Russian Ark (2002)
September 13th, 2003 at 5:10 pm (Uncategorized)
I think my friend Sven said it best when he commented after seeing Russkij Kovcheg [Russian Ark] (2002): “Well, I have that satisfied feeling of having met my Art Film quota for the month”. However in talking the film over it was clear that the meaning of the film sailed right over our heads. Very beautiful and highly artistic this journey through the last 200 years of Russian history, as seen through the eyes of a French aristocrat walking through the Russian State Hermitage Museum, seems to require a degree in Russian studies to be understood. The movie is never the less quite beautiful and worth seeing solely for the free tour of the magnificent building and for the technical accomplishment of shooting a full two hour movie in a single shot.
john said,
September 13, 2003 at 3:23 pm
I was fortunate enough to see this on a large screen, which enhanced the experience immensely. There were moments where the picture was so perfectly clear, the focus so deep, that I actually felt I could step into the screen… that somehow the filmmakers had created a 3D image that didn’t rely on those clumsy glasses. The coranation of Catherine the Great (I think that’s who it was) followed by the tour of the banquet room come to mind. But, at the same time there were moments (quite a few in fact) where I felt like I was trapped on a ride at Disneyland, and not one of the E ticket rides. The narrative was not very interesting, but I suppose without the “guide” to take you through, many people would just give up this film. I agree overall with your rating of 3, but mainly on the technical aspects of “Russian Ark”.