Week 12 - Russian Ark

Week 12 - Russian Ark

Director: Alexander Sokurov

Year: 2002

Description: A experimental historical drama filmed at the Winter Palace section of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. The film attempts to bring the history of Russia to life in a film that is supposedly done in completely one take, using 2000 extras.

Review: While the film is somewhat unusual, I quite enjoyed the film. However while I would recommend the film my positive attitude towards the film should be taken with a grain of salt. I quite enjoy slow character driven narratives so I am part of the film's target audience.

The film does a very good job of characterizing the Marquis and promoting Russian culture/ history. The orchestration of the extras and all the moving pieces in the film is also very impressive. The costumes and art are also breath taking (although the director can't take credit for the art pieces in the movie).

The film is very slow and somethings spends large periods of time doing very little. This can ruin the pacing even for the target audience at times. The film can also be somewhat unclear on events taking place on screen or the message it is trying to convey.

I would recommend this film to history, art or film buffs as the subject matter is aimed at them. However I wouldn't recommend the film to a general audience as the slow nature of the film would probably bore they to death.