A brilliant film that helped define a genre

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Theodoros Angelopoulos took a Golden Palm at Cannes for this film by unanimous vote. Of course, it was also a big winner at the Thessaloniki Film Festival, winning several wards, including one for Helene Gerasimidou, who played Urania.The cinematography was extremely beautiful, but it was Eleni Karaindrou's and Mikis Theodorakis' music that ready made this a pleasurable experience. Of course, Angelopoulos is criticized by some for leaving his political film-making now that the dictatorship is over and creating a body of pretty-looking, but increasingly empty and self-indulgent work. Sometimes, self-indulgence is good.As Alexandre (Bruno Ganz) faces his last day, we are taken to the past and see his now dead wife Anna (Isabelle Renauld) as she lived. He visits relatives, but he is increasingly disappointed that life hasn't really worked out the way he wanted.H rescues a little boy from kidnappers who are selling children to rich Greeks. He tries to help the boy, but he is again frustrated. Finally, he takes the boy and joins him on a trip to his native Albania.It is only through our connection to others that we truly experience life and all it's magic.

What a beautiful film. Dreamlike, poetic, wise; also sober, down-to-earth.Delivers home-truths too: connecting with another human being gives one hope. Connections are possible across age, country, culture gaps. The images are gorgeous, the slowness fits. You have to sit on your impatience now and then. But thats entirely worth it.Also, I loved listening to the Greek language. But that is because I love Greece.It is a film that reminds me of Antonioni's L'Avventura and La Notte; they bring you into a trance where you can tell the beauty of this universe.

A film straight from my dreams, drifting in and out of logical existence into the land of the dead. The story, as much as there is a story, involves an aging poet (played by European film staple Bruno Ganz) who has a terminal disease. He is apparently destined to die tomorrow, and we spend his final day following him, from his waking to midnight. Early in the morning he picks up a young homeless boy, an Albanian refugee, who tries to wash his window at a stoplight. Together they go on silent adventures. At regular intervals the film flashes back to Ganz's interactions with his beautiful wife, who never appears in the present, nor do we find out where she is. Most of the film's power is visual and aural. It is truly a sensual experience, along the lines of a Tarkovsky film. Because of its sensual prominence and lack of a coherent plot, it will surely fade from the surface of my memory. However, it is guaranteed to haunt me for the rest of my life. 10/10.

Amazing photo, excellent actors, excellent music, summarizing with a calm, easy view a whole era in history of Balkans happenings, one of the most crucial areas of Europe and world affecting. Documentary like, conveying the spirit and truthness of an ever wondering person, seeking the eternal truth. Near and Far simultaneously from the events, a reference film for those wishing to contribute in such subjects.