Time Within Time: The Diaries 1970–1986

Time Within Time presents the personal diaries of Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky, spanning from 1970 to 1986. The entries chronicle his daily life, creative process, and struggles both in the Soviet Union and during his later exile in Western Europe. The diaries, originally titled Martyrolog, contain a mix of everyday observations, professional reflections, and deep philosophical musings. Tarkovsky records everything from mundane shopping lists to complex theoretical discussions about cinema, while also documenting his interactions with other artists and his observations of the film industry. These journal entries continue until just weeks before Tarkovsky's death in December 1986, providing a rare window into his final years. The work has been translated into 15 languages since its first publication in German in 1989, with the English version appearing in 1991. The diaries reveal the tension between artistic freedom and political constraints, while exploring broader themes of spirituality, creativity, and personal truth in an restrictive environment.

Readers describe an intimate look into Tarkovsky's creative process, personal struggles, and philosophical views through his diary entries. The book reveals his thoughts on filmmaking, spirituality, and life in exile. Liked: - Raw honesty about his frustrations with Soviet bureaucracy - Insights into the making of films like Stalker and Nostalghia - Detailed observations about art, literature, and culture - His complex relationship with religion and faith Disliked: - Some found his tone bitter and complaining - Several entries focus on mundane daily activities - Translation issues noted by Russian speakers - Occasional repetitive thoughts and themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (50+ ratings) "Like reading the private thoughts of a tortured genius," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "His struggles with Soviet authorities become almost overwhelming to read." Several readers mentioned the book works best when read alongside his films rather than as a standalone work.

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🎬 Tarkovsky would sometimes include detailed sketches of his dream sequences in the diary margins, which later influenced scenes in films like "Stalker" and "The Sacrifice" 📝 The original diary manuscripts were smuggled out of the Soviet Union by Tarkovsky's wife Larisa in 1984 when they went into exile 🎨 The word "Martyrolog" was inspired by medieval Christian texts documenting saints' lives, reflecting Tarkovsky's deep interest in spiritual themes 📚 Several pages contain poetry by his father Arseny Tarkovsky, a renowned Russian poet whose works were later featured prominently in films like "Mirror" 🌟 The final entry was written on December 15, 1986, exactly two weeks before his death from lung cancer in Paris, where he was living in exile