This was an engrossing read, which is doubly impressive since I've never seen Shame (2011). It's very much on my list now, though! I've also not seen the other two 2011 masterpieces you listed, but there's no better to way to sell a film to me than to compare it to Tarkovsky.
I've been meaning to get to Béla Tarr in particular for a while, and I'm gearing up to watch Sátántangó soon, because I have an intuitive inkling that - similar to how you used Shame in this essay - it's going to be the thing that ties together an essay I'm planning to write.
Anyway, great work! I'm looking forward to seeing what else you write.
I was worried it might alienate people unfamiliar with the film, but I'm glad it didn't! I wouldn't recommend starting Tarr with Satantango, though. In fact, The Turin Horse is maybe the best place to acquaint yourself with him. It will also give you a solid foundation on Tarr's artistic and philosophical framework going in to Satantango. One that doesn't get a lot of attention, but is perhaps his best film is Werckmeister Harmonies. I also like to pair Tarr with the late Greek master Theo Angelopoulos, although his films are hard to come by (It took me years and a lot of money to track down his complete filmography), so I wish you luck with all that.
I'm definitely going to have to check out your substack and I look forward to reading the essay you have in mind.
You know, I'd completely forgotten that Werckmeister Harmonies was a Tarr film, but I actually have seen that one, and I loved it. The scene where he looks at the whale has stayed with me ever since. I do very much want to watch The Turin Horse too, so I might take your advice and go for that one before Satantango.
Strange you should mention Theo Angelopoulos - I have a box set of four of his films, though the only ones I've watched yet are The Travelling Players and Eternity and a Day. Both fantastic films though, and I'm definitely planning on delving further into his work.
And thank you! It probably won't be the next one I post, but it is slowly gestating in the back of my mind.
Excellent writing and insights.
I am now picking each one of your 2011 suggested movies and watching them by one by one.
Have started with Shame and it is indeed quite a unique film.
Thanks for sharing Dan.
Nice! I hope you get something worthwhile out of each of them.
This was an engrossing read, which is doubly impressive since I've never seen Shame (2011). It's very much on my list now, though! I've also not seen the other two 2011 masterpieces you listed, but there's no better to way to sell a film to me than to compare it to Tarkovsky.
I've been meaning to get to Béla Tarr in particular for a while, and I'm gearing up to watch Sátántangó soon, because I have an intuitive inkling that - similar to how you used Shame in this essay - it's going to be the thing that ties together an essay I'm planning to write.
Anyway, great work! I'm looking forward to seeing what else you write.
I was worried it might alienate people unfamiliar with the film, but I'm glad it didn't! I wouldn't recommend starting Tarr with Satantango, though. In fact, The Turin Horse is maybe the best place to acquaint yourself with him. It will also give you a solid foundation on Tarr's artistic and philosophical framework going in to Satantango. One that doesn't get a lot of attention, but is perhaps his best film is Werckmeister Harmonies. I also like to pair Tarr with the late Greek master Theo Angelopoulos, although his films are hard to come by (It took me years and a lot of money to track down his complete filmography), so I wish you luck with all that.
I'm definitely going to have to check out your substack and I look forward to reading the essay you have in mind.
You know, I'd completely forgotten that Werckmeister Harmonies was a Tarr film, but I actually have seen that one, and I loved it. The scene where he looks at the whale has stayed with me ever since. I do very much want to watch The Turin Horse too, so I might take your advice and go for that one before Satantango.
Strange you should mention Theo Angelopoulos - I have a box set of four of his films, though the only ones I've watched yet are The Travelling Players and Eternity and a Day. Both fantastic films though, and I'm definitely planning on delving further into his work.
And thank you! It probably won't be the next one I post, but it is slowly gestating in the back of my mind.
You’re incredibly culturally knowledgable. This was great and I will be adding some of these films into my watchlist haha.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Impressive!
Thank you!
Fantastic analysis.
That means a lot, thank you!