Sad news is arriving this afternoon from Greece, as legendary filmmaker Theo Angelopolous was struck by a motorcycle on the set of his latest film and has died of his injuries at the age of 77.
Filmmaking wasn't the first career chosen by the director, who studied law and later attended the Sorbonne before finally studying film at the IDHEC (Institute of Advanced Cinematographic Studies). Over the course of his carrer, Angelopoulos directed only thirteen feature length films, but a handful of them are regarded as some of the finest ever made. Angelopoulos' films are known for their meditative (and sometimes, equally elaborate) long takes, beautiful cinematography courtesy of his long collaborator Giorgos Arvanitis, and a meditative storytelling style that didn't make him a box office favorite, but earned him the adoration of cinephiles worldwide.
His work has been honored by film festivals across the globe, with his utterly lovely "Landscape In The Mist" (BluRay release, please!) winning the Silver Lion in Venice in 1988, while he was a regular fixture at Cannes, winning the Palme d'Or a decade later for "Eternity And A Day." At the time of his death, Angelopolous was shooting "The Other Sea," starring Toni Servillo (“Gomorrah,” “Il Divo”) with a story set against the backdrop of the current economic crisis in Greece and centering on a politician who assists illegal immigrants from Macedonia and Albania to enter the country. The film was to be the closing chapter of his trilogy of films that included "The Weaping Meadow" and "The Dust Of Time." The production in the midst of a six week shoot, and its status is unknown at this time.
Angelopoulos was a singular, distinct voice whose unhurried, deeply evocative aesthetic was poetic and powerful. He will be greatly missed. [News 247/Newsbeast]
Thank you for the films Mr Angelopoulos, may he rest in peace.
Sad news indeed. And what a way to go too. R.I.P. I saw The Dust of Time and it really made an impact, Willem Dafoe gives a wonderful performance.
While I know him by reputation I'm ashamed to say that I've never seen one of his works. Anyone have a recommendation of where to start?
Ignorant me/ I've never heard of him, or seen his movies, but I see the sensibility of him as a person, and a great artist. I will look at his art, he seemed to be a great man. Rest in Peace.
Truly tragic. Rest in peace Theo!
Rest in peace. We will never forget you!
How terrible! At the very least, he passed while doing what he enjoyed. May he rest in peace.
I will tell you about the journey
All the night long
And all the nights to come
Between one embrace and the next
Between lovers' calls
A whole human adventure
The story that never ends
Thank you, Theo.
Holy shit, what a tragedy.
Rest in peace.
As a Greek (and a film lover) I am devastated by this news.One of the last of the great European auteurs just passed away (during the filming of the 3rd and final chapter of a film trilogy…).
May he rest in peace.His work remains though – always.The dust of time (the title of his previous film) will never erase it.