Tarkovsky’s cinema explored amid changing visual landscape

Dhaka, September 30: The life, works and cinematic legacy of renowned Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky came under discussion at a special programme organised by the Russian House in Dhaka in cooperation with Dhaka New Cinema on Monday.

Titled “A Friend in Dire Times: Exploring the Cinema of Andrei Tarkovsky,” the programme examined Tarkovsky’s distinctive approach to filmmaking and his enduring influence on world cinema.

The discussion focused on some of the central elements of Tarkovsky’s cinematic language, including time, memory, sound, silence, space and the meaning of images.

Speakers and participants also explored the relevance of Tarkovsky’s ideas in today’s rapidly changing visual environment, where artificial intelligence, virtual imagery and short-form video content are increasingly shaping how audiences experience images and stories.

The programme invited participants to look beyond cinema as a form of entertainment and consider film as a medium capable of reflection, memory and deeper engagement with the human experience.

Through discussions and a screening programme, participants reflected on Tarkovsky’s filmmaking philosophy and his distinctive use of cinematic space, sound and imagery.

The event also provided an opportunity to consider the future of cinema in an increasingly digital and virtual world, particularly at a time when technological developments are transforming both filmmaking and audience engagement.

Tarkovsky, widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in the history of cinema, is known for films such as Andrei Rublev, Solaris, Mirror and Stalker, which have continued to inspire filmmakers and cinephiles around the world.

The Dhaka programme concluded with a broader reflection on the continuing role of cinema as an artistic medium for contemplation, memory and understanding human existence.