Tiha apokalipsa ljudskog duha: odjeci Eliotovih Šupljih ljudi u filmu Torinski konj Bele Tara

Abstract

Unlike many other apocalyptic movies characterized by pompous science fiction elements, the last movie by Hungarian director Béla Tarr is a perfect example of how the topic of the end of the world can be tackled in a very powerful manner by means of minimalism which is so pronounced that it cannot even be found in the director’s previous works. The movie is conceived as a story of counter creation, depicting the last six days on Earth, and it represents the image of the Apocalypse which comes as a result of gradual decline in human emotions and empathy, as well as the notable lack of communication. In that sense, there is a strong connection between the characters of this movie and the hollow men from T. S. Eliot’s famous poem. The first part of this paper provides insight into Tarr’s oеuvre, i.e. into the basic topics which he tackles in his movies, as well as the techniques which make his works so unique. After that, the second part is focused on The Turin Horse, its structure and the topics it covers. Particular attention is paid to the story about Nietzsche and the beaten horse, which was the main inspiration for this movie. Finally, the main part of the paper provides the analysis of the characters reminiscent of Eliot’s hollow men in terms of their lack of motivation and spiritual numbness. In that manner, it is obvious that there is a strong connection between these two works of art, which depict the Apocalypse not as a bang, as Eliot puts it, but a whimper.