs that confirm the extraordinary poetic vision of a great artist who died aged only 54, but who remains a potent influence on artists and filmmakers today.

Author Biography

Andrey A. Tarkovsky is the son of filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. Hans-Joachim Schlegel is a film historian and the editor and translator of the writings of Sergei Eisenstein and Andrei Tarkovsky.

Reviews

'Proves that even a single frame from the great man's films conveys great beauty and profundity ... reproduces stunning images from his seven films' - Sight and Sound