Andrei Tarkovsky: Film as Icon - An Interview With Andrei Tarkovsky Jr
In a comprehensive interview, Jay Dyer engages with Andrei Tarkovsky Jr. to delve into the artistic legacy of his father, celebrated filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. They discuss how Tarkovsky's background as a poet informed his cinematic style and themes, emphasizing the quest for truth, spirituality, and the influence of censorship he faced in Soviet Russia. Tarkovsky Jr. reflects on his father's belief in art as a selfless act, the importance of contemplation in engaging with films, and the prophetic nature of his works amidst broader cultural concerns. The conversation highlights the significance of myth, nature, and emotional connections in Tarkovsky's films, advocating for a deeper appreciation of art in today's fast-paced world.
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- Andrei Tarkovsky Jr.: Discusses the poetic language of Tarkovsky and censorship issues“he was criticized for being too poetic, too religious, too spiritual...the book was destroyed.”
via Arseny Tarkovsky- Andrei Tarkovsky Jr.: His father's films are a search for truth and meaning, akin to poetry.“Art was... searching for God, searching for answers”
- Andrei Tarkovsky Jr.: Tarkovsky believed art and philosophy are intertwined.“he believed that art is just another form of knowledge”
- Jay Dyer: Tarkovsky believed humanity lacks the moral readiness for certain discoveries in science.“I think that the idea is that man is not ready morally from his moral point of view”
- Jay Dyer: Tarkovsky read and studied mythology extensively.“he likes the myths, actually. He read a lot of, uh, mythology”
- Andrei Tarkovsky Jr.: His father's films portray an anti-war sentiment and intimacy with suffering.“the war is, is a catastrophe for who, who begins it, and who, who participates in the war, there are no winners in the war.”
Subjects
13Jay Dyer discusses Tarkovsky's perspective on art and philosophy, noting the tension between his self-identification as an artist and the philosophical content present in his work.
Tarkovsky Jr. discusses the influence of his grandfather, the poet Arsenie Tarkovsky, on his father's understanding of art and poetry.
Tarkovsky's films demand a contemplative viewing experience, contrasting sharply with modern fast-paced media consumption.
The interview discusses the efforts to restore 'Andrei Rublev', highlighting its historical censorship and the artistic vision behind it.
Jay notes the impact of censorship on Tarkovsky's filmmaking process as discussed by Tarkovsky Jr.
Jay mentions that Tarkovsky was greatly influenced by Dostoyevsky, considering him a vital connection in his work.
Jay highlights that Tarkovsky Jr. discusses his father's interest in mythology from a scientific perspective.
Jay references Tarkovsky's film 'Nostalgia' while discussing the nature of translation in art, particularly regarding poetry and film.
Jay discusses the contrast between Western rationalism and Eastern Orthodox traditions, highlighting the mystical elements that permeate Tarkovsky's work.
The discussion touches on how Tarkovsky's work is connected to the Russian Silver Age of culture and philosophical thought, shaping his artistic vision.
Jay references Tarkovsky's use of science fiction to navigate censorship in Soviet cinema as discussed by Tarkovsky Jr.
Jay reflects on the theme of service in Tarkovsky's philosophy, connecting it to broader religious contexts.