Guest post: "Tarkovsky, alone." by Lonely Robot Theme
"Only by confronting our own emotional depths and learning to connect with others on a deeper level can we hope to find meaning and fulfillment in life." - Lonely Robot Theme
Occasionally on “when hope writes” I’ll publish guest posts by brilliant artists and writers. If you want to be a guest blogger on my Substack, please connect with me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or my website.
Today I’m sharing a thought-provoking essay on loneliness in the film Solaris (1972), directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. You can also read the poignant think piece by the stellar
here.Loneliness is a complex and often misunderstood experience, one that can be difficult to articulate and even more difficult to alleviate. The 1972 film Solaris, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, explores the theme of loneliness in a deeply moving and thought-provoking way. Through its portrayal of a scientist’s emotional struggles while stationed on a distant planet, the film invites us to reflect on our own experiences of isolation and disconnection.
At the heart of Solaris is the character of Kris Kelvin, a psychologist sent to investigate strange occurrences on a space station orbiting the planet Solaris. Kelvin is initially presented as a detached and rational figure, someone who is more comfortable with his scientific instruments than with human relationships. However, as he spends more time on the station, Kelvin begins to experience intense emotions and vivid hallucinations, all of which are somehow connected to the mysterious, sentient ocean that covers the surface of Solaris.
The film’s portrayal of Kelvin’s loneliness is both haunting and evocative. Tarkovsky uses long takes and slow camera movements to create a sense of isolation and detachment, emphasizing the vastness of space and the emptiness of the station. At the same time, the film’s surreal imagery and dreamlike sequences suggest that Kelvin’s isolation is not just physical but also psychological, a manifestation of his own unresolved traumas and emotional conflicts.
Like many of us, Kelvin initially tries to cope with his loneliness by retreating into work and intellectual pursuits. He spends hours poring over data and analyzing the ocean’s strange behavior, hoping to find some rational explanation for his experiences. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Kelvin’s efforts to distance himself from his emotions are only making things worse. His repressed feelings begin to leak out in the form of his hallucinations, which take on a life of their own and threaten to overwhelm him completely.
Ultimately, what makes Solaris such a powerful meditation on loneliness is its refusal to offer easy solutions or comforting platitudes. Instead, the film suggests that loneliness is a fundamental aspect of the human condition, one that cannot be escaped or overcome through rational thought alone. Only by confronting our own emotional depths and learning to connect with others on a deeper level can we hope to find meaning and fulfillment in life.
In this way, Solaris invites us to embrace our own vulnerabilities and to recognize that loneliness is not something to be ashamed of or denied but rather a natural part of the human experience. Through its complex and nuanced portrayal of one man’s struggle with isolation, the film reminds us that we are all interconnected, that our emotions and experiences are inextricably linked to those of others around us. Only by acknowledging and embracing this interconnectedness can we hope to find solace and connection in a world that often feels cold and indifferent.
If, like me, you’re fascinated by the theme of loneliness in cinema and literature, I highly recommend Lonely Robot Theme’s other striking essays below.
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Thank you so so much for this Nadia!!! You’ve made my post look 200% more awesome. You’re the very best of us x
This was lovely. I might be using it out of context but it made me think of the line wherever you go, there you are.