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Sátántangó
Sátántangó
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Sátántangó

Sátántangó

1994
Drama
7h 19m
In a small dilapidated village in post-communist Hungary, life has come to a virtual standstill. The autumn rains have started. The villagers expect to receive a large cash payment that evening, and then plan to leave. Some want to abscond earlier with more than their fair share of the money... (imdb)

Directed by:

Béla Tarr

Screenwriter:

Béla Tarr, László Krasznahorkai

Starring:

János Derzsi, Mihály Vig, Putyi Horváth, László Lugossy, Éva Almássy Albert, Irén Szajki, Erika Bók

Genre:

Drama

AKAs:

Satan's Tango, Satantango

Countries:

Germany, Hungary, Switzerland

Language:

Hungarian
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Sátántangó

1994
Drama
7h 19m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 80.7% from 785 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 20 Jul 2008
92
96th
One word to describe this would be "texture". His ultra-long takes give you ample opportunity to drink in the details, and you find your eyes wandering all over the frame. Other times the camera gracefully glides around the action, pointing out hidden secrets in darkened areas. You become part of Tarr's world, and a rich, deeply felt world it is. There's an endless ocean of feeling and thought and morality here. The film is also intriguingly structured, and funny and tragic and fascinating.
Rated 20 Jul 2008
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 20 Nov 2009
10
97th
Hard to believe this came out in 94', not only a time capsule of post-communist Hungary, but also of a time where films of this magnitude, strength and quality were made. Tarr crafts an enticing mood, allowing us to pay attention to every single frame and sound (footsteps, rain, wind). Every shot in this film is a work of art. 'Sátántangó' is a masterpiece in every sense of the word, essential viewing for any filmlover. Highly recommended!
Rated 20 Nov 2009
icarusIcarus
Rated 27 Jul 2008
99
99th
Amazing use of the camera and of spacing. The significance of each cut is highlighted in this film because there are so few of them. And the way Tarr's camera allows us into the world of these people seems to both repel and bring some strange sense of empathy.
Rated 27 Jul 2008
luxnatalisLuxNatalis
Rated 05 Dec 2014
100
99th
An absolutely stunning cinematic experience that in my opinion every film lover should undergo at least once in their lives. The opening scene with the cows serves as a dark prophecy of what the viewer is about to witness; I encourage everyone not to be intimidated by the 7.5 hr. runtime and to climb this mountain; because this is the Mount Everest of modern film-making.
Rated 05 Dec 2014
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 01 Feb 2010
6
98th
Satantango is a comedy, but with an unbearably bleak punchline: that humans, in all their greed, callousness and stupidity, could ever be kind or considerate to one another. If that were all there were to it, its seven-plus hours may have been an unremitting slog, but Tarr teases out just enough of his characters' humanity--hopes, dreams, desires--to make us empathize with them before dashing our optimism. Its central chapter, "Comes Unstitched," is the most devastating sequence in film.
Rated 01 Feb 2010
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 05 Jul 2023
95
98th
People stuck in the spider's web. Using a parallax structure and a droning audiovisual technique Tarr crafts pure hopelessness. It is a cinematic feeling I've never quite felt before, and maybe the best true cinematic adaptation of complex material. Happy to have finally made the time to absorb.
Rated 05 Jul 2023
djrossdjross
Rated 10 May 2021
82
93rd
A man able to pay attention but who misses many events undergoes an experience that seems to derive from a plane higher than the servility and cunning of subsistence. He rejects the idea that it has such an origin, thus deciding to close himself off from the surrounding world in order to be left in solitude to commune with those traces through which he will fashion a work of art whose place it will presumably be, for better or worse, to form the bridge between existence and belief, even hope.
