MEETING ANDREI TARKOVSKY - TRAILER

[hackum1]

"Death does not exist" are NOT the words of Andrei Tarkovsky, but of his father - the poet Arseny Tarkovsky.

This is a line from a poem that his father wrote and also read in Zerkalo, called Life, Life.

[trakovskyfilm]

@hackum1 Thanks for the note. That poem is actually included in 'Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky' as well.

[TimeAndTheImage]

Thank you for this...I will order a copy!

[holicat098]

Thanks one of the best director of the world!RIP.AT!

[lordoarmando]

what..is...the...name...of...t­he...song...?

[trakovskyfilm]

@lordoarmando Apologies! Thank you much for your persistence with this Armand. The name of the song is Kumushki. It actually begins 'Nostalghia', where Tarkovsky masterfully dissolves it into Verdi's Requiem. I will send you the direct link to the recording that Tarkovsky uses. I just found it myself on Youtube thanks to your question, so thank you!

[lordoarmando]

@trakovskyfilm

Thank you very much, I'll definitely watch your work, and I'm very excited to follow this initiative :)

[lordoarmando]

not to undermine the obvious focal point of the trailer, but does anyone know the song sung in the background?

my screen name could just as well be tarkovskijadherer_666, btw.

[holypaper]

I have to see this. All of his films have touched in such profound ways I've never experienced. I've often thought about Tarkovsky being among us in spirit...as if he was a gift from God. At times, I've wanted to write essays to myself about this but couldn't articulate it...which in many ways goes hand in hand with his style of film making. Truly transcendental.

[trakovskyfilm]

@holypaper I agree completely! I hope you get a chance to see the film soon because it does attempt to explore the profound gift that his cinema was... Let's stay in touch! -dt

[rgs11]

Also, wish he would have made 70 films instead of 7 but of course they're all masterpieces. There's also Boris Gudonov, the play that he directed and some good documentaries. Can't wait to see this one ie Meeting Andrei

[rgs11]

the greatest ever.... very likely he saved my life at least once

[cineasta71]

He will never be forgotten. He will live forever in the minds of whoever saw and more importantly appreciated and understood his films. Mostly film buffs like me. I wish more people would appreciate his massive talent and genius. Sadly, there are other things more important like shooting a "FILM" with a video camera.

[ImUnder18Really]

Is anyone else terrified that the greatest genius cinema has ever known may be forgotten soon? Some of his films are barely in print, or cost ridiculous amounts. Tarkovsky needs to be known. Today I actually showed a few scenes from Mirror to the head tutor of my course and he had never heard of him despite his massive knowledge of film. It goes without saying that he loved it.

[ImUnder18Really]

@ImUnder18Really PS, I forget to add that my course is a film course.

[trakovskyfilm]

@ImUnder18Really Luckily, my experience touring this documentary around has shown me that there are still many Tarkovsky admirers out there... probably every university that I go to has a handful of people who have been deeply moved by his cinema. However, I definitely agree that it's critical to allow audiences to have that initial exposure to Tarkovsky, even if many won't like his films! I am concerned that so many film teachers in academia don't understand how significant Tarkovsky was...

[trakovskyfilm]

@ImUnder18Really as a poet, but also as somebody who redefined altogether the function and potential of the cinematic artform... where do you study, by the way?

[TimeAndTheImage]

@ImUnder18Really I don't think Tarkovsky's work will ever be forgotten...he is a great artist and ahead of its time and like many other artists in the past his work will probably be appreciated in time, when the consciousness of mankind will be less concern with mere entertainment.

[thebuttbat23]

i love the tarkovsky films ive seen, but i need to see more (they are very hard to find)

[killermodels]

WOW I need to see this!

[trakovskyfilm]

@jerryterrasas35 No thank you! Your comment made my day!

[yoco93cro]

Is this movie/documentary finished??

[trakovskyfilm]

@yoco93cro It definitely is! At this point the film is finished and I'm focusing on finding its audience!

[yoco93cro]

@trakovskyfilm well, can I find it somewhere on web so I can download it, I watched STALKER and ANDREI RUBLEV and I really am fan

[brendaclews]

This is so beautiful. I wish you great success with this film, and your Tarkovsy project - to promote his stunning films. Tarkovsky has been my favourite filmmaker since I saw Nostalghia in 1986, and that film remains my all-time favourite. There are no words for the message this great director left in his films. Your trailer indicates that - transcendance, sensitivity, something palpable yet undefinable. Fantastic to see so many awards, too! Brilliant. Kudos.

