
Werckmeister Harmonies
dir. Béla Tarr
88
8 sourcesSynopsis
A naive young man witnesses an escalation of violence in his small hometown following the arrival of a mysterious circus attraction.
Critics consensus
Mesmerizingly lovely and thematically thought-provoking, Werckmeister Harmonies adds another indelible achievement to Bela Tarr's fascinating filmography.
What resonated with audiences
'Werckmeister Harmonies' showcases stunning black and white cinematography with masterful long takes, creating a bleak, haunting atmosphere under Béla Tarr's visionary direction. The melancholic score and rich symbolism exploring political allegory earn widespread praise. However, the film sharply divides audiences: some find it mesmerizing and intellectually rewarding, while others describe it as tedious and boring. The extremely slow, deliberate pacing proves polarizing, requiring patience and concentration. This challenging, philosophically dense work isn't for everyone but rewards engaged viewers.

Directed byBéla Tarr
StarringLars Rudolph, Peter Fitz, Hanna Schygulla, Alfréd Járai, Gyula Pauer, János Derzsi
Written byLászló Krasznahorkai
CinematographyMiklós Gurbán
EditingÁgnes Hranitzky
MusicMihály Víg
Werckmeister Harmonies
2001 · 2h 19m
Drama
A naive young man witnesses an escalation of violence in his small hometown following the arrival of a mysterious circus attraction.