Rated 10 May 2021
yiannosYiannos
Rated 15 Jul 2014
88
99th
(Viewed 2013): Tarr's achievement here is rather extraordinary: he merges an epic and voluminous non-linear narrative with a mesmerising long take aesthetic, forcing the viewer to absorb incredible amounts of plot and visual information delivered at a snail's pace. While the long takes generously invite reflection, the shots often seem disconnected from the greater whole because they are deeply immersive. They aren't of course, but the film is very demanding at 7 hours, even if it's great.
Rated 15 Jul 2014
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 25 Jan 2011
95
98th
An incredibly immense, towering work of art like almost nothing else. Such craft and skill is on display here, presenting a tragic yet often dryly humorous tale. The length of it gives Tarr's style room to stretch its legs, immersing you with its slow long takes and hypnotic repetition. So much to digest and take in that it's overwhelming the first time through, but it's so captivating that by the end you just want to keep on watching it. Suburb.
Rated 25 Jan 2011
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 29 Dec 2010
86
94th
The frustrating thing about this film is that, after freeing up most of a full day to watch it, I immediately felt it needed a second viewing.
Rated 29 Dec 2010
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 06 Jul 2010
90
94th
The first half hour is a bit of a slog, but I think it's necessary to make the following 6 and a half hours not feel that way. By making use of such long lingering shots Tarr sets up the audience to watch everything at a slowed down pace where you can take in the visuals and actions in each scene and process them thoroughly. Watching it actually takes less effort as it progresses, with the mysteries of it's characters being more than engaging enough. That it's beautiful and meaningful is a given
Rated 06 Jul 2010
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 01 Sep 2008
10
99th
Texture is right. Every shot is so intriguing, and you have more than enough time to appreciate it. My only complaint is it did drag at a few points but for over 7 hours long, it can be expected. Fortunately its Tarr so even when it is slow, there is much to enjoy.
Rated 01 Sep 2008
k177105k177105
Rated 15 Sep 2024
82
58th
A man called for some kind of life with and for people who seemed to have been devoured by utter meaninglessness, by herding them with the shame of ultimate carelessness. The singular way of filming makes this work an affecting and mesmerising take on that theme. However, this viewer still tends to feel there's a difference between Bela Tarr and, say, Ingmar Bergman, Lars von Trier and David Lynch: while we can enjoy having a few more like the last three, maybe we really only need one Bela Tarr.
Rated 15 Sep 2024
nobambanobamba
Rated 23 Feb 2021
70
76th
Americans are often told by film critics that we need to understand communist Hungarian politics to fully grasp the context of Tarr's film. Living in rural heartland it's tough for me to envision a Christ-like conman extolling his common roots, taking our money, and promising to restore a failed economy and idealized pastoral way of life. In all seriousness, great details and you definitely feel those slow tracking shots. Haunting theme. Fav scene: long walk from police station.
Rated 23 Feb 2021
kasperlKasperL
Rated 14 Oct 2020
60
50th
The cruelty towards cats was hard to watch, and patience is required. Tarr's bold stylistic touches make him unique, but his films aren't easy to recommend without reservations. If you're feeling adventurous and have 7+ hours to spare, it does have its moments. For me, those moments were some of the elaborate zooms and a few atmospheric shots that made time almost come to a halt. Oh, and the priceless guy who walks back and forth at the party, balancing a piece of pastry on his head, of course.
Rated 14 Oct 2020
badcosmonautBadCosmonaut
Rated 15 May 2020
4
42nd
Would have rated quite a bit higher but for the animal abuse.
Rated 15 May 2020
ottott
Rated 30 Apr 2017
100
99th
the world as a very bad place
Rated 30 Apr 2017
kafka1325kafka1325
