MovieChat Forums > Zerkalo (1975) Discussion > The beating heart in the head

The beating heart in the head

posted 18 years ago by Liendale
9 replies | jump to latest

What a great shot, the way he slowly focuses in on the figure, then this ephemeral, surreal shot of this pulsing skull. What is the deal with this?

[–] nickcorporon 18 years ago

I just saw this too. Creeped me out...thought it was a cool effect but fear it was the actual guy! Eek!

[–] maarcis_b 18 years ago

This man was meant wounded in the war and lost part of his skull's bone. Tarkovsky took consultations from people who was experienced with this in the war when he make the film.

[–] satyriconuk 15 years ago

Was it real? Could somebody live with such a delicate part of their skull injured like that?

[–] bookworm345 15 years ago

yes! Think of babies having s "soft spot", it is kind of the same thing.
Also, he was wearing a protective device (it comes off when he falls down, he picks it up and put it back on again).

[–] satyriconuk 15 years ago

That's wild! Great scene, great film!

[–] Kamran-15 14 years ago

Have you ever been terrified? Like seriously panicking that you're about to die? Your heart palpitates (beats very hard)...hard enough it makes your whole body shake. You can feel the blood rushing through your body and feel your heartbeat everywhere, especially in the skull. I'm sure that, to some extent, Tarkovsky shot it like that to make us feel (the thumping sound adds to this) the panic that man must be feeling...He thinks he's about to blow the *beep* up! We're supposed to get nervous for him. It worked. I was. Awesome shot.

[–] SpanishFlyman 10 years ago

Loved that scene...great effect which came out of nowhere!

[–] Prom_Queen_Carrie 9 years ago

When you're in panic mode you do feel the pounding in your head like that. I've never seen that in a film before and it was brilliant.

I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon. With nail polish.

[–] OldSamVimes 9 years ago

It looked real to me.