[trakovskyfilm]

Looking for a Christmas present?

There are still about 90 Limited Edition 'Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky' DVD's left! DVD includes original cover art and signed note from the director... only 300 were made. All revenue will go back into this project, where the ultimate goal is to promote the cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky!

[MMARIAASEA]

@trakovskyfilm ANYONE LEFT?

[trakovskyfilm]

@MMARIAASEA what do you mean by 'anyone left'? I don't get it...

[trakovskyfilm]

Update: I am organizing a tour from New York City to Florida, across to Texas, up to Ohio, and then over to New York City again. It will most likely be the final film tour in the States (I'm eager to begin work on the next film).

[HSBurn]

Is the opening shot in this trailer a documentary clip of Tarkovsky himself or a scene from one of his pieces? If the latter, which?

[trakovskyfilm]

@HSBurn Did I forget to reply to this? If so, sorry! This is footage from Michal Leszczylowski's documentary "Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky"

[cineasta71]

Cant wait to have the proper DVD in my hands!!!

[trakovskyfilm]

I will attend the Toronto International Film Festival in order to publicize this doc. After that, it will screen at the Russian Documentary Film Festival in New York, which will be followed by a cross-country tour from Maryland to Minnesota! Hopefully the tour will bring in enough revenue to finally arrange a proper DVD release!

[morozovatm]

Hi Dmitri,

Is there any chance you can bring it to London?I know at least one venue that would be interested in screening it.

[jkhgsdhgdhgjklsdhfgj]

thank you so much Dimitry.

[trakovskyfilm]

The DVD release has been postponed due to technical problems. I hope to have the finished DVD available by late June!

[trakovskyfilm]

The official DVD release is set for late April! Please check out the "Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky" website and place a pre-order today!

[trakovskyfilm]

A new season of "Meeting Andrei Tarkovsky" screenings will soon be posted to the website!

[CornelisDonovan]

Mr Trakovsky, is there any chance of a screening in sweden or any other scandinavian country?

[trakovskyfilm]

The doc screened at the Goteborg IFF in 2009, but I definitely think that more showings are necessary! I will be in Denmark in May, and hopefully I will have the chance to stop by in Stockholm then too. First of all, I need to find a venue that will screen my film!

[CornelisDonovan]

Thank you, I live in Stockholm. A screening there would be extraordinary.

[Idamsj]

I'm from Denmark and I would love to see the film! Can I get any info about the screening in May?

[EoqueE]

the dvd have spanish subtitules?

[trakovskyfilm]

The screener DVD doesn't, but I will definitely include Spanish subtitles on the 'Official DVD', which is set to come out in April!

[EoqueE]

ok, thank you!

[trakovskyfilm]

The LACMA screening had 300+ people. Four more screenings in LA: Monica 4-Plex, Santa Monica (Feb. 6,7 at 11AM) and Playhouse 7, Pasadena (Feb. 6,7 at 11AM). See you there!

[jef108]

wonderful! any idea when the dvd will be released? and will there be a screening in Europe?

[trakovskyfilm]

Hi! Sorry for taking such a long time to reply. The DVD release is planned for May 2010. I will be touring Europe from May-August... with stops in Denmark, England, and Monaco already planned. Where are you located?

[pelushworld]

Come in Belgium please!! It would be very very great...

[trakovskyfilm]

Thanks! I am actually speaking to some people about where to screen in Belgium... I think it looks promising, actually! Hope to see you next Summer :)

[nafpaktiakos]

Could someone please tell me of the song in this video? (title, and lyrics, if possible)

[trakovskyfilm]

I can't get the lyrics for a few weeks, but the song is called Kumushki and the performer is Elena Frolova. It's an old Russian folk song. I will get you some interesting info on the song soon (Tarkovsky used it in the beginning of Nostalghia)

[trakovskyfilm]

Upcoming screenings:

Sunset 5 Laemmle - Oct. 24 - 11AM, Oct. 25 - 11AM

MoPA, San Diego - Oct. 28 - 7PM

[BabtistaAlfredo]

Man! When you come to Rio de Janeiro city of 2016 Olympic Games?

I know many people in my country very interested to Andrei Tarkovsky!

[trakovskyfilm]

I know! It's amazing how strong a following Tarkovsky has in Brazil. Actually, this film premiered at the Sao Paulo International Film Festival, where it won a Jury Special Mention. So, I already owe a lot to your country! :)

[guigs89]

very interesting.

[faraz1729]

Is there an Atlanta screening?

