Since his untimely death in 1986, Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky has developed a cult following among devotees who revere his films for their haunting, poetic qualities (while others--more numerous, perhaps--find them pretentious and stodgy). His admirers will certainly embrace Voyage in Time, a combination travelogue/confessional dating from the time of his sojourn (or exile) in Italy in 1982, when he was collaborating with screenwriter Tonino Guerra on the script for his penultimate picture, Nostalghia (which is briefly glimpsed here). The two men visit sites being considered as locations for their proposed project, conversing about film and life between trips, offering opportunities for the long, static landscape shots, often shrouded in fog, that Tarkovsky's fans swoon over, while also presenting the director's own aesthetic observations. While the transfer is adequate, it must be remembered that this is more home movie than slick product; and though the subtitling is reasonably good, there are some amusing lapses, as when Tarkovsky, talking about directors whom he admires, is made to speak of “Antonioni's adventures” when he's actually referring to the Italian filmmaker's masterpiece L'Avventura. A must-see for Tarkovsky enthusiasts, this is optional for others. (F. Swietek)
Voyage in Time
Facets, 63 min., in Italian & Russian w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95 Volume 20, Issue 1
Voyage in Time
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