Landscape in the Mist (1988)
I’ve never met you, yet I miss you.
Presentation:
If you have watched an Angelopoulos film, it is likely this crowd favorite. Landscsape in the Mist encapsulates nearly every signature attribute of the Greek director - stunning cinematography, poetic philosophy, long takes, and innocent children. His ideas are slightly less polished, but that is also what makes this true to him and unfiltered. The story is straightforward of two children searching for their father, but it is not as emotional as it could be. There is a coldness to the director’s style that makes it hard to fully believe these two precocious children, which is why I found it difficult to connect with them.
Conclusion:
This is by no means mainstream, but if you want a more accessible film from the Greek master this could be a good place to start. The plot is relatively easier to follow than Eternity and a Day, but that is still my favorite film from him. I think everything about this film falls short of that masterpiece, though there are some that say the cinematography in this film is superior. The poetic nonsense from these two children is suffocating, which unfortunately ruined the experience for me. Eternity and a Day is also like that, but I feel this one is worse. Or maybe it just depends on which film you watched first. Still, there are definitely touching moments that will tug at the heartstrings.
Recommendations
I’ve never met you, yet I miss you.