MIRROR (1975) by Andrei Tarkovsky

"Regardless of its dense intellectual and autobiographical content, however, Mirror can still be appreciated as an attempt to capture the human soul and to show that, for all our diverse individual experiences, we still have much in common on an emotional and spiritual level." - David Parkinson (Empire)

"The smallest details (a stammering child, the wrinkle in the turned page of a book) stick like burrs, and we are left to wonder if any director has delved with more modesty and honesty into the heartbreak of the past." - Anthony Lane (The New Yorker)

"While there is barely a story to tie it all together, The Mirror finds connections in the longings of Alexei. He longs to understand his past, his land, his family, his inspirations and fears, and that’s what the movie is able to convey in its abstract but persuasive way." - Mark Chalon Smith (Los Angeles Times)

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"If you look for meaning, you'll miss everything that happens." - Andrei Tarkovsky

[Steve]

I just... I don't even know where to begin with MIRROR. To say this film is like a beautiful, meandering fever dream exploration of one person's psyche is a serious understatement. Or at least I think that's what's going on.

I'll likely add some insightful thoughts closer to the event once I've given MIRROR a rewatch and reflected on the experience, but holy moly, is my brain scrambled right now. One thing I can accurately attest to is that in regards to our (Human) Nature theme, MIRROR is more interested in the Human side of things, compared with EVIL DOES NOT EXIST and IN A VIOLENT NATURE tending towards the Nature aspect, although there are glimpses of both in the film.

I spoke with GFS co-organizer Peter briefly about my experience with MIRROR at our last discussion. Although I'm stumped on what I watched and what to make of it at this time, I know there's plenty to say about MIRROR. I'm really looking forward to our discussion on this one and hearing all of your experiences/interpretations.

I'm posting this event a little earlier than normal, as I think MIRROR deserves to be watched at least twice to deduce what it means for you. No pressure of course, just my recommendation. I'll post video essays in the comments closer to the discussion date that will hopefully elaborate on how we can understand what's considered not only Tarkovsky's magnum opus, but also one of the greatest films ever made.

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Join us Sunday, January 25 at 10am at the Red Brick Cafe for our final discussion of (Human) Nature month.

You can stream MIRROR on the Criterion Channel (w/ subscription), or Plex for free. You can also watch it for free here: https://fsharetv.cc/movie/the-mirror-episode-1-tt0072443

Happy watching...? 🪞