Tarkovsky [Hardcover]

Nathan Dunne (Editor), Jean-Paul Sartre (Contributor), Marc Forster (Contributor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1906155046 | ISBN-13: 978-1906155049 | Publication Date: March 25, 2008

Tarkovsky provides a collection of accessible academic essays by leading film studies professionals. A challenging, broadly illustrated book that fully captures the essence of this cinematic pioneer.

Andrei Tarkovsky is the most influential Soviet filmmaker of the post-war era, and one of the world's most renowned cinematic geniuses. He created spiritual, existential films of incredible beauty, repeatedly returning to themes of memory, dreams, childhood and Christianity. His films, such as Solaris, Mirror, Nostalghia and The Sacrifice make use of long, unedited shots and wide angles in uncompromisingly formalistic statements that are as striking today as they were when they were first made.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'An impeccably erudite tome.' -- The Times- London

'Beautifully designed, annotated and written...with illuminating contributions...and some quite stunning pieces of re-evaluation by academic film theorists...this is a seminal text.' -- The List

'Beautifully illustrated anthology...these essays offer acute and profound insights into Tarkovsky's world.' -- Sight & Sound, Book of the Month

About the Author

Nathan Dunne studied art history at Cambridge University. He writes on contemporary art and film.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 463 pages
• Publisher: Black Dog Publishing (March 25, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1906155046
• ISBN-13: 978-1906155049
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,234,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Immortal Tarkovsky, November 16, 2008

By 

R. J MOSS (Alice Springs, Australia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tarkovsky (Hardcover)

This is a must have for the Tarkovskyphile. Splendid, decent-sized stills from the films, most not seen before, a selection of his dad's nostalgic poetry, and plenty of recollections from collaborators, followers, admirers, and analysts for mental fodder. It's big, bold and timely. It, of course assumes an experience of the films themselves. But if you have that, and they live inside you, this book is a welcome guest. Chapter headings;Russia and religion, Art and Nature, Music and Modernity, Memory and Awakening, are a foretaste of themes developed and the respondents are equal to the challenges without recourse to bewildering high-art jargon. I have often wondered how to articulate the drop-off in, Sacrifice' and found resonance in the pros and cons argued respectively by Bhaskar Sarkar's essay,'Thredony for Modernity' and James Quandt's,comparative piece on Bresson and Tarkovsky.Highly recommended.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Huge Book! Huge Talent!, April 18, 2008

By 

C. Cervenka "Read Films" (CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tarkovsky (Hardcover)

I own several books on this unique Russian filmmaker, but was not prepared for the sheer size and content of this one. The book arrived in a box so big that I assumed had several books in. Though I have only started to scan through it, the photographs are amazing and the text is the kind one who seriously enjoys films can read. Not over done with "social content" or metaphor interpretations, but rather focuses on the real skill of making each film. Choice of camera work, writing, etc.

I look forward to getting through this book. Though is going to take some time!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Book on Tarkovsky, September 10, 2008

By 

Pavel Shapko "Heyday" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tarkovsky (Hardcover)

I was very excited to receive this book in the post the other day. It has a whole heap of large and beautiful images from Tarkovksy's movies. And it is also beautifully designed which makes the text easy to read. I have only read a couple of pieces so far (its a huge book) but the memoir section is amazing. The piece from the guy who worked on Stalker says a lot of interesting things - what a difficult production process and what a film! I own a number of books on Tarkovsky and I think this is by the far the most comprehensive and detailed. It goes deeper than the others and explores new territory, such as the other directors and artists that Tarkovsky is connected to. Some of the pieces deal with philosophy but they aren't hard going. I think this is the perfect book for someone who has seen one of Tarkovsky's movies and wants to get a sense of what they mean. Its not a short introduction thats for sure but I think its totally unique. Excellent and beautiful tome.