Why are the end credits at the beginning of 'Tár?' Todd Field explains

"I hate explaining this stuff."

"Tár" is the first film written and directed by Todd Field in 16 years, so it is understandable that the filmmaker may be a little out of practice in spilling exactly what his work is about. But "Tár" is also a film very much made by its ambiguities, right from the very start as the film's end credits play in full near the beginning.

The film centers around the character of Lydia Tár (played by Cate Blanchett), a fictional composer and conductor who feels far too believably real. An EGOT winner, celebrated by the likes of the New Yorker and NPR, she is on the verge of publishing a memoir titled "Tár on Tár," and completing conducting a cycle of Mahler symphonies, both crowning achievements in her career. It all comes crashing down when years of abusing her power and privilege in ways great and small finally catch up with her.

Field is a three-time Oscar nominee, including nominations for the screenplays for his two previous films as director, 2001's "In The Bedroom" and 2006's "Little Children." For "Tár," he has already picked up a Gotham Award for the screenplay and seven Spirit Award nominations.

In his career as an actor before becoming a filmmaker, Field is perhaps best known for his role as Nick Nightingale, the piano player in "Eyes Wide Shut," the last film