Existential parable "Desert of Tartari"

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In 1976, the Italian film director Valerio Zurlini, who previously preferred the creation of anti-war, politicized and lyrical films, decided to film the novel by Dino Buzzati. This is how the film "The Desert of Tartari" appeared, exaggerating the theme of finding an individual and all of humanity in a kind of "border situation", that is, almost on the edge of the grave. Six years after the premiere, the cinematographer, who no longer made a single tape, commits suicide. Therefore, the project can be considered prophetic. IMDb adaptation rating: 7.60.

Storyline

In the center of the story of "The Desert of Tartari" the main character Giovanni Drogo (Jacques Perrin), in 1907, after graduating from a military school, is sent to serve in a remote garrison based on the territory of the fortress of Bastiano. The garrison is in constant combat readiness, in anticipation of an attack by superior forces of a formidable enemy - the mythical "Tatars". Days go by, months go by, years go by. Giovanni never leaves the walls of the garrison. And when he, already old andsick, goes home, immediately after his departure, the attack of the enemy begins.

Author's delights

Valerio Zurlini deliberately reduces the mystery and mystery of the story, saturating the already expressive parable of the story with a detailed study of the psychological component of the characters' characters. In some episodes, the plot is perceived as a life, real story, but a palpable sense of fear of something unknown gives the film a metaphorical meaning. Unlike the author of a literary source, the director leaves the viewer a certain hope for a successful outcome. In the novel, the protagonist dies.

According to authoritative figures of art, the film should be taken as an allegory of the earthly existence of a person in anticipation of eternal life. Although other film experts view anti-militarist and anti-totalitarian pathos in the tape.

Acting Ensemble

The film "The Desert of Tartary" is considered one of the most stellar projects in the history of cinema. Even episodic roles in the film are played by famous actors, mostly French and Italian. Jacques Perrin himself was originally inspired by the idea of a film adaptation. The director already had experience of working with a great actor, so he agreed to take part in the creation of the tape. Perrin himself joined the film's production team. However, according to critics, the embodiment of the image of the despotic Major Mattis by actor Giuliano Gemma can be considered the most successful. Also in the movie starred Vittorio Gassman, Fernando Rey, Max von Sydow and many others.others.