Writers: Andrei Tarkovskiy, Tonino Guerra
Language: Russina & Italian
The Russian poet Gortachakov, accompanied by the translator Eugene, is travelling through Italy researching the life of an 18th century Russian composer. In a Tuscani town he meets a lunatic Domenico, who years earlier had imprisoned his family for seven years to save them from the evils of the world. He gets drawn to the lunatic while Eugene is drawn to him. In between through a series of dreams we see his nostalgia for his homeland and longing for his wife.
As is with Trakovsky films, its very slowly paced and we pieces together the story very gradually. Beethoven's 9th symphony is used prominently along with works from Verdi and Wagner. The last scene of the films when the poet tries to move across the spa pond with a candle is taken in a single shot.
This is the second last film from Tarkovsky and first one made outside Soviet Union. The Soviet authorities prevented the film from winning Palme d'Or and Tarkovsky vowed to never make a film in Soviet Union.
Rating: 4/5
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