Favorite Directors Series: #1

This post is in honor of my favorite (and arguably the greatest) filmmaker of all time:

Andrei Tarkovsky

More than just a filmmaker, Tarkovsky is a poet, philosopher and overall artistic genius. His visual style and highly thought provoking films are something to be admired. He deserves a place in film history for years to come.

His first film Ivan's Childhood is a masterful debut. Though some may say it's not on par with his later works, it still remains a beautiful film about the loss of innocence in an increasingly hostile world.

Ivan's Childhood was the first Tarkovsky film I ever saw and I was instantly drawn to hid style (especially in the visual sense). His use of contrasting darkness and light as well as his somewhat disjointed style of storytelling intrigued me.

The second film from Tarkorvsky that I saw was Stalker, which did nothing short of blowing my mind. The tale of a man who is called a Stalker who leads two other men through this mysterious area called The Zone. Somewhere inside this Zone (it is rumored) lies a room that, upon entering, grants you your deepest desire.

One of the first films to keep me awake at night, I pondered it for days going over scenes in my head and using all the brain power I had to figure out what it was saying. And to this day I still don't think I fully understand it.


Stalker is like a work of art. You can pause the DVD at any time and it would just look as if some wonderful painter had worked his magic on your television screen.

As well as being chock full of interesting themes to stir around in your head such as the purpose of faith, the worth of living and the necessity of the unknown. My favorite film from an amazing filmmaker.


Solyaris is a slow film. It's even slower than Kubrick's similar 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is the story of a man who is sent to a space station that hovers over the mysterious planet of Solyaris. He is sent there to investigate some strange goings-on in the station. When he arrives he is shocked by the reappearance of his dead wife. Although he soon comes to find that it isn't his wife at all; just a projection of her from the planet Solyaris.







This film is one of the most difficult I have ever watched - in a good way. Featuring some of the most amazing visual imagery of all time, as well as what is one of the most shocking endings of all time.


The Mirror is the true definition of art on film. It's the story of a faceless protagonists life that we are told through a series of dream and flashback sequences. It's a film that you basically aren't allowed to understand; but the awe inspiring visuals are enough to distract you away from the fact that you have no clue whats happening.






Strangely enough, even though I didn't know what was going on, I was still moved emotionally by this film. And when I finished it I went straight to the computer to rate it 10/10 for being one of the most beautiful things to ever be committed to film.


The surreal manner in which this film was presented, shot and even paced was like I'd never seen before. Tarkovsky is able to take us on a journey and if one can forget their perceptions of traditional narrative; allowing themselves to be swept away by the emotional experience of this film, it is quite rewarding.

Andrei Rublev is a story of an icon painter in the 15th Century. We watch as he goes on a spiritual journey in the midst of endless fighting between rival Princes and by Tatar invasions.

Though it clocks in at almost four hours, I was never bored or impatient. In typical hypnotic and meditative Takovsky fashion, Andrei's story was painted like one of the painters works of art. Of course, visually fascinating and emotionally rich. It is this ability of Tarkovsky's that made him such a genius in film making.

The manner in which Tarkovsky depicted spiritual depravity and hunger for something beyond oneself was highly relatable to my life. It was a film about the fragility of faith, and how easily moved to doubt humans can be. A powerful statement. Plus, this films ending should be placed on lists among the greats.

Finally, The Sacrifice was Tarkovsky's final film and one of his most confusing.

The story of a man named Alexander. On his birthday, suddenly it is announced that the third World War has broken out. In his fear and desperation, he cries out to God and asks him to end the war. He says that he will sacrifice everything: his family, friends, home and beloved son, if only the war will stop.

I had difficulty with this film. Something about it made it hard to connect and even more difficult to grasp than Tarkovsky's other work. Technically, the film is a triumph. Filled with long takes and rich symbolism this is one that I'll roll around in my head for many weeks to come.

I love Tarkovsky for many reasons. His depth, subtlety, use of symbolism, visual style, etc. are admirable and well crafted. He is a genius of the art of film. I think what draws me the most to his work, however, is his emotional complexity and resonance. Every one of his films, in some way, moved me and/or made me re-examine my life. Heck, Stalker changed my entire perception on the meaning of faith.

As I grow older and have kids of my own, I want to introduce them to Tarkovksy because he's really not worth missing. I would highly recommend- if you have the time, patience, and will to put thought into a film experience- to check him out. There's a lot there if one is willing to find it.

UP NEXT: Stanley Kubrick