Acclaimed director dies aged 70 ‘after a long and serious illness’

EntertainmentMovie
6 Jan 2026 • 9:02 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr, celebrated for his distinctive works including Sátántangó and The Turin Horse, has died at the age of 70.
  • The European Film Academy announced his passing on Tuesday, January 6, stating he died "after a long and serious illness."
  • Tarr began his career at Balázs Béla Stúdió and released his feature directorial debut, Family Nest, in 1977.
  • He achieved international acclaim with his 1988 film Damnation and later adapted László Krasznahorkai’s Sátántangó into a seven-hour feature, widely regarded as a significant arthouse film.
  • The European Film Academy paid tribute to Tarr as an outstanding director and a personality with a strong political voice, respected by colleagues and celebrated by audiences globally.

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