Solaris (1972)

We arrive on a dilapidated space station orbiting the planet of Solaris after a lengthy trip aboard a cramped and humid shuttle. All we know about the planet is that it resembles an infinite sea, and that the station has reported multiple sightings of “guests” that the planet is somehow able to manifest. Is the planet attempting to communicate with the cosmonauts on the station, or is it simply observing the scientists while they observe it? Solaris, Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 outing into the science fiction genre, attempts to answer the question of whether or not morality is tied to knowledge and, in this case especially, scientific progress. In humanity’s quest for unadulterated Truth, is there no limit, restriction, or condition that should be put in place to safeguard itself, amongst others, against possible repercussions that can be triggered at the slightest misstep? With dazzling and dreamlike imagery, bittersweet hymns of nostalgia, and a resounding call to action for transcending the shackles of mortality through spirituality, Solaris stands as one cinema’s greatest explorations of morality and humankind’s place in the cosmos. “We don’t want to conquer space at all. We want to expand Earth endlessly. We don’t want other worlds; we want a mirror. We seek contact and will never achieve it. We are in the foolish position of a man striving for a goal he fears and doesn’t want. Man needs man!” As always, thank you for listening and we hope you enjoy the discussion. Where to watch: Criterion Channel (Stream) Vudu (Rent or Buy) YouTube (Rent or Buy) Amazon (Rent or Buy) iTunes (Rent or Buy) Instagram: @lefilmpodcast Twitter: @lefilmpod Send us questions, feedback, and film recommendations at: [email protected] 01:06 Return to the Movie Theaters: Spiral: From the Book of Saw, Army of the Dead 01:50 The Phase of Torture Films: Human Centipede, Hostel, The Hills Have Eyes, Wrong Turn 04:08 Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet 04:53 Pelin Esmer’s Something Useful 06:19 Sopranos 09:50 Pulp Fiction, Favorite Tarantino Film 11:57 Attack on Titan Season 3 12:30 Game of Thrones 13:13 Annoying TV/Film Tropes 15:36 AoT English Dub is Good! 19:07 Sopranos Transcending the Mobster/Crime Genre 22:45 Solaris (1972) Review 34:38 Vadim Yusov’s Significance as Cinematographer 38:20 Science-fiction Viewed as a “Safe” Genre to Explore 55:25 Solaris Spoilers - Andrei Tarkovsky on Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey 1:05:02 Elliptical Storytelling 1:08:20 Anatoliy Solonitsyn 1:54:08-1:55:42 Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket Spoilers 1:56:07-1:56:35 Elem Klimov’s Come and See Spoilers 1:56:56 Morality Tied to Knowledge 2:05:21 Inner Totems of Self Actualization: Berserk, Neon Genesis: Evangelion, Solaris, Star Trek the Next Generation, Monster, Eternal Sunshine, The Before Trilogy