Stalker
Oh my God.
Despite its conceptual simplicity, that essentially being 3 men just walking for 2 hours, that was the most poetic and evocative film I’ve ever watched. Tarkovsky captures emotions and feelings like no other director I’ve ever seen.
Tarkovsky’s prolonged wide shots specifically stood out to me. I believe it is just such a captivating way of evoking emotion. We have these 3 completely different men, all are reliant on each other in this strange land, yet they just sit there, completely absorbed by their OWN inner turmoil and guilt. This links to the hypocrisy of the writer, who constantly criticised the Stalker for being a Stalker - yet is obsessed with being morally superior to his two counterparts. Tarkovsky’s use of these shots also represents time like no other shot is capable of.
Tarkovsky also explores themes of religion, time etc. However, he also explores imprisonment profusely. Perhaps, this is suggesting that the three men, who are so frightened of being imprisoned, are in fact closer to being detained by their own turmoil and emotions than they ever will be by handcuffs.
Overall, Stalker is superb and one of the greatest films I’ve ever watched. I’ve never appreciated this type of film, the melancholy, long type - but, after watching someone do it as flawlessly as Tarkovsky, I think I’m obsessed. I’m desperate to watch Ivan’s Childhood now, I think it will be just as good.