The Dust of Time

To trace the fading past of his parents, a grizzled Greek-American filmmaker decides to shoot a movie. By recounting the painful efforts of his mother to reunite with his musician father, his film spans more than half of the 20th century.

Directed by Theo Angelopoulos, The Dust of Time leans on a strong ensemble — Willem Dafoe, Bruno Ganz, Michel Piccoli — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2008.