Ulysses' Gaze

Watch Ulysses' Gaze

  • NR
  • 1995
  • 2 hr 56 min
  • 7.6  (7,376)

Ulysses' Gaze is a Greek-French-Italian film directed by Theo Angelopoulos and released in 1995. The movie stars Harvey Keitel as the protagonist, a Greek-American filmmaker named A. The story is set in Greece, the Balkans, and Russia, and it is a complex and challenging exploration of identity, history, and memory. The plot begins with A. receiving an unusual commission from an Italian film festival. The festival wants him to locate three undeveloped rolls of film shot by the Lumiere brothers on their trip to the Balkans in the early 20th century. The rolls are believed to contain footage of the legendary fairytale Cassandra's headdress, which was lost in the Balkan wars. A. accepts the commission and embarks on a journey that takes him from Greece to the Balkans to Russia.

As A. travels through the Balkans, he encounters people who are struggling with the aftermath of war and displacement. He tries to understand their pain and disorientation, but he also struggles with his own demons. A. is haunted by his own past, including his father's death in the Greek Civil War and the breakup of his marriage. He is also haunted by the weight of history, particularly the legacy of the Cold War and the Soviet Union's collapse.

Ulysses' Gaze is a slow, meditative film that requires a patient and attentive viewer. Angelopoulos uses long, unbroken takes and complex, layered sound and image to create a dreamlike atmosphere. The movie is full of surreal, symbolic moments, such as a group of people carrying a couch across a bombed-out bridge or a band playing a patriotic song in the ruins of a factory. These moments are not meant to be literal but evoke a sense of loss, longing, and nostalgia.

The film also features a strong sense of place. Angelopoulos depicts Greece and the Balkans as a region that is still trying to come to terms with its complicated history. The landscape is dotted with ruins and monuments that commemorate past battles and conflicts. The people who live there are portrayed as resilient but scarred by their experiences. The movie's portrayal of Russia is also fascinating, as it captures the period of flux and uncertainty that followed the USSR's collapse. A. travels through Moscow, meeting artists and intellectuals who are grappling with the end of an era.

The acting in Ulysses' Gaze is superb, particularly by Keitel, who gives a nuanced and understated performance. His character is both sympathetic and flawed, and Keitel captures his internal struggle with subtlety and grace. Maia Morgenstern also gives a powerful performance as A.'s estranged wife, who appears to him in hallucinatory visions. Erland Josephson, perhaps best known for his work with Ingmar Bergman, has a small but memorable role as an eccentric Russian artist.

Despite its challenges, Ulysses' Gaze is a movie that rewards careful attention. It is a thoughtful examination of history, memory, and identity, and it raises questions that are still relevant today. The film's haunting images and evocative soundtrack resonate long after the credits have rolled. For fans of slow, contemplative cinema, Ulysses' Gaze is a must-see.

Ulysses' Gaze
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Description
  • Release Date
    1995
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    2 hr 56 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (7,376)