Stalker

'' A man writes because he is tormented, because he doubts. He needs to constantly prove to himself and the others that he's worth something. And if I know for sure that I'm a genius? Why write then? What the hell for? '' '' You can't be happy at the expense of other's unhappiness. '' -STALKER- Stalker is one of the most unique movies ever, it explores philosophical depths, it transcends standard storytelling - it takes a completely different approach on filmmaking. its an unforgettable piece of art. It is poetic, it explores the desires of one and other, its journey deep into the human spirit. Its the film that leaves questions, ideologic approaches, immense complexity. The shots are still and long, it doesn't go scene to scene rapidly, it embraces boredom, it gives room for question, it grows over you, it sinks into your psyche. When i finished the film, i woke up reincarnated, my senses heightened, i had questions, questions with no answers, that's the effect Tarkovsky forces on to you. Now for the thing that fascinated me the most, The Zone. The zone is primarily a dystopian waste land, said to contain a room that has the answers for anyone who seeks them. As the men journey though the barren, ancient and spiritually oppressing landscape, we see how Tarkovsky displays its phycological value, using the deep, rich colours, the overgrowth of the once functioning area, it has a calm, desolate ambience, no civilisation, just faded memories of the many that fell to the zones harsh persona. But as the film comes to an end, the true meaning behind the zone is unveiled. The zone is a metaphor, you can almost say its a mirror, its power is not in revealing its secrets, but in forcing you to confront your own. There is no answers, just realization. This was shown with porcupine, a man who was once a stalker, went to the room to revive his dead brother. But instead of his brother, he was granted wealth and fame, he later killed himself realising that he was only greedy, the zone exposes your true desires, that's the hidden lethality that the stalker warns the men about, it is a terrifying proposition. The zone is such a complex, edifying and philosophical place you just have to admire it. Moreover, I will now talk about the three characters, I will start with the protagonist, the stalker - the stalker is a man who devotes his life the zone, he has extreme faith in it yet doesn't seek its answers, he hates the normal life at home, its bleak, its dull, its lifeless. He is a guide through the zone and shows great compassion and fear for it at the same time. He is a man of mystery. Next up, The writer. The writer is an artist, he is in a distress over his work, that is why he seeks the zone, he wants ideas, creativity, a new view so his work can be masterful. We can see his desire for more, his doubts of his work, he is desperate. Finally, the professor, a man of science, he is sharp, rational, methodical. He seeks answers like the rest but ultimately becomes distrustful of the zones promises. Once again the zone explores your subconscious, seeks your true desire, not what you want. through on the journey, there are many inner conflicts, they are all on edge, tension arises, no one truly knows the power that bestows upon them. Stalker is a tension filled masterpiece, a triumph in filmmaking, and the movie as a whole is a question. Tarkovsky, you are nothing short of a fucking master mind. 100/100