About that movie...

So,what was that Tarkovsky's movie about?
Well, so it happens that every first Saturday of the month, there is a youth fellowship meeting at the church I go to and we usually watch a movie (not always a strictly religious oriented).
Anyway, the plan for yesterday was to watch Tarkovsky's Andrei Rublev (or The Passion according to Andrei; and it is not related in any way to The Passion of the Christ).
Andrei Rublev was a famous Russian Iconographer who lived in Russia in the 15th century. He is mostly known for his Holy Trinity icon, a depiction of the three Angels that visit Abraham (a story in the Old Testament) which according to Orthodox Christian Theology it is premanifestation of the Holy Trinity (God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit). This icon is also referred to as "The Hospitality of Abraham"
However, the movie is hardly about Rublev.
In the 205 minutes this movie lasts (remember, it is Tarkovsky and that is the full uncensored version, and not what the Soviet administration allowed to be shown in public), Rublev is not exactly starring.
Since little is known about his life, Tarkovsky uses him as symbol, like most of his characters and events. Situated in the 15th century rural Russia in a very turbulent era (it was the time of the Mongol-Tartar invasion) the movie is in fact about what it means to be human. Filmed in black and white and contaning some violent scenes and nudity, this movie is far more than the story of a man's life and struggle. Love, ethics, art, religious (between Christian and pagans) and/or ethnic conflicts are all there; a world that collapses but still hope cannot be completely lost. A reflection of Tarkovsky's view of humanity, of being Russian, of being in the former Soviet Union? Perhaps. This movie can really mean whatever the viewer wants it to mean. A true masterpiece, one of the few I will have to say.
The only bad thing was that we got to see only the first part of the movie since it was already 22.30, and there was still 1.45 minutes left. (Remember, some people had to get up early the next morning!) So we just watched the first part, and I can't wait to watch the second, probably in two weeks. (Unless I get really impatient and rent the movie myself!).
No matter what your personal beliefs are, I do suggest you watch this movie, even if you are not the believer type. Afterall, this movie is hardly about God and a lot about man, his passions and struggle. I know it is a bit long but it will definitely reward you in the end. (It was rewarding for me and I only saw half of it!)