«Stalker», when the camera spies on the fantastic

In the packed auditorium of the Cinématographe in Lausanne, a restored version of the famous Stalker was screened on Tuesday. Let's take a look back at Andrei Tarkovsky's film, a feature-length film full of mysticism and masterful imagery.

The Zone is a forbidden area under military surveillance. According to legend, it hides a chamber capable of granting one’s most secret desires. Some defy military restrictions with the help of guides known as «stalkers.» Only these guides know the Zone and are able to navigate its traps, which change depending on the personalities of those who pass through them. A writer and a professor, accompanied by a Stalker, thus set out on this dangerous expedition.

Keep your eyes and ears open

Each shot is a standalone tableau. The frontal composition and the perfect harmony between the settings and the subjects bring to light an impressive technical mastery. By playing with the background and framing, Tarkovsky succeeds in revealing a genuine dynamic between the characters and their environment. Always centered and often framed, the protagonists are at times enveloped by the power of nature, and at other times oppressed by the bleakness of the city. The positioning of the characters within the frame is meticulously considered.

Read also | A Look Back at a Picnic by the Side of the Road

Thus, the film offers viewers a series of scenes, each more harmonious than the last. The depth of field allows viewers to fully appreciate the beauty of the vegetation, a fundamental theme in the director’s work. Through a discreet camera that often relies solely on tracking shots or static shots, Andrei Tarkovsky reveals his genius.

The cinematography is not the only strength of this classic. The use of sound is subtle but essential to the trio’s quest. While the music—which the director himself described as «muffled, barely audible»—occasionally punctuates the imagery, the interplay of intradiegetic sounds builds the story’s fantastical dimension. This sonic strangeness stems from the collaboration with Edouard Artemiev, a composer who worked on three of Tarkovsky’s films. Through the use of electronic music, most of the naturalistic sounds are altered, creating an experimental and unusual soundtrack. The combination of subtle music that runs throughout the film and sounds tinged with unreality invites the viewer to question their own reality: are they really hearing these sounds, or are they a product of their imagination?

On the Right Path

This question reflects the director’s central intention: the theme of perpetual doubt. The film has a unique atmosphere, oscillating between clarity and confusion. Amid the characters’ philosophical musings and the moments when dreamlike imagery takes over, the group continues to move toward the room. Through the fantastical detours that Tarkovsky offers—sometimes visually, sometimes through sound, or through the winding paths they take—all converge toward a single goal: the quest for meaning and faith. While the film’s length may be off-putting at times, it nonetheless reflects the meandering progression of this introspection and underscores the hypnotic atmosphere that pervades the narrative.

The consistently obscure dialogue sometimes seems to walk a fine line and is intended for a discerning audience. However, the beauty of the staging, the soundscape, the actors’ performances, and the sets temper this impression. The simplicity of the plot, which follows the rules of Aristotelian tragedy, in no way hinders the creation of multiple interpretations of the work.

Read also | Our Special Feature on Tarkovsky

Watching this fantastic adventure—considered a masterpiece—is a delightful trip down memory lane. The Swiss Film Archive is offering a surprising and eclectic program that will appeal to both film buffs and curious viewers alike.

Write to the author: leila.favre@leregardlibre.com

Stalker © Janus Films

You've just read an open-access article. Debates, analysis, cultural news: subscribe to support us and get access to all our content!