Béla Tarr, a Hungarian filmmaker known around the world as a master of slow cinema and one of the most original voices in modern film, has died at the age of 70 after a long and serious illness. The European Film Academy confirmed that he had died and praised him as a great director with a strong political voice and a large following around the world.
Tarr was born on July 21, 1955, in Pécs, Hungary. He first appeared in the late 1970s with raw, socially grounded dramas. Later, he became a visionary stylist known for his long takes and stark black-and-white images. His movies often showed dark, post-apocalyptic worlds and the daily problems of regular people. This made him a key figure in European arthouse cinema.
Tarr’s international breakthrough came with the seven-and-a-half-hour epic “Sátántangó” (1994), which is now widely considered one of the best movies ever made. It is a huge look at a rural community that is falling apart. He solidified his reputation with films like “Damnation” (1988), “Werckmeister Harmonies” (2000), and “The Turin Horse” (2011), which won the Berlin Silver Bear. These films are known for their long, immersive shots and simple plots.
Tarr said he was done making feature films after “The Turin Horse.” He said he had said everything he needed to say in movies. Later, he moved to Sarajevo, where he started the international film school film.factory. There, he taught new generations of directors while still speaking out for human rights and social justice through his public statements and collaborations.
