Nostalghia (1983)

Brief Intro

🕊️ Nostalghia is a visually stunning, deeply philosophical film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky in 1983. The movie follows Andrei Gorchakov, a Russian poet, who travels to Italy to research the life of an 18th-century composer. As he traverses the beautiful, melancholic Italian countryside, he grapples with existential questions, cultural displacement, and profound nostalgia.

Literary Devices Used in Nostalghia

Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Candle lighting ritual in the tunnel	The candle represents faith and perseverance.
The abandoned pool scene	The pool symbolizes spiritual and emotional cleansing.

Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Andrei carrying the candle across the pool	The journey symbolizes life’s struggles and hope.
The dilapidated buildings	Represent the decay of spiritual and cultural values.

Allegory

Movie Scene	Device Example
Domenico’s speech to the crowd	Represents humanity’s collective plight and yearning for change.
Andrei’s vision of his family in Russia	An allegory for the emotional distance and longing for home.

Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Andrei’s search for meaning in Italy	Ironically, he finds more confusion and despair.
Domenico’s madness contrasted with wisdom	Domenico is perceived as mad, yet he speaks profound truths.

Motif

Movie Scene	Device Example
Repeated water imagery	Water as a motif for purification and renewal.
Recurring presence of ruins	Motif of decay and the passage of time.

Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Rural Italian landscape vs. urban decay	Highlights the contrast between nature and human influence.
Andrei’s visions vs. reality	Juxtaposes internal and external struggles.

Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Domenico’s warnings about the end of the world	Foreshadows the impending personal and existential crises.
Andrei’s recurring dreams	Hint at his eventual fate and enlightenment.

Imagery

Movie Scene	Device Example
Opening scene in the misty countryside	Evokes a sense of mystery and isolation.
Andrei’s dream sequences	Rich, surreal imagery that conveys his inner turmoil.

Symbolic Colors

Movie Scene	Device Example
Use of grey and muted tones	Symbolize desolation and nostalgia.
Red hues in Domenico’s scenes	Indicate passion and madness.

Flashback

Movie Scene	Device Example
Andrei’s memories of his family	Flashbacks reveal his emotional backstory.
Visions of the Russian countryside	Illustrate his longing and cultural dislocation.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Andrei Gorchakov

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Andrei’s candle lighting ritual symbolizes his search for meaning and spiritual illumination.
Flashback	Flashbacks to his family in Russia reveal his deep-seated nostalgia and emotional burden.

Domenico

Device	Explanation
Irony	Domenico is seen as mad, but his actions and words carry profound wisdom and truth.
Allegory	His character serves as an allegory for the misunderstood visionary, fighting against societal norms.

Eugenia

Device	Explanation
Juxtaposition	Her modern, pragmatic outlook contrasts with Andrei’s introspective and nostalgic nature, highlighting their different worldviews.
Metaphor	Her relationship with Andrei can be seen as a metaphor for the clash between modernity and tradition, rationality and emotion.

Character Dynamics

Andrei and Domenico

• Irony: Their interactions reveal the irony of wisdom in madness and sanity in perceived insanity. Their relationship drives the narrative, emphasizing themes of existential search and spiritual awakening.
• Juxtaposition: The contrasting backgrounds and philosophies of Andrei and Domenico underscore the film’s exploration of intellectual and spiritual dilemmas.

Andrei and Eugenia

• Juxtaposition: Their dynamic explores the tension between the intellectual/spiritual and the practical/earthly, deepening the thematic content of the film.
• Metaphor: Their interactions metaphorically represent the struggle between different aspects of Andrei’s identity and values.

Thematic Analysis

Cultural Dislocation

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The recurring imagery of ruins symbolizes Andrei’s sense of cultural and spiritual decay away from home.
Flashback	Andrei’s flashbacks to Russia highlight his sense of dislocation and yearning for his homeland.

Existential Search

Device	Explanation
Metaphor	Andrei’s journey with the candle is a metaphor for his existential quest and struggle.
Allegory	Domenico’s character represents the universal search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world.

Isolation

Device	Explanation
Imagery	The film’s persistent use of desolate landscapes and empty spaces visually conveys a sense of isolation.
Symbolic Colors	The use of grey and muted tones throughout the film enhances the feeling of emotional and physical isolation.

Faith and Perseverance

Device	Explanation
Symbolism	The candle in the tunnel scene symbolizes unwavering faith and the struggle to keep it alive despite adversities.
Foreshadowing	Domenico’s warnings and actions foreshadow the need for faith and perseverance in the face of existential despair.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Visual symbolism	The recurring candle imagery is enhanced by the careful framing and lighting in key scenes.
Imagery	Cinematography	Use of long takes and natural light to create powerful, haunting visual images.
Metaphor	Sound design	The subtle use of sound contrasts (silence vs. noise) to underscore metaphorical elements.
Allegory	Set design	The decayed, historical settings enhance the allegorical elements of cultural decay.
Irony	Juxtaposition of scenes	Editing choices that juxtapose Andrei’s serene dreams with his troubled waking moments.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene 1: Candle Lighting in the Tunnel

📽️ Watch on YouTube

Breakdown:

• Literary Device: Symbolism
• Cinematic Techniques: Long take, natural light, close-ups
• Explanation: This scene encapsulates Andrei’s struggle and determination. The long take immerses the viewer in his arduous journey, while the natural light accentuates the fragility and significance of the candle.

Scene 2: Domenico’s Speech

📽️ Watch on YouTube

Breakdown:

• Literary Device: Allegory
• Cinematic Techniques: Dramatic monologue, crowd scenes, intense close-ups
• Explanation: Domenico’s speech serves as a powerful allegory for humanity’s existential plight. The close-ups convey his passion and urgency, while the crowd scenes amplify the universality of his message.

Scene 3: Andrei’s Dream of Russia

📽️ Watch on YouTube

Breakdown:

• Literary Device: Flashback
• Cinematic Techniques: Surreal imagery, soft focus, evocative soundscape
• Explanation: The dream sequences use surreal imagery and evocative soundscapes to create a poignant contrast between Andrei’s past and present, highlighting his deep-seated nostalgia and cultural dislocation.

Conclusion

Interactive Multiple Choice Quiz

1. What does the candle symbolize in Nostalghia?
   • A) Love
   • B) Faith and perseverance
   • C) Fear
2. Which character serves as an allegory for the misunderstood visionary?
   • A) Andrei Gorchakov
   • B) Domenico
   • C) Eugenia
3. What is the main theme explored through Andrei’s journey?
   • A) Wealth
   • B) Existential search
   • C) Adventure
4. How is irony depicted in Domenico’s character?
   • A) Through his humorous dialogues
   • B) His madness contrasts with his profound wisdom
   • C) His wealth versus his lifestyle
5. Which cinematic technique is used to enhance the symbolism of the candle?
   • A) Dramatic music
   • B) Long take and natural light
   • C) Fast cuts and bright colors