The Greek film director Theo Angelopoulos, who has died yesterday aged 76 in a road accident, was an epic poet of the cinema, creating allegories of 20th-century Greek history and politics. He redefined the slow pan, the long take and tracking shots, of which he was a master. His stately, magisterial style and languidly unfolding narratives require some effort on the part of the spectator.

The above picture was taken during his last visit to Venice last year, when he was invited by Incroci di Civilta', a brilliant yearly festival that involves writers, authors, film directors, screen players etc etc but this is another story