Andrey A. Tarkovsky

Russian documentary filmmaker, photographer, editor and writer (b. 7 August 1970, Moscow, USSR); lives and works in Florence, Italy. Andrei A. Tarkovskiy is the second son of renowned film director Andrei Tarkovsky (1932—1986) and grandson of poet and translator Arseny Tarkovsky (1907—1989). Andrey is best known for directing Andrei Tarkovsky: A Cinema Prayer (2019) documentary and co-editing Instant Light, Tarkovsky Polaroids (2006) photobook, an iconic album of 60 shots taken by his father between 1979 and '84. He is the head of Andrey Tarkovsky International Institute. Andrey has been recently collaborating with the Italian classical ensemble Duo Gazzana, directing a video for them and providing photos for some releases. Andrey was born in his father's second marriage to Larisa Kizilova (née Egorkina), and his parents first met around 1965 at the Andrei Rublev's film set. In 1980, Tarkovsky Sr. and Larisa went to Italy, where he spent the next few years working on Nostalghia film, leaving 10-year-old "Andriusha" (affectionate for Andrei) in Moscow. The movie debuted at Cannes Film Festival in May 1983, nominated for the "Palme d'Or" prize and losing by one vote on behalf of a vindictive Soviet Union jury representative, Sergei Bondarchuk. The incident further increased Tarkovsky's discontent with the oppressive communist regime. While still in Rome, he sent an official petition to the USSR State Committee for Cinematography, asking for a three-year extension to his Italian assignment and permission for his mother-in-law and 12-year-old Andrey to join them; predictably, it was rejected. In July 1984, Tarkovsky organized a press conference in Milan, announcing his decision to remain permanently "in the West" and effectively becoming the Soviet defector. Authorities in USSR immediately renounced his work, banning films and any mentions of Tarkovsky's name in media — all but revoking his citizenship. Moreso, the Communist Party refused "exit visas" to any of his relatives, including Andrey Jr. In December 1985, Tarkovsky was diagnosed with lung cancer, at which point the Soviet government finally allowed Andrey to leave the country and reconnect with his father. The Sacrifice (1986), Tarkovsky's final movie completed in Sweden shortly before he passed away, was dedicated to Andrey.