Review of Satantango (1994) by Simon D — 12 Feb 2011
A bleak, but brilliant apocalyptic satire on political ethos of post-Communist Hungary. Brimming with long takes (reminiscent of Tarkovosky), and beautiful, yet haunting, imagery (here Bergman comes to mind), Bela Tarr has created a brutally honest film concerning the circularity of life, history's satanic tango (progression and retrogression), and the emptiness of hope. In it a little Hungarian town becomes a dark microcosm of the world, a concrete universal, where revolution, hope, and change are simply a part of the demonic logic of history's dance.
On a personal note, I must admit that I am more of an optimist myself, but it's difficult to find fault in Tarr's artistic achievement, which is rightly dubbed a watershed moment of modern cinema.
This review of Satantango (1994) was written by Simon D on 12 Feb 2011.
Satantango has generally received very positive reviews.
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