Starring Sergey Dreiden, Maria Kuznetsova, Leonid Mozgovoy, Mikhail Piotrovsky and a cast of 800.
Written, conceived and directed by Alexander Sokurov.
Russian Ark is one of the boldest and most unusual films I've seen. On one
Dec. 23, 2001 afternoon at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersberg, former capital
of historical Russia, the film was made in 90 minutes of real time shooting. There are no cuts,
no stoppages to reload film, just one continuous shot moving from room to room, up
and down stairwells. I can't imagine the pressure on each of the actors to get their
lines correct and be in the correct spots in dozens of locations. I have no idea
how director Sokurov and his cameraman was able to get the camera to move so fluidly
and steadily up the stairs, and through doorways and crowds of people.
As the camera moves, we are taken
back and forth through Russian history, visiting Peter The Great whipping one of his
generals, Catherine the Great watching a play in her palace and needing to find a
washroom quickly before she bursts, the last Tsar and his family enjoying a blissful
meal together surrounded by wealth and beauty while unaware of the upcoming Revolution,
and the last great ball of 1913, where carefree aristocrats waltz among a huge orchestra
before going out into the Russian cold.
We also meet Catherine II, Nicholas I and a host of other Russian figures doing the
things they did in various parts of the Hermitage. We also flash into modern times,
visiting people who are admiring the art in the opulent halls of the museum, and are
told a bit about various paintings by Rubens, Rembrandt and van Dyck. We even get
a scene of current Hermitage director Mikhail Piotrovsky talking with his historical
predecessors about the importance of the museum in history, and how it has survived
wars and various political upheavals Russia has experienced.
The journey is told through the eyes of a mysterious 19th century European Marquis
diplomat and a Spy (the cameraman, who no character except the Marquis is able to see).
Through them, and their reactions, we have a back and forth discussion between the
European Marquis dismissing Russians as being European wannabe's, and being led by
far too admired tyrants (he suggests the more
brutal a Tsarist tyrant was, the more fondly he is revered), while the Spy/cameraman
responds that Russia has its own proud and unique history. They also spend significant
time in the appreciation of art and sculpture - the Marquis tells us his mother was
involved with great romantic sculptor Canova. Some other highlights include the hundreds
of lavish, beautifully prepared costumes, and the outstanding antique, gold trimmed
dinner ware and crystal used in various scenes.
I'm sure I missed significant dialogue and historical figures, and look forward to
seeing it again on DVD (I hope it comes out on DVD) to catch what I missed. For those
who enjoy a bit of history, classical art, plus music and dancing scenes that will make
you help you forget the current sensation Chicago, Russian Ark is an
impressive unique movie experience.
 
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