The 1972 science fiction movie ‘Solaris’, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky and based on a novel by the same name, is considered one of the most influential and thought-provoking movies of its time. It tells the story of a psychologist who is sent to a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris to investigate strange happenings. This psychological study of man-machine interaction has been hailed as a cinematic masterpiece and continues to be discussed and debated in film classes around the world.
The movie follows Kris Kelvin (Donatas Banionis), a psychologist who is sent to investigate why the crew at an isolated space station orbiting Solaris is behaving strangely. Upon his arrival he discovers that strange phenomena are occurring aboard the ship, including visions of people from his past that no one else can see. As he attempts to unravel what is happening, he comes to realize that Solaris itself is somehow connected with these events, that it can manipulate physical objects and create replicas of people from its visitors’ memories.
The movie explores themes such as human relationships, man’s relationship with nature, technology, and mortality. The idea behind it seems to be that human beings are not always in control of their lives or their environment, but rather they are subject to forces beyond their understanding. This concept creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense throughout the film which keeps viewers engaged until its conclusion. Additionally, Solaris raises questions about identity and morality as it examines how our memories shape our behavior and views on life.
In addition to its sophisticated storyline, Solaris also boasts stunning visuals which were groundbreaking for its time period. Cinematographer Vadim Yusov created visuals which were both hauntingly beautiful and unnerving—perfectly capturing the mood of this psychological drama set in space. Slow pacing adds tension during pivotal moments while long shots allow viewers to take in every detail without missing any crucial information or pieces of dialogue. Together with composer Eduard Artemiev’s unsettling score, these visuals make for an immersive viewing experience which will stay with you long after you have finished watching it.
Overall, Andrei Tarkovsky’s movie ‘Solaris’ remains one of cinema’s most important works today due to its thought provoking themes and stunning visuals which still stand up even after almost fifty years since its release date. If you’re looking for a thought provoking sci-fi movie which will challenge your views on life then this classic should definitely be at the top your list! Whether you’re already familiar with this classic work or if you’ve never seen it before – go ahead and give it try! You won’t regret it!