Stalker

CONTAINS SPOILERS This film is incredible. Tarkovsky’s Stalker is the first of his films that I’ve seen and it is truly perfect. From the first shots of the film, you’re immediately immersed in this desolate landscape with hopelessness around every turn. The grainy, almost yellow tinted shots of the houses, buildings, and the rest of the city, prior to entering the Zone, provide a dreadful backdrop for the beginnings of this film. Through an analysis of the technical aspects, the deep themes presented, and the interplay of the presented characters, I’ll provide my thoughts on all of these ideas and, hopefully, provide a new insight or perspective into this masterpiece of a film. For starters, I want to talk about the technicalities of the film. The acting in this film is absolutely phenomenal. Along with this, the cinematography and shot composition is absolutely unreal. The shots depicting the 3 main characters standing in the doorway when answering that phone or when he does the ‘circular’ long shots, in that, he’ll go from one side of the shot to the other and then back to the beginning side before cutting to a new location/different shot or angle, are truly brilliant. The whole section within the sand covered room after the ‘meat grinder’ looks insanely good as well. The score and structure/plot were phenomenal too, however, the greatest part of the film to me were the themes presented. The two main themes that resonated with me most and that I wanted to discuss in my review are the themes of Desire and Blind Faith. The first theme I want to discuss is that of desire. The questions posed and answered about desire within the film are pertinent to the human experience and human nature itself. When all that you desire has been received, what more is there to desire? In turn, what is happiness if not the act of desire itself? When desire is answered, it doesn’t instantly mean all goes right and that dreams come true. When desire is answered, a hole is left in its place; a new yearning for something to yearn for. Thus, the lack of desire or the fulfillment of one’s desires is a curse. The nature of humans is excess; to constantly seek out more. Each individual has their own desires. They may hold communal or group desires, but each person’s desires are unique to them. However, all of a person’s desires can’t be fulfilled in the time presented to us. When the characters arrive at the Room, they argue and discuss the ramifications of actually entering this room. Their desires would be fulfilled, and what could they then desire for? The Writer’s fear in this scene is indicative of the idea that fulfillment doesn’t bring one happiness, but instead provides a deep emptiness. However, the innate want for more can never be fulfilled, rather, it can be satiated through hardships and suffering faced when chasing other desires specific to one’s self. As the Stalker states in one of his monologues, “For what they call passion is not the energy of the soul, but merely friction between the soul and the outside world,” one thing will always remain true whether a desire is fulfilled or not; there will always be outside adversity in some form to the achievement of your desires. I also want to discuss the theme of Blind Faith that is prevalent throughout the entirety of the film. One of the main ways this theme is present is through the interplay of the three main characters. The idea of blind faith is explored deeply throughout the film, whether it be through the Stalker’s faith in the Zone, the Writer’s faith in art, or the Professor’s faith in science. Tarkovsky critiques this idea of blind faith, in any institution or ideology, and posits that faith is much more complex. He challenges the ideas of blind faith by presenting how blind faith does not lead to any sort of fulfillment, but is rather a long, arduous road fraught with doubt and uncertainty that can negatively impact you and those around you. Tarkovsky doesn’t outright reject faith, however, he holds disdain for blind faith. His suggested solution; Balance. Through the balance of doubt/introspection and faith, one could possibly find fulfillment through the analysis, exploration, and examination of their own faith. Next, I wanted to discuss the characters of the film, specifically the Stalker, Writer, and Professor. Within these 3 characters are 3 different archetypes, all of which pertain to the ideas of desire or blind faith that I discussed previously. The Stalker represents the Idealist or the Prophet, selflessly guiding others into the Zone, with this almost religious fervor regarding the Zone itself. He believes it to be this entity that can provide redemption. He later talks about how everything he has is within the Zone, how he wants to move his family out there with him, reinforcing his blind faith and almost obsessive behaviors surrounding the Zone. The Writer represents the Skeptic or Truth Seeker. He holds deep doubt about the actual abilities of the Zone, and the abilities of himself. He continuously challenges the Stalker’s beliefs and methods regarding the Zone. He believes in the power of art, but doesn’t understand his own beliefs or expressions. His journey embodies him seeking this truth about himself; what does he believe? What does he desire? The Professor represents a Neutral or Rational archetype. He approaches all the issues he faces in the film with logic and tries his best to mitigate damages caused by his or others actions. He views the Zone as something to be studied and wants to attain the knowledge contained within. For a brief moment, he contemplated destroying the Room, this holy temple of the Stalker, but seemingly decided against it, tossing his bomb