Rated 01 Sep 2015
34
14th
If you try to stretch movie to 450 minutes just to impress underdog public...well what can I say? It could be same movie without killing time and cuting about 50 % with ease...Acting is really good but nevertheless other directors show similar story not trying to kill public with boredom...
Rated 01 Sep 2015
ehk2ehk2
Rated 05 Feb 2015
86
97th
extra-ordinary. the most fortunate thing to happen for a book. quite many haunting, wonderful shots in succession --but with few carelessly extended ones (like the dancing scene which only shows the limits of actors' improvisation, like the fly landing on camera lens, like the cows and pigs and horses looking at the camera and film crew for minutes -yes, guess we got it) + the cat scene which should rather be implied than shown + a non-existing 'ascension' part--
Rated 05 Feb 2015
patslondonPats_London
Rated 30 Jul 2013
85
77th
I did it. 7 1/2 hours. In many ways an astounding film, the concept, camera work, music, acting (hence the high score), but the plot is confusing and it's so long and quite boring for most of it. There are some hilarious scenes and some horrible ones too. But I never felt any empathy for any of the characters.
Rated 30 Jul 2013
xacviantxacviant
Rated 16 Jul 2013
92
95th
The desperate inhabitants of a wretched commune in rural Hungary are persuaded, in the aftermath of a horrific act, to uproot themselves and trust in the mysterious Irimias (Mihaly Vig). A fascinating, demanding examination of desperation and a dehumanizing system, distinguished by Bela Tarr's brilliant direction, the rich cinematography and grotesque production design. The plot is sometimes unclear and the seven-hour running time may be excessive, but it's a mightily impressive achievement.
Rated 16 Jul 2013
caimancaiman
Rated 12 Apr 2012
98
99th
One of the boldest things ever committed to film and one of the finest films I've ever seen. It's a movie that plays by its own rules, and in doing so enlightens its audience about what films are actually meant to do. Here Tarr doesn't show us "events", but rather lives, moods, and feelings, all of which are presented with a great attention to textural detail, and the most masterful camera work I've ever seen. Seeing this was one of the most fascinating movie-watching experiences of my life.
Rated 12 Apr 2012
actionbergActionberg
Rated 16 Sep 2011
85
84th
Perhaps an expression of vacuity within the soul; the desolate landscapes and destitute characters coalesce into a journey of exploration for...something. Or not. Tough movie. I didn't even start getting involved and loving certain things about the film until around the third hour, when for some reason the poetic narration started to ring truer, and the sad void of a tone began to feel more at home. Some scenes feel somewhat superfluous, while others are downright brilliant beyond explanation.
Rated 16 Sep 2011
bownBown
Rated 06 Mar 2010
91
94th
Absorbing, beautiful, and powerful - one of the singular most impressive achievements in cinema history. I personally wish several of the villagers had more development, but many of the chapters contain some of the most affecting scenes I’ve ever seen.
Rated 06 Mar 2010
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 15 Feb 2010
80
76th
I do not remember images from this film. I remember takes. I remember moments extended into minutes. And I remember the little girl.
Rated 15 Feb 2010
obdurateObdurate
Rated 18 Nov 2009
80
67th
More "damp" than overly depressing (it's pretty funny at times), this is a richly detailed world and characterization isn't always easy to pick up on but it's there amongst the long, atmospheric shots. Though it didn't get to me as much as Werckmeister Harmonies, it's still an emotional film with a bunch of memorable scenes. I especially loved the doctor. This is a fantastic film but on occasion I couldn't get as into what was happening as I had hoped.
Rated 18 Nov 2009
jebJeb
Rated 28 Sep 2008
90
79th
Amazing use of the camera and there's so much rich texture and detail packed into this film! Quite a sight.
Rated 28 Sep 2008
schnofelschnofel
Rated 05 Apr 2008
33
16th
I guess I'm the ultimate middlebrow.
Rated 05 Apr 2008
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 10 Feb 2024
