The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
by Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Amira Casar, Assumpta Serna, César Sarachu, Gottfried John, Ljubisa GruicicDirector: Stephen Quay, Timothy Quay
Brand: Zeitgeist Films
Writer: Stephen Quay
Writer: Timothy Quay
Producer: Alexander Ris
Producer: Björn Eggert
Producer: Hengameh Panahi
Writer: Alan Passes
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Portuguese (Original Language)
Format: Black & White, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 99 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-04-24
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Zeitgeist Films
Movie Reviews of The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
Movie Review: Exquisite and charged dreamscape
Summary: 5 Stars
As a huge fan of the Quay's last excursion into live action filmmaking ("Institute Benjamenta") I was thrilled at the chance to see another feature from such richly textured imaginations. "Piano Tuner of Earthquakes" actually exceeded my expectations and then some. It's one of the greatest works of cinema I've ever seen.
The meanings inherent in this film come only partially through the plotline. Narrative in most commercial films is the most heavily weighted element (second behind star power). What we have here is a real work of art where every element is given loving attention. This is not a literal story, it is a symbolic dreamscape with sounds, textures, gestures, facial expressions, even down to the glint of light off a glass window giving a profound numinous charge.
Many viewers will find this wealth of detail overwhelming without being led by the hand with the conscious contrivance of conventional storyline. But here, the Quay's have perhaps been too compromised. Their tale is a little too clear and dialogue and voice overs too concerned with romanticized story telling (but that's my taste; I realize the general public prefers an even more linear presentation). Still this concession to popular taste doesn't detract from the essential power of it's imagery, which is considerable.
The sound design stands out as one of it's most imaginative features, as textured as the visuals. Very delicate and multi-leveled, there are some astonishing passages that rival any soundtrack I've ever heard. On the other hand there are a couple of themes that are too prominent (a Spanish-style melody played on electric guitar and a "Vertigo"-like love theme).
All together this film distills the essences the Quay brothers have been exploring throughout their career and presents these essences in a glorious ripened form of an adult myth. There's a palpable sensual power here of longings and obsessions that build to a thick swelling of contradictory passions. These conflicted subterranean passions lead to the final earthquake, an upheaval where the opera theater and it's players collapse inward.
This is NOT a film for everyone. The viewer must participate in deciphering; it's deeper meanings are not simply stated. It's a challenging experience and many will not want that in their film viewing. However, if you are intrigued by dreams and surreal imagery, you should definitely see this film, it stands among the greatest ever made!
Summary of The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes
THE PIANO TUNER OF EARTHQUAKES is the breathtakingly beautiful and long-awaited second feature film from the Quay Brothers. On the eve of her wedding, the beautiful opera singer Malvina (Amira Casar, ANATOMY OF HELL) is mysteriously "killed" and abducted by the malevolent Dr. Droz (Gottfried John, THE MARRIAGE OF MARIA BRAUN). Felisberto (Cesar Sarachu, INSTITUTE BENJAMENTA), an innocent piano tuner, is summoned to Droz?s secluded villa to service his strange musical automatons. Little by little Felisberto learns of the doctor?s plans to stage a "diabolical opera" -- and of Malvina?s fate. He secretly conspires to rescue her, only to become trapped himself in the web of Droz?s perverse universe.Similar DVD Movies
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