100 Movies Every Catholic Should See #12: Stalker (1979)

Written and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. Starring Aleksandr Kaydanovskiy, Anatoliy Solonitsyn, Nikolay Grinko, and Alisa Freyndlikh.

“Art exists to give glory to God.”

- Andrei Tarkovsky

Out of the cold and brutal reign of Joseph Stalin, the second World War, and the continued destruction of tradition under the Soviet Union, arose the brightest beacon of Christianity in cinema: Andrei Tarkovsky.

A devout Russian Orthodox, Tarkovsky was a man from a long forgotten era of Russia, who wielded a modern artform to convey Renaissance ideas and beliefs. More often than not, we as Catholics are forced to pry and attempt to draw hidden meanings and implied messages from filmmakers, often being unable to determine if something is for religion or against it. With Tarkovsky, there is never a question of whether he is Christian or not, but rather what within Christianity he is attempting to discuss. 

With all this praise being sung, there is one disclaimer that must be given: Tarkovsky’s filmography is HIGHLY demanding. If one plans to embark on a cinematic odyssey, his films should be reserved for the home stretch. Tarkovsky films demand full attention and patience.