[trakovskyfilm]

Not yet, but I will definitely try to arrange one during the East Coast tour planned for early 2010. Would you suggest any venues?

[faraz1729]

That would be awesome. The Midtown Art would be a pretty good one.

[kippoe]

Looks Great

[jpastuch]

I feel slightly ashamed for missing this at Lincoln Center last month (actually saw you floating around for a screeing). I'm low on cash and it was either this or seeing Rublev and Stalker for the first time in a theater. You understand, I hope.

When I get some cash I'll have to buy this from you.

[trakovskyfilm]

I definitely understand! I would have done the same. Thank you very much for the kind words. I intend to bring the film back to NYC, so there is no reason to be ashamed. I hope that we float into each other again at that time!

[faraz1729]

What kind of a release date are we looking at for this, Dmitry?

[trakovskyfilm]

The film will continue its festival/theatrical run until November or December. I plan to begin self-distributing DVDs shortly after that, hopefully by the end of the year!

[faraz1729]

Awesome. Thanks.

[trakovskyfilm]

People are interested in it... But it is difficult to find them. Reading your comment again in detail, I think that it follows your suggestions ... Hope you will agree

[mastroiani001]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I wanted to to go see your film but unfortunately had an unbelievably hectic week. I'm referring to Moscow Elegy, Directed by A.T., One day in the Life, Tarkovsky and Parajanov Islands, and one more I saw consisting of 8 parts interviews with a lot of crew members of his films, etc. But, again congratulations on making this journey that you made. I'd like to someday see the film, maybe I will buy the DVD. Thanks

[trakovskyfilm]

Hi mastroiani. Have you seen the film? I hope that once you view it you will find that it portrays a personal cinematic journey inspired by t., and not just a biographic treatment. Which other docs are you refering to by the way? I find that surprisingly few have been made about him...

[mastroiani001]

I hope that that the author was able to express something through this film that is uniquely his and fresh. Otherwise, I am really weary of yet another documentary on Tarkovsky, yet another collection of video clips from his work, clips from archival footage, sound bits and mystical Russian music that will make any visual material better. There have been too many films just recycling the same stuff about the man. Same sentimens, same lamentations...

[mastroiani001]

I'd value more an attempt to create something uniquely yours, inspired by the genius and touched by the soul of Tarkovsky and not another biopic about him... But again, this film is testament to the undying legacy of the master and the simple fact that this film was possible and that people are interested in it is great. I'm sure you went through hell and back to make this film so cudos to you my friend!

[trakovskyfilm]

It's funny that you got that quote from Herzog... As far as I understand, he is the one who lives in suburbia now, and I won't say anything about his pronunciation :)

[trakovskyfilm]

If I'm not mistaking, Tarkovsky and Herzog had some creative tensions when T. was in exile...

[trakovskyfilm]

That's a joke, by the way!

[trakovskyfilm]

That being said, I tried to follow the principles expressed in Sculpting in Time while making this film. Most notably, I am not pretending to achieve an objective appraisal of the director's legacy, ideas and art, but rather following a journey that emerged organically within the story of my own life... an exploration of Tarkovsky's words ("death doesn't exist"), which resonated with me and forced me to make this film.

[minglifoo33]

To talk about cinema, Tarkovskij wrote a book.

But his cinema was works of art, creation, not commentary or documents like this silly thing. It's insulting his art to do such crap on the same medium. Write books if you want to analyze or comment. Or do it like Ken Jacobs, but spare us those "badly pronounced and half finished sentences out of a stupid suburban cheap novel" (Herzog)...

[trakovskyfilm]

Minglifoo, I'm not sure if I understand what you meant in your comment. Why you are against any other Tarkovsky-inspired works in the same medium? Tarkovsky's genius has inspired and energized his art form; its legacy is not a rigid monopoly over film itself, but rather a window into what is possible...

[minglifoo33]

Making a documentary about a movie maker such as Tarkovskij only means you understand nothing about his art. In fact, I believe documentary is an insult to cinema. A documentary is not a "Tarkovsky-inspired work", it's merely a commentary, a comment, words or anything else better suited for paper. The only legacies works of art have are other works of art, not comments or analysis. Tarkovskij has plenty of legacy, but none of it is comment or critics.

[trakovskyfilm]

It seems that you are attached to the words that you use, if you don't mind me pointing out. Tarkovsky himself made a documentary, "Voyage in Time", but I don't think that it was purely a "comment". The lines between documentary and fiction film are lines in the sand. So, I would invite you to watch my documentary, not just its trailer, before concluding that it is "not a work of art", or that I "Understand nothing about his art", or that I am a critic...

