Solaris

Solaris (1972) by Andrei Tarkovsky is a masterpiece of science fiction, adapted from Stanislaw Lem's novel of the same name. A command centre receives mysterious messages from the three remaining crew members of a space station orbiting the planet Solaris. A psychologist and cosmonaut, Kris Kelvin, is sent to investigate the situation — but soon he himself experiences the same strange phenomena as the crew and embarks on a journey into the deepest recesses of his own consciousness. Tarkovsky deliberately downplays the science-fiction dimension of the source material and emphasizes the intimate, humanistic tone of the story; by slowing the pace of the narrative, he imposes on the viewer a specific, oppressive sense of time's passage. The film is a meditation on the human subconscious, faith, and the meaning of scientific knowledge. Starring: Donatas Banionis, Natalya Bondarchuk, Jüri Järvet. Film length: 167 minutes. The screening is part of the Legends – Tarkovsky cycle at Kino Aero and is shown in English (ENG).