Review of Nostalgia (1983) by Andy M — 20 Feb 2009

A film that explores 1+1=1 (written on Domenico's wall) through its imagery and ideas. Past (the black and white images of the lead character's homeland and family) and present (his journeys in italy) blend, characters intertwine and as Domenico says, "two drops make a bigger one" the imagery of mist and water pervade and the water drops in the soundtrack continually assert this theme.

Even the buildings blend with water, either the rain coming through Domenico's roof or the river that flows through an abandoned house or the hot springs in the village. St. Catherine's pool, too also reveals this overarching theme of spiritual unity (She attempted to unify the Eastern and Western branches of the catholic church).

And the discussion about translation near the beginning of the film when Gorchakov comments that only once states are broken down can there ever be any understanding between people. Of course these states literally mean countries but also ultimately consciousness.

The great unity he seeks arrives in death and the final scene is utopian, nostalgic and essentially melancholic. All of which makes for a beautiful film in a lot of ways.