This grand documentary, chronicling the making of "The Sacrifice" and featuring various interviews with Tarkovsky and his wife, should be seen by anyone who is interested in the minds behind great films. The focus is not so much on Tarkovsky's work, but on the man himself, his ideas and personality, and it is guaranteed to increase your respect for him. In one interview, he makes the somewhat self-deprecating remark that he experiences the world "as children and animals do" and does not consider himself like "other men who think and draw conclusions." I don't doubt the first part of that statement, but it is clear from listening to him that he was an incredibly analytic thinker and *especially* good at drawing conclusions. What struck me throughout the film was how articulate Tarkovsky is: no matter the situation, he expresses himself so exactly that his ideas seem to be fully formed before he ever speaks. That gift for expression is why every frame in a Tarkovsky movie is perfectly conceived and executed: there was never any confusion over what he was creating (and it is clear from the on-set footage that his exactness rubbed off on everyone around him). Even when lying in his hospital bed, he meticulously describes how he wants the color of a scene to look in the final cut: nothing could weaken his commitment. Watching this will not only increase your appreciation for Tarkovsky, but also for the art of film-making. 10/10.
