For a while, I looked up all Tarkovsky's films, documentaries, interviews, and books. Later, he found writers and film directors who had a deep influence on him through his diary, and then went to see their works. Like attracts likes, his images and words often appear in the books of my favorite writers and the films of the directors. The only time his work was seen on the big screen was in a documentary by Ryuichi Sakamoto.
Watching "Stalker" for the first time was like seeing a miracle. It's so poetic and concise. If the movie is to carve time, then this movie seems to be God himself who carves the time in purgatory. Remember the girl at the end of the movie who can move the cup with her mind? God is admonishing not to give up hope, there will be miracles. You have to get out of hell before you can get to heaven. This is a trial.
The first time I watched "Sacrifice", I was not so shocked. Its image style is not as strong as that of "Stalker". But "Sacrifice" is the movie that comes to my mind the most during difficult times. I thought that someone actually exchanged a wish with God in a self-sacrificing way in the movie. Tarkovsky once said that art is a prayer. I don't know how many people have read the content of his prayer in "Sacrifice".
Hands together. Yes, he prayed in "Sacrifice": Please God save this (nuclear) disaster in the world, I am willing to exchange everything I have with you, whether it is property, family, or my ability to speak. Tarkovsky died shortly after the film was completed, sacrificing his life. And after a long period of torment, fear, pain and despair, future generations have waited for a more peaceful era. His own life course is so subtly integrated with his work. The power of this film is higher than art. Who else is making movies like this?
"Sacrifice" is about the spirit of Christ: by sacrificing oneself, connecting to a higher energy, in order to achieve the goal of redemption of all people. It is a love that transcends individuality, a love of unity where boundaries dissolve.
If he ever had, then Tarkovsky, the director of the film "Sacrifice" and an Orthodox Christian, has completely extinguished his personal ambition. He didn't want to prove his talent, or even make a blockbuster. He surrendered completely. He emptied himself into a channel through which God's love and truth could be passed on to more people. As he himself said: Artists have always been slaves of God, trying to repay the gifts God has given them.
I myself have been more influenced by Buddhism. In his twenties, he also served a year in church. I was disappointed with Western religions at that time. Because of Tarkovsky, I felt I had to re-examine Western religions. Buddhism places more emphasis on reason, while Western religions place more emphasis on love. They are describing the source in different ways. A Buddhist would have no trouble watching a Tarkovsky film and receive his message in an instant. This shows that the most essential difference between people is not whether they believe in this religion or that religion, but whether they have beliefs or not.
"Sacrifice" begins and ends with the dead tree and the man watering it. Those who water it are fools by worldly standards because they have been doing something that doesn't make sense. But Tarkovsky said, plant it, work for it day after day, and water it with faith and hope. When the time is up, the dead will be reborn. This is the director's blessing to future generations.
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