How to Get Into Bela Tarr, a Master of Slow Cinema

"The Hungarian auteur, known for philosophically challenging films shot in stark monochrome , has a filmography that's difficult to find at the best of times. But in late 2024, Curzon released a collection of Tarr's full filmography - including his only television film, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth."

"With a career that moved from stark neorealism to the long takes that would turn him into one of the key figures of "slow cinema" , Tarr is a singular director who leaves behind a formidable artistic legacy. If you've never seen a Tarr film, or don't even recognise his name, there's a chance you'll be familiar with the many filmmakers and artists that he's inspired. Here's what you need to know before diving in."

"It's faithful to the 'Budapest school' of filmmaking, which, with a minimal budget and a cast of non-professional actors, aimed to offer something close to total realism on screen. His early films also carry a sharp political edge; the director himself described his 1981 feature The Outsider as a reaction to communist Hungary's censorious political and cultural climate. 'There were a lot of shit things in the cinema, a lot of lies ... We just wanted to show the reality - anti-movies.'"

Béla Tarr made philosophically challenging monochrome films and his filmography remained hard to access until Curzon released a complete collection in late 2024, including his television adaptation of Macbeth. The Criterion Collection has released only Werckmeister Harmonies (2000). Tarr's career moved from Budapest-school social realism to long takes that defined slow cinema. He began with Family Nest at 22, employing minimal budgets and non-professional actors to pursue total realism. His early work carried a sharp political edge; The Outsider (1981) responded to communist Hungary's censorious climate. Autumn Almanac (1984) severely limited his opportunities in Hungary.

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