17/04/2010

2001: Werckmeister harmóniák (Werckmeister Harmonies)

Bela Tarr's somewhat Kafkaesque film about a Hungarian town, long on the quality of the b/w cinematography and the music, and short on cuts, is told in a low number of very deliberately paced scenes of varying quality and should be something for everyone who liked Vozvrashcheniye. Perhaps the right kind of contrast if you need to relax from having watched Clash of the Titans. Although it doesn't feature a kraken, it does have a whale. (7.5)

I knew this film was highly regarded by many critics, but what finally made me watch it was Robin Hanson's pointer; in particular the link to the opening scene, the best long shot in a movie that has no shortage of them:

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