BK: Andrei Tarkovsky - Interviews, Edited by John Gianvito University of Mississippi Press VG+
Cond: VG+
Notes: Interviews from the later part of legendary Russian Filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky's life.
Poetic Harmony of Andrei Tarkovsky
“Q: Some folks have questioned the intertwining in your work, especially in The Sacrifice, between Christian motifs, for example the recitation of the
"Our Father," and ideas more archaic, more pagan, such as the character of Varia, the "good witch." This leads to a certain confusion ... Are you or are you not a Christian filmmaker?
T: I believe that it's truly not important to know if I subscribe to certain beliefs, whether pagan, Catholic, Orthodox, or simply Christian. the important thing is the work itself. It seems to me better to judge the work from a general perspective, and not to be searching for contradictions which some wish to see in my work. A work of art isn't always a mirror reflection of the inner world of the artist, particularly when it comes to the smallest of details. While it's true, there exists a certain logical connection . . it's possible for there to be an opposition to the personal beliefs of the artist. Also, when I directed this film, I was convinced it had to address itself to all types of audiences....
When I was very young I asked my father, "Does God exist-yes or no?" And he answered me brilliantly: "For the unbeliever, no, for the believer, yes!" This problem is very important.
I want to say in relation to this that it's possible to interpret the film in different ways. For instance, those who are interested in various supernatural phenomena will search for the meaning of the film in the relationship between the postman and the witch, for them these two characters will provide the principal action. Believers are going to respond most sensitively to Alexander's prayer to God, and for them the whole film will develop around this. And finally a third category of viewers who don't believe in anything will imagine that Alexander is a bit sick, that he's psychologically unbalanced as a result of war and fear. Consequently many kinds of viewers will perceive the film in their own way. My opinion is that its necessary to afford the spectator the freedom to interpret the film according to their own inner vision of the world, and not from the point of view that I would impose upon him. For my aim is to show life, to render an image, the tragic, dramatic image of the soul of modern man. In conclusion, can you imagine such a film being directed by a non-believer? I can't.”
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