Italian
Béla Tarr honoured at the Tokyo International Film Festival
Celebrating a visionary director
The Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced that Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr will be the recipient of their prestigious lifetime achievement award at the upcoming 37th edition of the festival. This honour recognizes Tarr’s profound impact on the world of cinema, celebrated for his unique and transformative storytelling.
A cinematic legacy
Béla Tarr’s career is dotted with monumental achievements that have brought him international acclaim. His 1994 epic “Satantango”, which runs for a staggering 438 minutes, is often cited as a masterpiece of modern cinema. This film earned Tarr numerous accolades, including an award at Berlinale. His subsequent work in 2000, “Werckmeister Harmonies”, further established his position, being showcased in the Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes. Tarr’s film “The Turin Horse” in 2011 was another critical success, bringing home the Silver Bear Jury Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Prize at Berlinale.
Shifting focus towards education
After announcing his retirement from feature filmmaking following “The Turin Horse”, Tarr turned his attention to nurturing the next generation of filmmakers. He founded the film.factory school in Sarajevo in 2012, a pivotal institution which continues to influence and inspire young creatives. Tarr has also conducted numerous workshops globally, sharing his invaluable experience and unique perspective on filmmaking.
Special events at TIFF
During the 37th TIFF, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Tarr’s recent work, including short films produced during a workshop he led in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. In addition to these screenings, the festival will host a special talk event featuring Tarr, providing deeper insights into his life and career. This much-anticipated event will culminate in the presentation of the lifetime achievement award to Tarr on November 1st, honouring his enduring contributions to cinema.
Recognizing ongoing contributions
This award at TIFF is not the first recognition of Tarr’s enduring legacy. In 2023, he received the Honorary Award of the Academy President and Board at the European Film Awards. A year earlier, the Cairo Film Festival also bestowed a lifetime achievement award upon him. These honours reflect his significant influence and continuing relevance in the film industry.
Enduring impact and future promises
TIFF programming director Ichiyama Shozo highlighted the significance of Tarr’s work by reminiscing about the 1995 screening of “Satantango” at TIFF. The film’s seven-and-a-half-hour runtime and non-traditional narrative structure captivated audiences, marking a historic moment in the festival’s history. Shozo emphasizes that, following his landmark film “The Turin Horse” in 2011, Tarr’s decision to retire shocked the cinema world. However, his foundational work with film.factory and the countless workshops he has conducted continue to shape the future of cinema, cementing his legacy as both a filmmaker and educator.
Join the celebration
The 37th Tokyo International Film Festival is set to run from October 28 to November 6 in the Hibiya-Yurakucho-Marunouchi-Ginza area of Tokyo. This festival presents a unique opportunity to celebrate Béla Tarr’s extraordinary career, witnessing both his past achievements and his ongoing contributions to the art of filmmaking.
Share your thoughts on Béla Tarr’s incredible legacy on social media and stay tuned for more festival updates. Your engagement helps keep the spirit of remarkable storytelling alive!
