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Tarkovsky's Polaroids

Xeni Jardin at 10:32 am Thu, Jun 10, 2010

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Filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky's Polaroid snapshots, taken at his home in Russia, and while traveling in Italy. A Russian photography blog has digitized a large collection of these photos (text in Russian). The Poemas del Río Wang blog has more (in English) about their origin. (via @glinner)

Boing Boing editor/partner and tech culture journalist Xeni Jardin hosts and produces Boing Boing's in-flight TV channel on Virgin America airlines (#10 on the dial), and writes about living with breast cancer. Diagnosed in 2011. @xeni on Twitter. email: xeni@boingboing.net.

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  • Anonymous

    I agree that the medium of Polaroid seems to suit Tarkovsky’s vision exceedingly well… and for anyone who loved Stalker, be aware that there are at least 2 films of his that are arguably even greater, and are often mentioned by cinema buffs in the same breath as such seminal films as L’Avventura and 2001: namely, Solaris and Andrei Rublev. See them. Oh yeah, and The Sacrifice is not to be missed, also.
    And I don’t know exactly why, but the atmosphere and setting of pic #8 on page 5 of the photo reel reminded me sharply of the setting for the infamous “first photograph ever” taken in 1826: http://neatorama.cachefly.net/images/2006-07/world-first-photograph-nicephore-niepce.jpg – seems like he hearkens back to an earlier time in an almost physical sense, with some of these shots.

  • Anonymous

    all those Tarkovsky films are BRILLIANT, but ZERKALO (Mirror) is his MASTERPIECE. If you love Tarkovsky – read his book, SCULPTING IN TIME.

    - DJ Jenochka

  • Uncle Balsamic

    These are glorious. He is one of the greatest artists who ever lived. These photos, like his films, are just immensely beautiful.

  • 2k

    ANONs!
    To the zone, Ney! The Meat Grinder with you!!
    Dammit.

  • EssArt

    The fact that he liked Polaroids kind of clicks. The color palette of his movies always has that “stark with popping bold colors” feel I always gave their film.

  • Anonymous

    someone call The Doctor…the Weeping Angels are on the loose!

    • twelvesixteen

      My first thought as well. Clearly they know what they’re doing. By draping the stone angel’s head, they can’t look it directly in the eyes.

  • RitchG

    Wow. His pictures are as awesome as his movies. Stark is definitely the right word.

  • ZombyWoof

    Thank you

  • elfspice

    hehe pretty sure the angels from doctor who weren’t invented until after he died… what wonderful images. wonderful film maker wonderful photographer… i’d never heard of him until i became a full blown addict of the computer game based loosely on his movie and the book it came from, and i’m so glad i have now, and i definitely have to see more of his movies. Stalker is definitely one of my all time favourite movies, so rich in texture and subtlety.

  • SFedor

    Beautiful.

  • bklynchris

    I have a hunch that many fans of bb are also huge fans of his movie “Stalker”, arguably the best film ever made.

  • Anonymous

    Anon: Thanks for the Dr. Who reference. Made my day.

  • Rob Myers

    I love Tarkovsky’s films (yes, especially Stalker #5).

    There’s something wonderful about a Soviet film-maker using such an American camera (was it actually a Polaroid?) and making something so amazing with it.