Andrei Tarkovsky
1932–1986
Making thoughtful and beautiful movies that feel like dreams and ask big questions about life.
Early Life
Andrei Tarkovsky was born in 1932 in a small village called Zavrazhye in Russia, which was part of the Soviet Union at the time. His father, Arseny Tarkovsky, was a well-known poet, and his mother worked with books and publishing, so Andrei grew up surrounded by stories, poems, and ideas.
As a child, he loved nature, music, and reading. These interests later became very important in his movies.
Learning to Make Movies
When Andrei was older, he studied filmmaking at a famous film school in Moscow called VGIK (the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography). There, he learned how to tell stories using pictures, sounds, and time.
He believed movies could be more than just entertainment. He thought films could help people think, feel calm, and understand life better.
Becoming a Famous Director
Andrei Tarkovsky became famous for movies like *Ivan’s Childhood*, *Solaris*, and *Stalker*. His films were often slow and quiet, but full of meaning.
He used long scenes, gentle music, and images of water, fire, and nature. These helped his movies feel peaceful and thoughtful, like a poem.
His Unique Style
Andrei once said that making movies was like “sculpting in time.” This means he carefully shaped moments to help viewers feel emotions.
He wanted people to watch closely and think about what they saw. Many filmmakers around the world learned from and were inspired by his style.
Life Around the World
Later in his life, Andrei moved to Western Europe to continue making films, partly because he wanted more artistic freedom. Even when life was difficult, he kept working on his ideas.
His last movie, *The Sacrifice*, won important awards and showed how much people respected his work.
Legacy and Inspiration
Andrei Tarkovsky passed away in 1986, but his movies are still watched today. Film students and directors study his work to learn how movies can be art.
He is remembered as a filmmaker who believed in kindness, beauty, and deep thinking. His films remind us to slow down and notice the world around us.
🎉 Fun Facts
He loved using rain and reflections in his movies.
Many people say his films feel like dreams.
He kept journals where he wrote his ideas and thoughts.
Some directors call him one of the greatest filmmakers ever.