95
95th
My ★★★★★ review of Satantango on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/5NffXX
Rated 10 Feb 2024
obtiosovobtiosov
Rated 08 Jul 2023
95
97th
Esti
Rated 08 Jul 2023
shockularSHOCKULAR
Rated 05 Aug 2022
44
6th
It just wasn't for me, though there's stuff to like. There's a good movie in here, but it's very hard to draw it out given the unnecessary length. Making this a long film is an effective and good choice, but making it 7 hours was unnecessary. It could have had a very similar feel and done pretty much the same thing with 2-3 hours cut from it without blinking. There are so many 2-4 minute scenes of people walking that could have been cut in half and still been a long scene of people walking.
Rated 05 Aug 2022
lintonmyroxylintonmyroxy
Rated 08 May 2021
87
71st
6 months later I'm done. Irimias has the most fascinating monologues ever put to film
Rated 08 May 2021
larsvontrierLarsVonTrier
Rated 07 Feb 2021
2
31st
extreme does not necessarily mean good.
Rated 07 Feb 2021
sebarivassebarivas
Rated 07 Nov 2020
100
94th
MEJOR DE LA HISTORIA
Rated 07 Nov 2020
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 07 Sep 2020
60
35th
All I could think of after getting through Cat Girl's segment was: "This film's high ratings come from the sunk cost fallacy." It's a two-hour movie that ponderously turns into seven. As a plot guy, I really struggled with it (who owned those cows? what happened to Pondering Guy? when do we see those explosives?). The lingering shots clearly create mood; admittedly some were incredible (as was the sound and musical parts). Like Pondering Guy, it took too long to say what it needed to say.
Rated 07 Sep 2020
c4e5g3d5c4e5g3d5
Rated 10 Aug 2020
100
97th
Obviously it's a commitment, and there isn't a single likeable character to latch onto to help endure the stretch, but there is almost no other movie that I can disappear into as easily.
Rated 10 Aug 2020
daxvDaxV
Rated 24 Apr 2020
95
95th
I never watched something as methodically paced and constructed as this, it may be 7 and a half hours long but it manages to feel a lot shorter than that. It was more of a daunting task for me to process everything that happened in this film as oppose to the length. I thought the visuals were breathtaking and coupled with the music you really become immersed in the atmosphere. On an emotional level it hits in a different way than other depressive films I've watched. Truly unique.
Rated 24 Apr 2020
jakeaestheteJakeAesthete
Rated 25 Nov 2019
57
54th
Needed more fart jokes.
Rated 25 Nov 2019
ale_rocaAle Roca
Rated 06 Jun 2019
100
97th
One of my absolute favorites of all time!!...Satantango plays both as a dark satire on communism's failure and a meditation on human greed and stupidity. Directed by one of cinema's true masters, this film is devastating in every minute of its epics seven hours.
Rated 06 Jun 2019
umutheatreumutheatre
Rated 18 Jan 2019
100
99th
Satantango, eşi ve benzeri olmayan; sanattan, tiyatrodan ve sinemadan öte bir film! Tarr Bela, 7 saat boyunca sizi sadece Macaristan kırsalında gezdirmekle kalmıyor, seyircisini Tanrı ilan edip insanlarını ve hikayesini yargılamamıza izin veriyor. Başyapıt!
Rated 18 Jan 2019
adilekinadilekin
Rated 19 Dec 2018
82
94th
after reading the book, i also watched and enjoyed film. i'm not sure whether i would like it much again or not, without reading the book... and according to others' performances, mihály vig's 'irimiás (messiah)' acting is weak.
Rated 19 Dec 2018
marcellomarcello
Rated 28 Nov 2018
83
91st
estike kedin olayım boğ beni
Rated 28 Nov 2018
edwardedward
Rated 12 Nov 2018
0
5th
This is pretentious filmmaking. I appreciate the themes, but Tarr is a shitty filmmaker and has nothing worthwhile to offer. His popularity baffles me. Films should be entertaining even if they are dark, slow or unpleasant. For example, there are better ways to capture desolation than to spend the first ten minutes haphazardly panning over a dreary farm. It's arrogant. I understand his goals, he just doesn't know how to execute them. Gus Van Sant, who has similar goals, understands how to do it.
Rated 12 Nov 2018
dead_mandead man
Rated 19 Aug 2018
87
77th
