Solaris (Spacewalks)

Show & Culture

Solaris USSR 1972 | Andrei Tarkovsky | vostEN | 166' | digital | Cast: Natalia Bondartchouk, Donatas Banionis, Anatoli Solonitsyne | Based on the novel by Stanislaw Lem A psychologist is sent to a space station orbiting the planet Solaris to investigate the death of a doctor and the mental problems of the cosmonauts on board. He soon discovers that the water on the planet is a type of brain that brings out repressed memories and obsessions. “Proves the yin to Kubrick's yang, not out of contrarian longing, but because that was the form best suited for the content Tarkovsky wanted to explore.” (Slant Magazine) “More an exploration of inner than of outer space, Tarkovsky's eerie mystic parable is given substance by the filmmaker's boldly original grasp of film language and the remarkable performances by all the principals.” (Chicago Reader) “A philosophical drama and a touchstone of the cinematic impetus to unravel what it is to be alive.” (1001 Films, Ed. Quintessence)