Stalker (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1979)

About 20 years ago, they say a meteorite fell here. It razed the settlement. They searched for it, but they found nothing, of course.

Why “of course”?

Then people began to vanish. Finally, it was decided —

- Well?

Finally, it was decided that this meteorite was not quite a meteorite. So, for a start they put up barbed wire to stop the inquisitive taking risks. Then rumors began that somewhere in the Zone there’s a place where desires come true. Well, naturally, they started to guard the Zone like a treasure. For who knows what desires a person might have? 

Stalker (1979) dir. Andrei Tarkovsky

The surreal beauty of Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker (1979)

on the set of Stalker (1979) Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky

“Пусть исполнится то, что задумано. Пусть они поверят. И пусть посмеются над своими страстями; ведь то, что они называют страстью, на самом деле не душевная энергия, а лишь трение между душой и внешним миром. А главное, пусть поверят в себя и станут беспомощными как дети, потому что слабость велика, а сила ничтожна. Когда человек родится, он слаб и гибок, когда умирает, он крепок и чёрств. Когда дерево растёт, оно нежно и гибко, а когда оно сухо и жёстко, оно умирает. Чёрствость и сила спутники смерти, гибкость и слабость выражают свежесть бытия. Поэтому что отвердело, то не победит.”

СТАЛКЕР / STALKER (1979)
dir. Andrei Tarkovsky

Stalker (1979)
dir Andrei Tarkovsky

As for me, I haven’t seen one happy man in my life.

Stalker | Andrei Tarkovsky | 1979

About 20 years ago, they say a meteorite fell here. It razed the settlement. They searched for it, but they found nothing, of course.

Why “of course”?

Then people began to vanish. Finally, it was decided —

- Well?

Finally, it was decided that this meteorite was not quite a meteorite. So, for a start they put up barbed wire to stop the inquisitive taking risks. Then rumors began that somewhere in the Zone there’s a place where desires come true. Well, naturally, they started to guard the Zone like a treasure. For who knows what desires a person might have? 

Stalker (1979) dir. Andrei Tarkovsky

Andrei Tarkovsky filming Stalker, 1979. Photos by Gueorgui Pinkhassov.