Nostalgia(Nostalghia)

For his first film made outside his homeland, Tarkovsky never could have imagined the stifling sense of longing that engulfs his character would become a painful malady for the rest of his life. The director sees himself in the spiritually wearied Russian poet, who attempts to reconcile his feelings of emotional abandonment, loss of cultural identity and artistic need during his visit to Italy to research the life of a medieval composer. Alienation, loneliness and regrets are tempered by the painterly beautiful compositions under engrossing long takes. The haunting moment of his carrying the candle across the stagnant pool in a trembling journey towards redemption offers the ultimate closure to the lost souls in exile.

Cannes Film Festival: Best Director, FIPRESCI Prize, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury

14/12 (Sat) Speaker: Dr. Derek Lam (Lecturer in Comparative Literature at the University of Hong Kong)