[trakovskyfilm]

Many of the other docs made about Tarkovsky are artistically worthy as well, in my opinion... Leszczylowski's film, Marker's... these come to mind. In any case, regardless of what the designated "genre" may be, for me what is important is the authenticity of the author's effort, as well as the respect for the fundamental rules that make cinema cinema (such as film's unique ability to treat time not as a symbol, but as a portrayed reality...) Man I love that Tarkovskian stuff!

[minglifoo33]

Yea, "Tempo di viaggio", everybody loves and remembers that Tarkovskij movie, where his style and poetic reach its peak...

I love Tarkovskij's works, and all it has inspired, but I don't give a dame about what Josephson or Giordano have to SAY about it. Sure, it can be interesting, entertaining, but it'll never create any new cinematographic and aesthetic experience. Neither will repeating in another form "a man lives on through his work and his remembrance"...

[trakovskyfilm]

Maybe when you hear what Josephson and Giordano say, you will be more interested in what they have to SAY.

[trakovskyfilm]

Hey, I just reread your comment. It's pretty arrogant, no extremely presumptuous, to tell somebody that they don't "understand" somebody's art. I think that you might agree that there isn't really that much "understanding" necessary for a film like "Mirror". There's little that a superior mind can take from that movie, if the emotions aren't tuned in when watching it. So, you might not like the trailer to my film, but that doesn't give you the right to spew your pedantic insight... at anybody

[0zmarie99]

the last phrase is better applied to your own comments...

[faraz1729]

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this. I had no idea there was such a film up ahead. Tarkovsky is an eternally fascinating figure in art. Thanks for doing this! Can't wait.

[skandinawia]

this will be excellent! tarkovsky is one of my heroes. thanks a lot for posting this!

[andreiclawhammer]

I want to see this movie, but it will probably never come to my country :(

[trakovskyfilm]

It's funny that you say that, because the film will actually screen in the Underground Film Festival in Arad, Romania later this week! A coincidence to say the least!

[andreiclawhammer]

That is excellent news.From what I could find there is a show on the 22nd and 23rd. Hopefully I will be there.

[cbgb7684]

"each genius makes us sensitive to things we haven't seen before"--wonderful quote.

i cannot wait to see this film.

[totocasa]

Wonderful trailer Dmitry. Ending with his son is inspired. Of course the 'quick' editing is antithetical to his style, but you couldn't really have a 1'28" long take trailer and have said/revealed as much. Or could you?

[mastroiani001]

Let us know when its in NYC. Good trailer

[PaulJohnston21]

great stuff. can't wait to see the full film!

[ErraticDisco]

Dmitry, I'm loving this. Hoping to get the chance to see the film soon, in Manchester, England.

[trakovskyfilm]

Any suggestions as to where it might find a screen in Manchester?

[nafanya]

you rock!

looking forward to see the entire movie!!!))

[zanraf26]

I love the trailer. Can't wait to see the entire film.

[Fremenwarrio66]

This is going to be great. I can't make it to new york so I'm hoping you get a wider release.

[trakovskyfilm]

Me too!  But I am afraid to say that a wide release is... well... very unlikely

[Fremenwarrio66]

Ah...sad. I'll definitely buy the dvd online though.

[momirlan1]

Awesome !

Have you read Elena Dulgheru's book "The Film as Prayer" ? One of the great interpretations of Tarkovsky .

[trakovskyfilm]

No, but I will soon! Thank you for the Buxtehude that you favorited, by the way!

[kida101]

Can't wait to see the full film...Tarkovsky is the greatest director to ever grace the Earth

[truemmerfrau]

i like the background music and i am curious to see the whole film soon. i think it is a good teaser!

[cadscades]

Dmitry!!!

I already saw the movie and i think this trailer its perfect.

You captured the essence of the movie!!

Congratulactions!

Kisses

Carol

[KristinaBigdeli]

"I only remember the future."

What's that from? A line or an diary entry?

I've only seen Tarkovsky's The Mirror, but I'm intrigued...

[sky44david]

Honoring the greatest Film Artist to appear yet on this earth. Meeting the Spirit of Tarkovsky through the experience of this documentation is a "Bright Star" of inspiration for any and all filmmakers now and to come!

[vaibhavabnave]

This is such an interesting curtain raiser. Makes one all the more curious about the film. I gues thats what the job of a good trailer or concise syniposis, that it tells us something really crucial about the entire work but leave us with a yearning, with a desire to see, to experience the work in its totality!!