Tarkovsky: Sculpting In Time: Reflections On The Cinema

Description:
Andrey Tarkovsky, the genius of modern Russian cinema - hailed by Ingmar Bergman as 'the most important director of our time' - died an exile in Paris in December 1986. In 'Sculpting in Time', he has left his artistic testament, a remarkable revelation of both his life and work. Since 'Ivan's Childhood' won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1962, the visionary quality and totally original and haunting imagery of Tarkovsky's films have captivated serious movie audiences all over the world, who see in his work a continuation of the great literary traditions of nineteenth-century Russia.Many critics have tried to interpret his intensely personal vision, but he himself always remained inaccessible. In 'Sculpting in Time', Tarkovsky sets down his thoughts and his memories, revealing for the first time the original inspirations for his extraordinary films - 'Ivan's Childhood', 'Andrey Rublyov', 'Solaris', 'The Mirror', 'Stalker', 'Nostalgia' and 'The Sacrifice'. He discusses their history and his methods of work, he explores the many problems of visual creativity, and he sets forth the deeply autobiographical content of part of his oeuvre - most fascinatingly in 'The Mirror' and 'Nostalgia'. The closing chapter on 'The Sacrifice', dictated in the last weeks of Tarkovsky's life, makes the book essential reading for those who already know or who are just discovering his magnificent work.

Review:
'If Sculpting in Time could be distilled to a single message, it would be this: Content and conscience must come before technique - for any artist in any art form.' Los Angeles Times Book Review

Table of Contents:
Introduction I: The beginning II: Art - a yeaming for the ideal III: Imprinted time IV: Cinema's destined role V: The film image: Time, rhythm and editing; Scenario and shooting script; The film's graphic realisation; The film actor; Music and noisesVI: The author in search of an audience VII: The artist's responsibility VIII: After Nostalgia IX: The Sacrifice Conclusion Notes