Water in the films of Andrei Tarkovsky
From left to right: two from Stalker; Andrei Rublev; Mirror; Nostalgia; The Sacrifice; two from Solaris
Water in the films of Tarkovsky (other motifs in his films include fire, dogs and horses) always looks so lush and inviting (when it doesn't include falling masonry). Characters in his films rarely change to bathe – they usually go into the water fully-clothed. His water is often subterranean and where it shouldn’t be; an abandoned building, a leaking ceiling (sometimes in a dream or fantasy sequence). Whatever its context, I always want to be in it. The camera lingers on it, zooms into it, characters stare at it, verdant underwater plants dance in it. Only the animated films of Studio Ghibli come close to showing the beauty of water.
Tarkovsky expressed his love of water in an interview (where it looks and sounds like he’s standing in a steam). Referring to Stalker: “In this film you will see a lot of water. I cannot explain why I like this element so much. Water is rather mysterious. It’s one of the most beautiful things in the world.”