An epic biopic of an artist that actually turns out to be Tarkovsky's world view of artistic freedom, political machinations, religious bullshit and government brutality. No wonder it was banned in Russia when he filmed it. Fortunately for us, we can now access the original cut.

It's depressing that in the 600 years since Rublev painted, nothing has changed. Religious leaders are still not Christ-like. Artists (and journalists like Khashoggi) are still repressed or killed if their political commentary gets too much attention. It's 2022 in the United States and Trump is allowed to try again for Presidency, while Julian Assange faces a death penalty for trying to tell citizens that the USA is building a surveillance state. Governments (Malaysia for example) are still brutal.

For all these above reasons and more, this film is of major significance. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.