Search - Alexander Sokurov: Moscow Elegy - Andrei Tarkovsky on DVD

The Tarkovsky Elegy

F. Ramon | Mexico | 07/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The documentary genre does not necessarily mean "objectiveness" or "accuracy", it can also explore a chunk of reality, carving it with the acute eye of the artist, that renders a production full of spirituality.



This is the approach of Alexander Sokurov; this work does not intend to be a biographical documentary to be shown broadly on TV. As an "Elegy" (Mournful poem or song lamenting a dead person) it is a look into the feelings of the author and his own sorrow concerning a friend and a master's death.



Sokurov uses excerpts form "Voyage in Time" and "Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky (The Sacrifice)" and extremely significant parts from "The Mirror", "Nostalghia" and "The Sacrifice". Through this and the use of some shots from Russia, and specially of places where Tarkovsky and his family lived, Sokurov captures the nostalgic feeling of Tarkovsky as he left the Soviet Union to continue with the difficult task of delivering serious films to the world.



This is a tribute from one great filmmaker to another. Sokurov captures the feeling of the loss of a friend and a genius and expresses it through images, photos, and excerpts of Tarkovsky's life and films. This is accompanied by sacred and classical music (Bach during his funeral in France).



If such an approach to documentaries appeals to you, you will enjoy this work. "Spiritual Voices" is also to be reccomended as a poethic approach to the documentary genre."

Sentimental and unenlightening

R. T. Greene | San Francisco, CA USA | 12/08/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Excerpts from Chris Marker's footage of T. directing the filming of the Sacrifice is the main reason to watch this. As an "elegy" I find this unsuccessful: moody shots of various holy Tarkovsky sites in winter, uninhabited, while music swells. Almost no intentions here at all beyond display of "feeling" about Tarkovskys tragic life that comes off as pretentious. That the director be treated as a self-evident saint is what its about. A wonderful documentary to seek out instead would be Andrei Tarkovsky's: Voyage in Time shot in Italy around the making of Nostalghia; that one I would watch over and over."