into the water within. The complex relationship explored between these three characters and the themes of desire and blind faith in the film provide for great discourse about the messages within the film. The relationship between the characters and themes highlights the idea of faith vs. doubt, as the interplay between the characters in many scenes highlights how each of their blind faith leads to their own problems and revelations. These blind faiths that they hold shape their desires, as the Stalker desires to live within and understand the Zone, the Writer desires to understand his Art, and the Professor desires to understand all things through his science. With this, each character desires an understanding of their own faith and an understanding of what it means to be fulfilled. Each character’s journey in the film reflects a different blind faith, but all characters are given the same result from their grappling with their faith; the obscurity of truth and fulfillment. The grappling between their desires and blind faith that occurs throughout the film results in a hopeless ending; a commentary on how humanity itself has turned into a cynical society. Lastly, the symbolism present throughout this film was masterful. I don’t usually talk about this in reviews, but, as this is my first Tarkovsky film, I wanted to analyze it much deeper. First, the constant syringe and spoon imagery, whether it be in the water, on a side table, on the ground, or anywhere, whenever the Stalker was present or had just been seen. I believe this was indicative of how the Stalker treats the Zone; as a vice for his addiction. He’s addicted to the Zone, much like how one would be addicted to heroin (hence the syringe and spoon). He indicates this through his language surrounding the Zone in his teary monologue near the entrance to the Room, wherein, he talks about how everything he loves is held within the Zone and how he relies on it. Second, the three characters are often represented breaking off from the group or traveling ahead when nearing the Zone. This represents the different paths to one’s desires, as each person holds their own unique desires and the path in which one must take to achieve these is different no matter who you are. Third, and probably the most interesting symbol, is the Black Dog that follows the three men through the Zone and comes out with them. The imagery of a black dog represents an omen of death in many cultures, but I don’t think it’s that straightforward in the film. The dog, to me, represents the abandonment of faith; an existential dread that follows the three characters from the moments they begin to question their blind faith, to the end of the film. The journey that the three men embark on is fully realized with this symbol, as the men, specifically the Stalker, can be seen feeding and playing with the dog in the bar at the end of the film. This indicates an acceptance of this dread; the characters have accepted that their faith may have been misplaced and, in turn, that their desires may be as well. Fourth is the symbolism surrounding the water in this film. Shots focusing on water commonly preceded the shifts in states of time or consciousness that the characters would experience. One example of this is when the Stalker can be seeing lying near a dirty pool of water and then, it flashes back to his time in the city with his family. With this, water represents a transition; literally and metaphorically. It represents the fluidity of time within the film, as well as the shifting beliefs, faiths, and desires of the characters. Fifth and finally, the crown of thorns made out of the branch that the Writer picks up and puts on. This symbol represents the perceived suffering of the Writer through his seeking of the truth and of inspiration. The Writer is constantly questioning everything; it’s almost like his curse. This curse that he bears, of eternal questioning and searching, is being compared to the burden that Christ bears within mythology of Christianity. The Writer perceives himself as bearing the sin of all Artists; the need for immortality. The Writer constantly doubts his own abilities, however, he also expresses the want to create something timeless. Something to be “read in 100 years” is all that he seemingly desires but when confronted with the idea of achieving this, he doesn’t go through with it. The Writer doesn’t embrace faith and instead embraces skepticism and cynicism. His lack of faith in the Zone, art, humanity, or anything greater than himself at all reflects his own fears; He knows that his art or the Zone will not answer his existential questions. He knows that they can not quench his deepest desire. For the desire that will remain, is the desire for more. Overall, this film was insane. A philosophical rollercoaster that explores themes of desire and blind faith through different characters and their interactions with the Zone and each other. Tarkovsky is a true master and I can’t wait to watch more of his films. This is definitely one I’m going to have to revisit many, many times before I can fully appreciate it, however, what I did grasp through this viewing has resonated very deeply with me. This may be the best film I’ve ever seen and, to finish off, here are some of my favorite quotes from the film: May everything come true.  May they believe.  And may they laugh at their own passions.  For what they call passion is not the energy of the soul, but merely friction between the soul and the outside world. You dream of one thing and get something quite different. Mankind exists to create works of art. They don’t believe in anything. Their capacity for faith has been atrophied—through a lack of use.