The Theme of the Apocalypse in the Films by Andrei Tarkovsky

Student: Sheveleva Elizaveta

Supervisor: Vadim Shkolnikov

Educational Programme: Philology (Bachelor)

Year of Graduation: 2020

This study is devoted to the theme of the apocalypse and its role in Andrei Tarkovsky’s work. Three films were analyzed in details, in which the apocalyptic topic is present in the most evident form: "Andrei Rublev" (1966), "Nostalgia" (1983), "Sacrifice" (1986); additionally, fundamental philosophy and author's appeal are also expressed in the artistic form. Throughout this study, it was proven that the theme of the apocalypse is a key in the director’s work, which is an instrument that Tarkovsky uses to appeal to spiritual development of humanity. Visual, technical, and psychological features in his films are examined and analyzed. Author of this study reveals the successive motives, images, metaphors, text allusions and metatexts that Andrei Tarkovsky utilized in his films to develop and convey spiritual apocalypse and moral crisis.

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