"The more you concentrate on facts, events, and objects, the more elusive and fleeting they become, while the images contained in the memory have a persistent, obsessive presence."
This quote emphasizes that our focus on tangible reality (facts, events, objects) can make it seem ephemeral or evasive, while the memories we carry have a lasting and compelling nature. In essence, Tarkovsky is suggesting that subjective experiences – as represented by memories – have more enduring power than objective external realities, which can appear transient and elusive when closely examined.
"Time is the substance from which I am made. Time is a river which carries me along, but I am the river; it is a tiger that devours me, but I am the tiger; it is a fire that consumes me, but I am the fire."
Andrei Tarkovsky's quote suggests an intimate connection between a person and time, where one is both the river, the tiger, and the fire - metaphors for the constant, relentless flow of time. It implies that as we move through life, we are not merely observers or passengers, but active participants in the very process of time itself. We embody its essence, experiencing its passage as a series of transformative events that consume and shape us, while simultaneously shaping the world around us. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of existence, change, and the unstoppable flow of life.
"The main thing is to wait, and if necessary, to wait some more."
This quote by Andrei Tarkovsky emphasizes the importance of patience and perseverance in life. It suggests that often, the key to success or progress lies not in immediate action, but rather in waiting for the right moment or opportunity. This wisdom implies that rushing into things without proper consideration can lead to mistakes, while taking time to reflect and wait can bring about more meaningful results in the long run.
"Everything we love has its roots somewhere else: in our childhood, in a place where we grew up, in the air we breathed then."
This quote by Andrei Tarkovsky suggests that our affections for people, places, and things are often deeply rooted in the experiences, environments, and memories of our childhood. The "place where we grew up" or the 'air we breathed then' symbolizes formative influences that significantly shape our emotional connections to the world. This perspective underscores the importance of early life experiences in shaping our identity and preferences, emphasizing a sense of nostalgia and attachment to our past.
"To shoot a film is not just to create an aesthetic object. The purpose of the film-maker is not to transfer his own experiences to others, but to help others experience for themselves."
This quote suggests that for filmmakers, making a movie transcends merely creating an aesthetically pleasing work of art. Instead, it's about facilitating a personal and unique experience for the audience. Rather than imposing their own experiences onto viewers, filmmakers aim to empower them by providing a platform to explore and interpret the film in their own way. In essence, Tarkovsky believes that cinema serves as a tool for self-discovery and empathy between individuals, fostering shared human understanding.
An artist never works under ideal conditions. If they existed, his work wouldn't exist, for the artist doesn't live in a vacuum. Some sort of pressure must exist. The artist exists because the world is not perfect. Art would be useless if the world were perfect, as man wouldn't look for harmony but would simply live in it.
- Andrei Tarkovsky
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