Tarkovsky

My favorite movie is Stalker. It's about an area in Siberia, contaminated after a fall of a meteor where a room was discovered in which people's innermost desires come true. Few people dare go there, but a few "stalkers" lead people in. The movie follows a stalker, a writer, and a scientist on their journey to this room through the "zone".



In the center of the film, there is a moment when the camera focuses on a pool of black water and the main character says a prayer:

"May everything come true. May they believe. May they laugh at their passions. For that which they call passion is not really the energy of the soul, but merely friction between the soul and the outer world. But mostly may they have hope and may they become as helpless as children. For weakness is great and strength is worthless."

When a young tree grows, it is weak and pliable. When it dies, it is rigid, hard and strong. People who admit their weaknesses and bare their self-consciousness are the strongest of all. Perceived strength is only an illusion, but it keeps us from being open minded and kind.