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Speaking of Tarkovsky films, I see that "The Stalker" has been released on dvd by Image. A 2 disk set with different scores,I believe. I really like this film, imagry and dialogue of the metaphysical and the banal.
Follow Ups:
Awhile back I was inspired to write a review for 'Stalker' on IMDB.com after re-viewing the film. I've pasted in a copy here if anyone feels so inclined to read it over.(There's a fairly excellent British website called the Jigsaw Lounge with a nice section devoted to Tarkovsky that's also well worth checking out. You can access this at www.jigsawlounge.co.uk/film/tarkovskylounge.html )
Here's what I wrote...
*Poetry...? Alchemy...? Or something else?*
This film seems to occupy a realm of perception akin to that of the prismatic reflection of light cast across your kitchen counter as the sun plays through it; or that of the whispering angular shadow of a swaying tree outside your window, beamed onto your ceiling & slowly drifting across the room with the track of the sun. Both are singular phenomena and abstractions of light which one can embrace and perhaps even acheive some level of revelation through if the mind is allowed to 'lose the moment' as it were and embrace the uncommon beauty and inexplicable strangeness that such a simple event can generate. Just as easily, one can simply cast it aside; leave it unnoticed and nothing more than a wisp of light at the peripheral edge of vision. Stalker is, as well, one of these "abstractions of light", a flickering presence on the screen open to interpretation. One that may be fully absorbed and taken to heart as an illumination of the soul or brushed aside as nothing more than a faceless and futile attempt at 'nothingness'. Perhaps one may find their focus drifting in such a way that only a few fragments may be fully digested, comprehended and sifted through the back door of the intellect; vague impressions of no particular form or figure. Perhaps one could watch (and re-watch) this film and adopt all of the above viewpoints. Stalker is "that kind" of a film and one which is bound to polarize viewers. Unquestionably slow and brooding, yet uncommonly strange and beautiful by turns. It's meaning is shrouded and the ultimate resolution is tied up in metaphysical abstractions whose meanings are not entirely clear. One of the most impressive aspects of the film (and much of Tarkovsky's work) is it's ability to render the simplest images in a manner that transforms them into poetic distillations of a very high order. Tarkovsky is truly a visual alchemist of the highest order, as this film will certainly attest. Watch this film, take it for what it is, and leave with whatever impression and/or opinions you see fit. You may find yourself thoroughly bored or completely enthralled, but there is one thing that is certain. Whether you know it or not, a transformation of some order will have taken place. As the alchemists of yore would tell you, though the transformation of lead to gold may seem an utterly futile, unrewarding and ultimately impossible task, it is the transformation of the self during this process that really counts.
Bryan K.,
Music Lover & President-elect of C.C.A.C. (Concerned Citizens Against Cilantro)
a russian company called rusicico puts out tarkovsky films on dvd (see ruscico.com). their transfers are much better than image's, are anamorphic widescreen for widescreen titles, and have removeable english subtitles.of ruscico's tarkovsky dvds, i've only seen solaris, but it was very nice, sharp and clean. a couple distributors in nyc and LA seem to sell these titles on ebay regularly, or you can try buying from their web site directly.
As much as I love Tarkovsky, I was not able to finish the Stalker. We tried several times, making small progress each time... but still no.Perhaps because I never liked the Strugatski brothers - the writers of the novel. Good actors, but something just doesn't click.
Should I try once again?
Basically just 2 word Stalker and Zona
I don't think I ever finished any of their novels, so I'll take your word. I always concidered them super-intellectual cult kaka nor worthy any serious attention. But their popularity was staggering.Much like the Arthur Hailey's "Airport". You had to wait in like for months to get to read it. Both my wife and I were bevildered when it was finally was our turn. But some Russian "intellectuals" would argue hotly.
Someone gave my wife the Strugatsky book recently, saying: "You missed it all, try it this time seriously". She tried. She simply can't read that stuff.
To enjoy the Stalker it is probably best to have no actual familiarity with Russia
Tarkovsky takes us from the opening scene (which is a magnificent piece of understatement in itself) on to a place so far removed from what most Westerners are familiar with, that it could be the dark side of the moon.
Cleverly, Tarkovsky familiarises the audience with the bleak interiors and wide expanses, until by the films end, when the wife slips on the ice at the entrance to the bar, it could be our own front door
The seamless way the film goes from Black and White, to Sepia, to Color I've never seen in any other film
Tarkovsky plays a trick with the viewers perception of space and time when the travellers get lost in the "Zone" at one point that's also very clever; they come back to the same spot they started from as if no time had passed, it's quite eery
It's a most unusual film that is certainly not to most peoples taste, I think it's Tarkovskys greatest film, the acting and the dialog are low key but very well crafted
Let's see if they can do a remake of that, with George Clooney as the Stalker
Eric
Tokyo
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