# The Mirror

> 1975 film by Andrei Tarkovsky

**Wikidata**: [Q838149](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q838149)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirror_(1975_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/the-mirror

## Summary
The Mirror is a 1975 experimental drama film directed by the renowned Soviet filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. Produced by the Mosfilm studio within the Soviet Union, the work is a biographical exploration that blends memory and reality through a sequence of moving images. It stands as a significant cinematic achievement from the mid-1970s, released on March 7, 1975.

## Key Facts
- **Release Date:** The film was officially published on March 7, 1975.
- **Director:** Andrei Tarkovsky, a Soviet and Russian film director, screenwriter, editor, theorist, and theatre/opera director active from 1932 to 1986.
- **Production Studio:** Mosfilm, a major Soviet and Russian film company founded on January 30, 1920.
- **Country of Origin:** Soviet Union, a former Eurasian country existing from December 30, 1922, to 1991.
- **Genre Classifications:** It is categorized as an experimental film, a drama film, and a biographical film.
- **Format:** The work consists of a sequence of images stored on film stock to create the impression of movement.
- **Aliases:** The entity is also known simply as "Mirror."
- **Digital Presence:** The film holds a Wikipedia title of "Mirror (1975 film)" and has a sitelink count of 47.
- **Director's Citizenship:** Andrei Tarkovsky held citizenship in the Soviet Union, France, and the United States.
- **Studio Metrics:** Mosfilm employs approximately 1,020 people and operates within the film, television, and related industries.

## FAQs
**What is the historical context of the film's production?**
The Mirror was created during the existence of the Soviet Union, a country that spanned from 1922 to 1991. It was produced by Mosfilm, an industry giant established in 1920 that operated across both Soviet and Russian territories.

**How is the film classified within cinema genres?**
This work defies a single label by functioning simultaneously as an experimental film, a drama, and a biographical piece. It dramatizes the life of actual people while utilizing experimental forms and content to convey its narrative.

**Who was responsible for the creative direction of the project?**
Andrei Tarkovsky served as the primary creative force, fulfilling roles as director, screenwriter, and film editor. His background also included work as a film theorist and a director of theatre and opera productions.

**What technical medium was used to store the film?**
The visual content is stored on film stock, utilizing a sequence of images designed to generate the illusion of movement. This traditional method of storage defines the physical nature of the cinematic work.

## Why It Matters
The Mirror represents a pivotal moment in the history of cinema where the boundaries between documentary reality and subjective memory were blurred. As a biographical film, it offers a unique window into the life of its creator, Andrei Tarkovsky, while simultaneously challenging the viewer with experimental forms. Its existence highlights the creative output of the Soviet Union during the 1970s, showcasing how state-backed institutions like Mosfilm supported complex, non-linear storytelling. The film's enduring relevance lies in its ability to function as both a personal memoir and a universal meditation on time, influencing subsequent generations of filmmakers who seek to explore the human psyche through the medium of film.

## Notable For
- Being a 1975 release that combines the genres of experimental, drama, and biographical film.
- Serving as a primary work by Andrei Tarkovsky, a multi-disciplinary artist who also worked in theatre and opera.
- Utilizing the Mosfilm studio infrastructure, which has maintained operations since 1920 with over 1,000 employees.
- Existing as a biographical dramatization that relies on the impression of movement created by sequences of images.
- Holding a significant digital footprint with 47 distinct sitelinks across various knowledge bases.
- Representing the cultural output of the Soviet Union during its active years (1922–1991).

## Body

### Production and Release History
The Mirror was brought to the public on March 7, 1975, marking a specific milestone in the career of Andrei Tarkovsky. The production was facilitated by Mosfilm, a film company that was founded on January 30, 1920, and served as a central hub for Soviet and Russian cinema. At the time of production, the country of origin was the Soviet Union, a geopolitical entity that existed from December 30, 1922, until its dissolution in 1991. The film's release date places it firmly in the mid-1970s era of Soviet cinema, a period characterized by complex narratives and artistic experimentation within state-supported industries.

### Creative Leadership and Personnel
Andrei Tarkovsky stands as the central figure behind the project, wearing multiple hats as a director, screenwriter, and film editor. His professional life spanned from 1932 to 1986, during which he also worked as a film theorist and directed productions in both theatre and opera. Tarkovsky's citizenship was multifaceted, including the Soviet Union, France, and the United States, reflecting his international influence and eventual exile. The Mosfilm studio, which produced the film, is a substantial organization with a workforce of 1,020 employees. The studio's industry focus encompasses film, television, and related media sectors, providing the necessary infrastructure for Tarkovsky's vision.

### Genre and Artistic Classification
This entity is distinctively classified across three major cinematic categories: experimental film, drama film, and biographical film. As an experimental film, it engages with non-traditional forms and content, pushing the boundaries of standard narrative structures. Simultaneously, it functions as a drama, utilizing emotional intensity and character-driven storytelling. The biographical aspect is crucial, as the work dramatizes the life of actual people, grounding its experimental nature in personal history. This multi-genre approach allows the film to explore the intersection of memory, reality, and artistic expression.

### Technical Specifications and Format
The fundamental nature of The Mirror relies on the technology of film stock, where a sequence of images is stored to create the impression of movement. This analog format is the defining characteristic of the medium, distinguishing it from digital video or other forms of visual art. The film's structure is built upon this sequence, ensuring that the viewer experiences a continuous flow of visual information. The technical execution supports the experimental goals of the director, allowing for the manipulation of time and space through the editing of these stored images.

### Digital Presence and Metadata
In the digital knowledge ecosystem, the film is identified by the alias "Mirror" and holds the specific Wikipedia title "Mirror (1975 film)." It maintains a sitelink count of 47, indicating a moderate level of documentation and cross-referencing across various online platforms. The entity is linked to broader categories such as "film," which has a sitelink count of 235, and "Soviet Union," which has 274 links. These connections place The Mirror within a vast network of related entities, including other films like Interstellar (2014) by Christopher Nolan, though the two are distinct in era and style. The data confirms the film's status as a well-documented historical artifact within the global knowledge base.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072443/)
2. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/mirror-1970)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072443/fullcredits)
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. The Movie Database
6. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072443/)
7. The Mirror. Rotten Tomatoes
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1347259)
10. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/de-spiegel-1/)
11. terjesztesre_kerulo_filmalkotasok_nyilvantartasa.xlsx
12. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
13. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/46907)
14. Bechdel Test Movie List
15. mymovies.it
16. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
17. Trakt.tv
18. FilmVandaag.nl