"Feelings unspoken are unforgettable."
Every single one of Andrei Tarkovsky's films are contenders for my favorite film of all-time. Every single one of them. However, this is the one that speaks to me the most strongly, the most personally. It reminds me of my father, who passed away only a short two years ago. It reminds me of my home, which I love and miss so dearly. It reminds me of my past, my childhood. There is so much going on in Nostalghia, so much to take in, that to some, it may come off as perplexing.
To those people I say, "I understand," because indeed it is a very complicated, even mystifying film. Therefore, instead of going on and on about how much I love the film, I am going to provide a number of brief theories as to what I believe this film is about.
Keep in mind that this is only one man's word, and as Tarkovsky would say, "poetry is untranslatable, like the whole of art."
Things to keep in mind while watching Nostalghia...
- Materialism has had a strong influence on modern society, and it's important to separate yourself from this influence as much as possible, in order to stay in touch with your true self.
- People are constantly transforming in ways both good and bad; one of the most miraculous transformations that a human being can experience (or even observe) is that from daughter to mother.
- There is no need for our world to be so divided, so broken up. We must come together as one and be kind to all souls who dwell on this Earth.
- It can be very difficult to leave your home, and your family, but the world is a gorgeous place - a place worth exploring.
- There is great beauty, even in darkness.
- Stay faithful to those you love; resist temptation.
- Love even those who (attempt to) betray you.
- The creation of life is a miracle worthy of pondering, worthy of deeply appreciating.
- Human beings can learn great things from their memories. One should not stray away from these thoughts, but rather, use these thoughts to better themselves.
- People can be cruel; they always have been. That will most likely never change.
- Bring light into the world. It is your responsibility.
- Learn to accept the person you have been, the person you are, and the person you are becoming, or you will be met with great melancholy.
- While the world is beginning to end, it is not yet beyond repair.
- A child's innocence is not only precious, but divine.
- There are many paths that one can take through life, and it is up to each living spirit to decide which path is best for them to take.
- Death is not the end of life.
This is one of the few films that I can safely say has made me a warmer and more caring person. To those of you who haven't seen Nostalghia, it comes highly recommended from me; to those of you who have seen it but remain unsure about the film, trust me, it gets better with each and every viewing.
I'll leave it at that for now. Remember:
"One drop plus one drop makes a bigger drop, not two."
Every single one of Andrei Tarkovsky's films are contenders for my favorite film of all-time. Every single one of them. However, this is the one that speaks to me the most strongly, the most personally. It reminds me of my father, who passed away only a short two years ago. It reminds me of my home, which I love and miss so dearly. It reminds me of my past, my childhood. There is so much going on in Nostalghia, so much to take in, that to some, it may come off as perplexing.
To those people I say, "I understand," because indeed it is a very complicated, even mystifying film. Therefore, instead of going on and on about how much I love the film, I am going to provide a number of brief theories as to what I believe this film is about.
Keep in mind that this is only one man's word, and as Tarkovsky would say, "poetry is untranslatable, like the whole of art."
Things to keep in mind while watching Nostalghia...
- Materialism has had a strong influence on modern society, and it's important to separate yourself from this influence as much as possible, in order to stay in touch with your true self.
- People are constantly transforming in ways both good and bad; one of the most miraculous transformations that a human being can experience (or even observe) is that from daughter to mother.
- There is no need for our world to be so divided, so broken up. We must come together as one and be kind to all souls who dwell on this Earth.
- It can be very difficult to leave your home, and your family, but the world is a gorgeous place - a place worth exploring.
- There is great beauty, even in darkness.
- Stay faithful to those you love; resist temptation.
- Love even those who (attempt to) betray you.
- The creation of life is a miracle worthy of pondering, worthy of deeply appreciating.
- Human beings can learn great things from their memories. One should not stray away from these thoughts, but rather, use these thoughts to better themselves.
- People can be cruel; they always have been. That will most likely never change.
- Bring light into the world. It is your responsibility.
- Learn to accept the person you have been, the person you are, and the person you are becoming, or you will be met with great melancholy.
- While the world is beginning to end, it is not yet beyond repair.
- A child's innocence is not only precious, but divine.
- There are many paths that one can take through life, and it is up to each living spirit to decide which path is best for them to take.
- Death is not the end of life.
This is one of the few films that I can safely say has made me a warmer and more caring person. To those of you who haven't seen Nostalghia, it comes highly recommended from me; to those of you who have seen it but remain unsure about the film, trust me, it gets better with each and every viewing.
I'll leave it at that for now. Remember:
"One drop plus one drop makes a bigger drop, not two."