Refocus: the Films of Andrei Tarkovsky

Reassesses the work of the influential Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky Sheds new light on Tarkovsky's biography in connection to his films Assesses the director's contributions to film theory and aesthetics by close analysis of his films and writings Offers highly original interpretations of Tarkovsky's oeuvre in the context of film aesthetics, psychoanalysis, philosophy, cultural studies and art history Traces the influence of Tarkovsky's legacy on contemporary filmmakers Despite an output of only 7 feature films in 20 years, Andrei Tarkovsky has had a profound influence on international cinema. Famous for their spiritual depth and incredible visual beauty, his films have gained cult status among cineastes and are often included in ranking polls and charts dedicated to the 'best movies ever made.' Beginning with the late 1980s, Tarkovsky's highly complex cinema has continuously attracted scholarly attention by generating countless hermeneutic challenges and possibilities for film critics. This book provides a fresh look at the director's legacy, with critical essays by both world-famous and early-career film scholars. It examines Tarkovsky's cinematic techniques and his treatment of genre, landscape and sound and offers highly original interpretations of his oeuvre in the context of film aesthetics, psychoanalysis, philosophy, cultural studies and art history.