Director

Béla Tarr

1955 – 2026

Who they are

Born: 21 July 1955, Pécs, Hungary
Died: 6 January 2026
Known for: Family Nest, Damnation, Satantango

Béla Tarr (1955–2026) was a Hungarian director known for austere black-and-white films, very long takes and a bleak, philosophical view of human life. He moved from social realism to slow, atmospheric works such as Sátántangó and Werckmeister Harmonies, which are widely ranked among the great films of art cinema.

Where to start

Family Nest (1979)Log in to add it to the library
His debut feature, a raw social-realist drama about housing shortages, starting his early documentary-style phase.
Damnation (1988)In the library
Marked his shift toward gloomy atmosphere, fluid camera movement and philosophical themes, and began his work with novelist László Krasznahorkai.
Satantango (1994)Full guide
His epic, roughly seven-hour adaptation of Krasznahorkai's novel, often cited as a landmark of slow cinema.
Werckmeister Harmonies (2001)In the library
A celebrated parable of unrest in a small town, known for its extended single-shot sequences.
The Turin Horse (2011)In the library
His announced final film, a stark study of repetition and despair that won a major Berlin prize.

Their films in the library

Awards

2011 Silver Bear, Jury Grand Prix (Berlin) for The Turin Horse
2011 FIPRESCI Prize (Berlin) for The Turin Horse

The full list · 32

1965Iván Iljics halálaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Vászja (as Tar Béla)
1978Hotel MagnezitLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1979Family NestLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1979CinemarxismLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1981The OutsiderLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1981DiplomafilmLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1982The Prefab PeopleLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1982MacbethLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1984Autumn AlmanacLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1984The Doctor's PupilLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1987Season of MonstersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jesus as Mental Patient
1988DamnationLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1990The Last BoatLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1990City LifeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1994SatantangoLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
1995Journey on the PlainLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2001Werckmeister HarmoniesLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2001György Fehér's Films According to Béla TarrLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2004Visions of EuropeLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2004PrologueLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2007365 Day ProjectLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2008The Man from LondonLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2008Béla Tarr: Mysterious HarmoniesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
2011The Turin HorseLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2011The State That I Am FishLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Béla Tarr
2014Tarr Béla: I Used to Be a FilmmakerLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Himself
2015About CinemaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2017MuhamedLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2018A Country DividedLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2019Missing PeopleLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2025FUKUSHIMA with BÉLA TARRLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2026First LessonLog in to add it to the libraryActor

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.