When I was a child, marking time meant watching half a dozen family sitcoms. These days, we’re more likely to check Instagram than sit through even a standard-length film.

Sátántango, Béla Tarr’s Hungarian masterpiece from 1994, clocks in at an epic 7.5 hours. Its marathon runtime is a testament to the endurance required for this increasingly rare cinematic experience. The film offers a glimpse into a world where time seems to stretch and slow down, much like the pacing of its 60 times longer-than-average shots.

Slow cinema, a genre that includes Tarr’s work, challenges us to confront the fleeting nature of modern attention. It forces viewers to embrace patience and contemplation, qualities that seem as scarce now as they did when Tarr directed this epic tale of economic collapse in a Soviet farming commune. The film is not just long; it feels endless, much like the tedious tasks of daily life.

Watching Sátántango alongside 250 other dedicated souls provided a stark contrast to the fragmented attention spans so prevalent today. In the absence of phones or distractions, the shared experience highlighted the discipline required for prolonged periods of focus. It’s a reminder that such an extended engagement with art is not just rare but also deeply rewarding.