Comments on: LACMA’s Andrei Tarkovsky Retrospective Starts NOW

By: Elijah

Elijah — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 04:20:31 +0000

stalker was based on a book by the strugatsky brothers ‘roadside picnic’. . .. it was solaris that was written by Lem….

amazing films though i really struggle to get through ‘Andrei Rubilev’
every time i try and watch it, it goes on and on and on and about half way through i completely lose track of whats going on with the plot haha. maybe ill check out the commentary that might shed some light on it.

By: Duane

Duane — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:14:09 +0000

I’m pretty sure, if I remember correctly, that even in Lem’s original book – the folks that guided people in to the Zone were called Stalkers. I wonder if he picked up the term as some odd translation from “stalking your prey” or something like that, it seems like an odd borrowing of a word – i’d think something like “seeker” would have been more accurate. I guess Lem was probably trying to go for something not so literal.

By: Kale Kip

Kale Kip — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:41:41 +0000

So “Stalker” is one of those words that cannot be translated, like “Fingerspitzengefühl”? Come on, have a go at it!

By: Tanya

Tanya — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:03:26 +0000

Kip: It’s actually never translated in the movie. That’s what they’re called. It’s pronnounced “STALL-KER” though, in Russian.

And woah, I’m stumped. I don’t know how I’d translate it…

By: christine

christine — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:11:55 +0000

I wish able to see this, but it’s a good reminder to look into some of Tarkovsky’s other films on my own. Stalker is one of my favorite films.

By: Kale Kip

Kale Kip — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:59:59 +0000

How would you russians actually translate “stalker”? Something like “collider” or what?

By: Tanya

Tanya — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:35:52 +0000

You have no idea how long I’ve been hunting for a reliable DVD of “Nostalghia” :( because every online retailer is either expensive, or I just don’t trust that I won’t get some weird little disc that’s in PAL and some region I can’t play. Meeeeeeeeh.

This needs to be happening HERE. My brain is a Tarkovsky movie set. I’ve seen “Solaris,” “Stalker,” and “Mirror” on the big screen. I need to see the rest!

By: Zoetica

Zoetica — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 19:25:53 +0000

AWW SHNEEP! My head is up and I have Mer to thank. Moohoohurghh.

By: Duane Bargar

Duane Bargar — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 18:42:32 +0000

Wow!!! Of all that can be said of the Soviet Era a highly missed idea is that (unless you ran a foul of the state) film makers were able to persue visions that would have been essential unviable in a commerically driven context. Not that there weren’t amazing films from the rest of the world but the manner in which the filming was executed, the length of time spent on shots, the ability to have cerebral sci-fi, exploring the concepts presented, and being brought to a wide audience was quite an unique side effect of not having to strive to create a blockbuster or award winner.
Stalker is such an incredible film, Artemiev’s sound track is amzing as well. I’m perpetually in awe of this work!

By: Tequila

Tequila — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:36:17 +0000

I shall have to see this…also the American Cinematheque here in LA is having a Sergio Leone retrospective the rest of this month AND an Elia Kazan one next month…worth checking out fellow cinema junkies.