Thursday, April 7, 2011

God-given Talent

Andrei Rublev (1966) - Tarkovsky




Andrei Rublev works on two fronts. It works as an expansive Russian historical epic and it works as a contemplation on the god-given talent. Spanning three plus hours in 7 episodes, Rublev plays out like a good thick Russian novel. The famous monk is both the subject and spectator coming in and out of focus.

From the balloon ride that opens the film to Rublev standing dazed in the pillaged church with the snow falling to color part at the end, Rublev is a visually stunning film.

It's the young bell caster part at the end that really packs the punch. The reckless young man challenges himself in a grand scale. This spectacle tickles now old and reclusive Rublev who has given up painting. You don't acquire talent. You either have it or don't. If you do, you will be the subject of envy and jealousy and might pay dearly for it. But it's your duty not to waste it.