Tarkovsky is one of the best movie directors of all time. He is famous for his masterpieces like Mirror, Solaris, Stalker, The Sacrifice and others. 

This blog post is about Solaris , the first Tarkovsky movie I saw. Solaris is a science fiction movie based on a novel by Stanislaw Lem. It explores the nature of humanity and our relationship with the unknown. The story follows Kris Kelvin, a psychologist who is sent to a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris to investigate strange occurrences among the crew. 

The film begins with Kelvin leaving Earth and traveling through a breathtakingly beautiful outer space landscape. Tarkovsky's use of color and composition is stunning as always. This sets the stage for the rest of the film, which is just as visually striking. When Kelvin arrives at the station, he discovers that the crew is experiencing weird hallucinations and delusions brought on by the planet's strange properties. The best thing about this part is that it's unclear whether the crew knows what is happening. The crew members' deceased loved ones are constantly appearing in their hallucinations while at the station. Kelvin himself is visited by his deceased wife, Hari and the film becomes a meditation on the nature of grief, memory and human connection. 

One of the most remarkable things about this film is its pace. The film moves slowly and deliberately, with long takes and extended sequences of silence. This slow cinema allows the viewers to really inhabit the space and feel the weight of Kelvin's loneliness and the oppressive atmosphere of the station. Tarkovsky's use of framing and composition is exquisite, creating powerful images that are memorable. The way he shoots the planet Solaris itself is particularly noteworthy. We never get a clear view of the planet's surface, but rather see it as an abstract, swirling mass of color and light. The film's themes of grief, memory, and human connection are universal. The performances are excellent. The relationship between Kelvin and Hari is particularly moving, as are the painful memories that come with it. Kelvin's character has a sort of quiet intensity, conveying his inner turmoil with understated grace. The character Hari is equally impressive, it conveys a sense of innocence and otherness that is crucial for the nostalgic feeling that she gives Kelvin as she only exists in his delusional memories.

Tarkovsky avoids the typical trappings of the genre, such as flashy special effects. Instead, he focuses on the psychological and emotional implications of encountering something inhumane. This gives the film a timeless quality that sets it apart from other sci-fi films.

Some say that Tarkovsky is a terrible storyteller, but you can never underestimate his philosophical viewpoints and the stunning visuals throughout the film.