This is a film still from IVAN'S CHILDHOOD screening at Close-Up Film Centre on 02 July 2021.

NOW BOOKING: Close-Up on Andrei Tarkovsky (from 26 JUN 2021)

Close-Up Film Centre resumes public screenings on 25 JUN 2021 before launching into a stellar season featuring all 7 films by Soviet cinema titan, Andrei Tarkovsky (26 JUN to 01 AUG).

By RADIANT CIRCUS // Twitter @radiantcircus | Instagram @radiantcircus

There comes a time in every film bloggers life when you have to deal with duelling Tarkovskies… Not because there’s more than one of the acclaimed Russian auteur, but because the lure of his seven feature-length films remains strong on London’s alternative cinema scene.

With a season devoted to his work already underway at The Prince Charles, we’re delighted to welcome back Close-Up Film Centre following the extended closure of their cinema screen with another fully-loaded retrospective.

If you haven’t been to Close-Up before, you really should. Like most venues, its true qualities will only really reemerge after social distancing controls have been lifted, but their library/cafe and intelligent programme of in-house and guest content keeps it as one of the smaller but brighter stars of London’s alternative scene. If you live locally, or just want more of the action, Close-Up’s extensive members’ library of books and DVDs is designed to make yours a longterm relationship.

Getting back to Tarkovsky… if you haven’t dipped your toe in his waters before, I’d strongly recommend starting with IVAN’S CHILDHOOD (showing at Close-Up on 02 JUL 20:15 and the next day at The Prince Charles). It was the director’s feature-length debut and makes a perfect choice as yours. Everything that was to come in the legendary screen poet’s cinematic universe is present here in one way or another, just possibly presented in a more accessible package. (It’s also his shortest film by a margin… if you’re still feeling nervous). Having said that, IVAN’S CHILDHOOD remains my favourite of his films, and is without doubt the title that I have seen the most.

Here’s what’s on (expect new dates if the season sells well!):

  • MIRROR d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1974 (26 JUN 20:15 / 09 JUL 20:15 / 23 JUL 20:15).
  • THE SACRIFICE d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1986 (27 JUN 19:30 / 10 JUL 19:30 / 31 JUL 19:30).
  • IVAN’S CHILDHOOD d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1962 (02 JUL 20:15).
  • SOLARIS d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1972 (03 JUL 19:15 / 18 JUL 19:15 / 24 JUL 19:15).
  • STALKER d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1979 (04 JUL 19:15 / 17 JUL 19:15 / 01 AUG 19:15).
  • ANDREI RUBLEV d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1966 (11 JUL 19:00 / 25 JUL 19:00).
  • NOSTALGHIA d. Andrei Tarkovsky, 1983 (16 JUL 20:00).

CLOSE-UP ON ANDREI TARKOVSKY is booking now at Close-Up Film Centre (from 26 June 2021).

[…And then there was the time Deptford Cinema screened ANDREI RUBLEV at St Nicholas Church… read our Screen Diary about that spectacular event HERE.]

PREVIOUSLY AT CLOSE-UP…

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*THE SMALL PRINT: Opinions author’s own. // As accurate as we could make it. Apologies for any errors. Updates & corrections will be made to the online version only. // Event dates/times/formats are subject to change by the venue/organiser. Events may already be sold out at the time of posting, so please click quickly. // We try to list as many original format screenings as we can (8 to 70MM), but sometimes formats change due to age of the print, availability, logistics etc, so please check ahead with your venue if the format is your thing. // All images are used in the spirit of fair use for reporting & review – no ownership is implied or intended / unless otherwise credited to RADIANT CIRCUS as the original rights holder. We will remove any images immediately upon request – just get in touch. // We don’t filter our listings by age/certification: all readers & subscribers should therefore be 18+. // Finally, we always try to follow The Carny Code by “not screwing up anyone else’s game”, but everyone can make mistakes… If something does go wrong, we will always do our best to put it right. //.