This is the story of painter Hugues De Montalembert's life after becoming blind during an attack, in New York in 1978, his initial reaction to the situation, and a his powerful tale of determination to overcome all obstacles. Rather than being a negative tale of tragedy it paints an optimistic picture and focuses on the underlying fact that there are so many more serious situations faced by people throughout the world today. Gary Tarn has managed to capture visually and with superb use of music the essence of the story as told by Hugues himself, which includes a number of tremendously insightful anecdotes, a must see film for 2006.

Being born blind necessitates accommodation to the sighted world from day one, but what kind of struggle does a person face when blinded much later in life.In Hugues de Montalembert's case, not only was his sight taken away but it was the primary sense he utilized for maintaining his chosen profession as a painter. All it took was one mugger's desperate gesture to render him disabled and forever unemployed.Rather than try to re-create the circumstances and do a straight interview with Hugues, director Gary Tarn has undertaken a much more artistic approach to show just what has been lost when you leave the sighted world for one of darkness or extreme blurriness.While Hugues retells his struggles during the intervening years, the screen is filled with images of life in New York city and occasionally the blurry view that Hugues would have of the same scenes the viewer can observe with perfect clarity.Not for all tastes, but if you're sick of 'talking-head' fact-flicks then this meditation on loss and rehabilitation could be of value. You never know when you might find yourself struck blind either accidentally or as the victim of a crime. This film helps to fill in some of the details of that worst-case scenario.

I saw this movie at the 2006 International Film Festival of Rotterdam. The director was present at the screening for a Q&A.Painter Hugues de Montalembert lost his eyesight when he became the victim of a tragic crime. He managed to pick up life in a remarkable way. He became pretty independent and traveled to Asia and Europe. He wrote his first book during a stay in Indonesia.This is a documentary with a strong visual signature. The director supports Montalembert's narrative with vivid colorful images. As a spectator you, may often get the feeling that you are seeing through the subject's eyes (Montalembert is blind indeed, but still has a very visual way of experiencing the world, as we learn). Montalembert's hands are briefly visible during a scene where he tells a funny anecdote about loosing 14 written pages from his manuscript, Other than that, he is only present by voice and narrative. All of this works very well, I think.The director was originally a composer, here debuting with his first feature. Not surprisingly, the music is also a strong ingredient in the mix.As someone who has a background as a visual artist, I was fascinated by the well composed real story. Montalembert's experience of a very perceptive person becoming blind is quite valuable to become a part of. It's a good thing that this is not some depressed story about a man with a handicap. Quite on the contrary, Montalembert's life tale is often moving, but there are also quite a number of laughs.Recommended if you are interested in the subject and if you appreciate a visually spectacular cinematic experience. 8/10

Black Sun is one of the best movies I have ever seen. I suggest that every film maker who is interested in the potential of film see it. The beauty is so incredible that it will reawaken your visual sense. I highly recommend it for people experiencing the visual burnout that often comes from staring at editing software on a computer screen for too long, or as an anecdote for a jaded mentality.The presentation of disability also is very well done, and not in the least depressing. The audio could stand on its own as a film for the blind, or if subtitles replaced the sound it would be excellent for the deaf as well.