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Solaris
Солярис
1972 167 min Soviet Union PG 12+
★8.2
Drama, Science Fiction, Mystery
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
🎭 Based on
«Solaris»
byStanisław Lem
Trailers
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Description
A psychologist is sent to a space station orbiting a planet called Solaris to investigate the death of a doctor and the mental problems of cosmonauts on the station. He soon discovers that the water on the planet is a type of brain which brings out repressed memories and obsessions.
US Gross:
$22,168
Starring
Natalya Bondarchuk
Actor
Donatas Banionis
Actor
Jüri Järvet
Actor
Awards
Cannes Film Festival 1972
— Grand Jury Prize
Cannes Film Festival 1972
— FIPRESCI Prize
Saturn Awards 1977
— Golden Scroll – Best Science Fiction Film
Cannes Film Festival 1972
— Palme d'Or
Key opinion
Andrei Tarkovsky's Solaris is widely regarded as a profound, meditative masterpiece that prioritizes internal human psychology over traditional science fiction tropes. While viewers are nearly unanimous in their admiration for its visual artistry and philosophical depth, there is significant debate regarding its pacing and fidelity to Stanisław Lem's original source material.
| Theme | The film effectively shifts the focus of the science fiction genre from cosmic exploration to an introspective examination of human guilt, conscience, and the unconscious mind. | |
| Production | Each frame is meticulously composed, functioning as a work of visual art that utilizes contrast and setting to deepen the narrative's atmospheric intensity. | |
| Acting | Natalya Bondarchuk's performance provides the emotional anchor of the film, capturing the complexity of a manifestation grappling with its own existence. | |
| Pacing | The deliberately slow, contemplative tempo is hailed by some as essential for immersion, while others find it drags and occasionally hinders narrative cohesion. | |
| Adaptation | Tarkovsky’s decision to prioritize psychological drama over the novel’s philosophical focus on the limits of cognition alienates some purists, though others argue it creates a superior, more personal work. |