Andrei Tarkovsky's feature film 'Stalker,' based on the Strugatsky brothers' novella 'Roadside Picnic,' is a key landmark of late Soviet culture, receiving worldwide acclaim. It has been the subject of numerous film studies, inspired artists and directors, and many who were with Tarkovsky at various stages of the difficult journey from the project's conception to its realization have written about the film's production. Director, actor, and writer Yevgeny Tsymbal worked on the film for over two years, first as a props assistant and then as a second unit director. In his book, he seeks to reconstruct the film's creation, supporting it with documents and personal testimony. Readers will discover how the original concept was transformed during the script process, gain a closer understanding of the cultural and political context, and discover the direct connection between Tarkovsky's biographical circumstances and his artistic decisions. Personal memories in the book are edited with excerpts from interviews the author conducted with members of the film crew. 2nd edition.