An overly lengthy, unnecessarily long movie. In spite of a beautiful set of images, the slowness of its rhythm does not even serve to mirror the unbearable autumn - based on the assumption that a movie should have spectators, this feature shows itself as a sort of anti-language. Its duration could be condensed and yet the feeling of inertia and despair would be well portrayed.
Rated 19 Aug 2018
apovoncrierApovoncrier
Rated 26 Feb 2018
99
99th
Jön a török
Rated 26 Feb 2018
jpotiijpotII
Rated 19 Feb 2018
95
98th
Capricornio
Rated 19 Feb 2018
dardandardan
Rated 29 May 2015
70
71st
For a film in which so little happens, that is intentionally, so as to by congruence address the banality or simplicity of evil, it is unfortunate that the chosen form, specifically the use of a nearly always moving camera, seemed not entirely succesful.
Rated 29 May 2015
neonmanNeonman
Rated 09 Feb 2014
68
32nd
Tarr has a particular cinematic grandness that permeates this feast, yet I didn't feel I was engaged with the whole thing. The grating pace appeared obnoxious and uninteresting at times, making me think it would've been cleverer to have said the same thing through seven and a half minutes. Mostly, this film has an incredibly apocalyptic and claustrophobic setting that is evoked brilliantly from less rather than more, Vig's gloomy score doing perhaps more than half the work.
Rated 09 Feb 2014
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 29 Dec 2013
100
99th
28 Aralik 2013, Bilgi Sinema & cinemarhizome
Rated 29 Dec 2013
nepetaNepeta
Rated 10 Jan 2013
100
99th
The film is beautiful, hypnotic, for every minute of its runtime it is never less than fascinating, captivating and fiercely enigmatic. It is a film you experience and that I left a seven hour long film extremely keen to see it again says a lot about quite how mesmerising the experience is. The expression of powerlessness is heartbreaking, in particular the storyline following the young girl, whereas Irimias is rendered as someone almost demonic toying with them more for fun than money.
Rated 10 Jan 2013
adamj1982adamj1982
Rated 18 Nov 2012
96
98th
So, so much to take in. The immersion felt by watching this film is difficult to describe. Amongst it's many fantastic elements, the sound is like none I have experienced in a movie before. The weight under a cow's hoof, deep in mud, can be heard shifting even before a step begins. This is truly an experience.
Rated 18 Nov 2012
elysian_airElysian Air
Rated 20 Sep 2012
100
98th
A monolithic elegy of uncompromising vision. Modern viewers are too impatient to appreciate the beauty of the various nuances this film contains, although perhaps on a rare occasion the sum of every long take will evoke an emergent understanding of its significance. The locomotive scheme mirrors that of a tango, with as many steps forwards as backwards. For those with an inclination towards films that refuse to unlock their secrets, they will find the most value in repeated, careful viewings.
Rated 20 Sep 2012
dtortumdtortum
Rated 21 Mar 2012
95
85th
Filmin ortasindaki kucuk kizli segment sinema tarihinin en guzel bolumlerinden biri. Filmin uzunlugu seyircinin biyolojik ritmini degistiriyor. Ama bu uzunluk tam neler katiyor anlayabilmis degilim. Ikinci bolum tamamen bir geriye donus - sanki yok gibi. Garip, guzel bi film.
Rated 21 Mar 2012
gnalkhereGnalkhere
Rated 16 Mar 2012
95
97th
I love films with numerous long takes. I think I hit the jackpot. My first Tarr, despite how this was one of the most frustrating views i've ever had (6 months to finish)
Rated 16 Mar 2012
svengaliSvengali
Rated 14 Jan 2012
96
99th
Yay, Hungary.
Rated 14 Jan 2012
theyshoot11theyshoot11
Rated 30 Nov 2011
88
76th
#248
Rated 30 Nov 2011
nrooNroo
Rated 23 Dec 2010
98
99th
The greatest collection of faces in all of cinema
Rated 23 Dec 2010
theyshoot10theyshoot10
Rated 13 Jan 2010
88
76th
245
Rated 13 Jan 2010
joojooJooJoo
Rated 28 Aug 2009
4
56th
I can appreciate this on some level, but it's so far away from anything I could truly enjoy, especially for 7 and a half hours.
Rated 28 Aug 2009
theyshoot08theyshoot08
Rated 19 Dec 2008
83
66th
343
Rated 19 Dec 2008
theyshoot07theyshoot07
Rated 01 Mar 2008
85
76th
# 303
Rated 01 Mar 2008

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