Béla Tarr's relentless pursuit of cinematic perfection was an ideal I aspired to emulate in my own filmmaking journey. Having first met him at the Nexus conference in Amsterdam, where we shared our views on the state of the world and the arts, I felt an intense connection with his unyielding spirit, which I saw as a manifestation of his artistic vision. Despite being weakened by illness, Tarr's presence was still palpable, exuding a sense of rebellion and fury that resonated deeply with me.
Our conversation served as a masterclass in cinematic perfectionism, with Tarr pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible on screen. His dedication to filming life itself, with all its complexities and nuances, left an indelible mark on my perception of film-making. The 10-minute takes, unified spaces, characters, and time – these were revolutionary concepts that I knew would shape my own approach to storytelling.
Tarr's collaboration was key to his success, drawing upon a closely-knit group of trusted collaborators who shared his passion for the craft. The work required an unwavering attention to detail, a love of physical film over digital alternatives, and a profound connection to human experience – all qualities that Tarr embodied with unyielding intensity.
However, this path was not without its challenges. The production of "The Man from London" was fraught with difficulties, primarily due to structural discrepancies between funding and scope. Tarr's refusal to compromise on his artistic vision led him down a difficult road, marked by periods of uncertainty and self-doubt. This was starkly illustrated in the tragic case of French producer Humbert Balsan, who succumbed to despair during the film's production.
Despite these challenges, Tarr remained steadfast in his pursuit of perfection. In 2004, he asked me to assist with a short film project about Hungary entering the EU, which would become "Prologue." This was an opportunity for me to witness firsthand Tarr's mastery of filmmaking, as we navigated the complex task of capturing the lives of 300 homeless people in Budapest.
The experience left an indelible mark on my own artistic journey. It instilled in me a rebellious attitude and a willingness to question conventions in cinema. Tarr's world was one that refused to be easily departed from, and I knew that I had to find a way to pay homage to his legacy while forging my own path.
In the end, it was not an easy transition for me, as I bid farewell to Tarr's orbit. Yet, I took with me the flames of rebellion, the burning desire to question the codes and conventions that govern our medium. Béla Tarr's work will forever be a benchmark for my own artistic endeavors – a testament to his unwavering dedication to perfectionism, creativity, and an unyielding passion for life itself.
Our conversation served as a masterclass in cinematic perfectionism, with Tarr pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible on screen. His dedication to filming life itself, with all its complexities and nuances, left an indelible mark on my perception of film-making. The 10-minute takes, unified spaces, characters, and time – these were revolutionary concepts that I knew would shape my own approach to storytelling.
Tarr's collaboration was key to his success, drawing upon a closely-knit group of trusted collaborators who shared his passion for the craft. The work required an unwavering attention to detail, a love of physical film over digital alternatives, and a profound connection to human experience – all qualities that Tarr embodied with unyielding intensity.
However, this path was not without its challenges. The production of "The Man from London" was fraught with difficulties, primarily due to structural discrepancies between funding and scope. Tarr's refusal to compromise on his artistic vision led him down a difficult road, marked by periods of uncertainty and self-doubt. This was starkly illustrated in the tragic case of French producer Humbert Balsan, who succumbed to despair during the film's production.
Despite these challenges, Tarr remained steadfast in his pursuit of perfection. In 2004, he asked me to assist with a short film project about Hungary entering the EU, which would become "Prologue." This was an opportunity for me to witness firsthand Tarr's mastery of filmmaking, as we navigated the complex task of capturing the lives of 300 homeless people in Budapest.
The experience left an indelible mark on my own artistic journey. It instilled in me a rebellious attitude and a willingness to question conventions in cinema. Tarr's world was one that refused to be easily departed from, and I knew that I had to find a way to pay homage to his legacy while forging my own path.
In the end, it was not an easy transition for me, as I bid farewell to Tarr's orbit. Yet, I took with me the flames of rebellion, the burning desire to question the codes and conventions that govern our medium. Béla Tarr's work will forever be a benchmark for my own artistic endeavors – a testament to his unwavering dedication to perfectionism, creativity, and an unyielding passion for life itself.
I'm still in awe of Béla Tarr's cinematic prowess. His 10-minute takes were like nothing I'd ever seen before 
. The way he captured the complexities of human experience was truly groundbreaking. But what really gets me is how his perfectionism sometimes led to personal struggles 
. The fact that he didn't compromise on his artistic vision, even when it meant facing difficulties, is admirable but also heartbreaking.
. His ability to weave stories that are both deeply personal and universally relatable is a testament to his skill as a filmmaker. The way he worked with collaborators to create something truly special is a lesson in the power of community and shared vision.
. It's an experience that I'll always treasure, and it's had a lasting impact on my own approach to filmmaking. Tarr may be gone, but his legacy lives on through the countless artists he's inspired 
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Oh man, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this news about Béla Tarr... like, the guy was a total boss when it came to filmmaking perfectionism 
! But seriously, have you seen his 10-minute takes? What's up with that?! 
It sounds like he was all about capturing life in its entirety, flaws and all. I can get on board with that... but what if the director just got a little too into it and drove their collaborators crazy? 
Like, I've had those conversations with my mates over a pint, but maybe not to this extent!
! His dedication to his craft is seriously inspiring. Who needs a fancy film school degree when you've got passion and conviction?! 
. His filmmaking style was so unique and captivating - who can forget those infamous 10-minute takes? 
I loved how he pushed boundaries and defied conventions, creating a cinematic experience that was both brutal and beautiful at the same time.
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. So even though he's no longer with us, his work will live on, and I'm grateful to have been able to experience it firsthand. 
. The dude was like a god to me, you know? His commitment to filmmaking was like nothing I'd ever seen before. 10-minute takes? Unified spaces? It was all just so... bold 
.
. And that's what inspired me to take a different path in my own filmmaking journey. I mean, it wasn't easy, but his passion was infectious 
. What a loss 
. But at the same time, I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of something bigger than myself 
.
i can imagine how intense and challenging working with him must've been, especially when faced with those production issues 
but he never gave up on his art, that takes so much courage. 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, Béla Tarr's films are mind-blowing, but is it really possible to achieve that level of perfection? Isn't it just a myth perpetuated by artists who want to be seen as visionaries? 
The fact that he was willing to take on such massive projects like "The Man from London" and risk everything because of his artistic vision is admirable, I guess 
. Anyway, I'm not saying his dedication wasn't inspiring or anything 
.
I'm also thinking about how much of an impact he had on my own filmmaking journey... Tarr's refusal to compromise on his artistic vision is something that I'll always admire (and maybe even struggle with) 
. And let's not forget "Prologue" - that film was like a masterclass in filmmaking perfectionism for me 
what struck me most though is how he refused to compromise on his vision, even when faced with financial struggles 
or personal setbacks 
His ability to connect with others on a deep level, through his work, is just incredible 
Tarr's influence will be felt for generations to come, and I'm honored to have had a glimpse into his creative process 
. The masterclass he gave me at the Nexus conference in Amsterdam still resonates with me - his pursuit of cinematic perfection is a benchmark for me as a filmmaker 
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. It's clear that Tarr's work required an unwavering attention to detail and a love for physical film - qualities that I'm still trying to master myself 
His collaboration was key to his success, but also made the process more grueling 