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Stalker (Сталкер) [35mm] + Introduction by writer Ian Christie (PG)

Contemporary 75

,Cinemas
Still from the film Stalker, showing a man standing in a large, abandoned factory filled with dunes of white sand.

Explore Andrei Tarkovsky’s hypnotic science-fiction – a journey to ‘The Zone’, where unseen dangers lie but your deepest desires may be fulfilled.

Developed from the Arkady and Boris Strugatsky novel Roadside Picnic in collaboration between Tarkovsky and the brothers themselves, Stalker imagines a deserted rural settlement, overgrown and haunted by unseen fears. ‘The Zone’, as it is designated, is closed to all but those who can sneak through the defences and traverse the quietly menacing landscape.

A writer and a professor are led through this uncanny journey by a ‘Stalker’, leaving his family at home, who guides those who wish to cross the Zone to visit ‘the room’, where it is believed your inner wishes can be realised.

This screening will be introduced by writer Ian Christie, who has written extensively on Soviet cinema and was present during Tarkovsky’s visit to the UK to support Stalker in early 1981.

Tagged with: Cinema Magic Mondays

Contemporary 75 is a festival bringing together bold cinema that inspired generations of British audiences and filmmakers — a festival of screenings with special guests across London this September and October.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) provides guidance to audiences, to help them choose what’s right for them and avoid what’s not. For guidance, please click here and type the film title into the search bar.

Film information
  • Release year   1979
  • Country of origin   USSR
  • Director   Andrei Tarkovsky
  • Runtime   2hrs 42mins

Cinemas

Location
Barbican Cinema 1 is located within the main Barbican building on Level -2. Head to Level G and walk towards the Lakeside Terrace where you’ll find stairs and lifts to take you down to the venue floor.   

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.