(Russia, with sub-titles)
Directed By: Alexander Sokurov
Written by: Alexander Sokurov and Anatoly Nikiforov
Dialogues: Boris Khaimsky, Alexander Sokurov, Svetlana Proskurina
Director of photography: Tilman Buettner
Visual concept and principal image design: Alexander Sokurov
Art Directors: Yelena Zhukova and Natalia Kochergina
Costume Designers: Lidiya Kriukova, Tamara Seferyan, Maria Grishanova
Music Performed by: The Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra
Conducted by: Valery Gergiev, State Hermitage Orcestra, Sanct Petersburg Kamerata
Composer: Sergey Yevtushenko
To many cultures, death is a journey to that land of eternal rest, even to that ancestral homeland across vast landscapes and seas of spiritual significance. Sometimes, the departed soul even meets up with guardians or oracles who request tribal passwords, tokens, or signs. Sometimes, departed ancestors meet the newly departed on their journey to help guide them home.
The writers of Russian Ark cleverly use this theme as the soul of their extraordinary film on the historically important Herimitage in St. Petersburg. This film is as much a tour of Russia's famous Winter Palace as it is an archetypal journey through Russian history and one man's journey to the afterlife.
The Hermitage, in many ways, is the central character of the film. According to the director, there has not been one image of the Hermitage in the history of cinema. It was this fact that influenced them to embark on this amazing project, from both a historical and a technological standpoint.
Historical Standpoint
The Herimtage, recognized as one of the largest museums in the world and the most beautiful palaces in Russia, consists of "six magnificent buildings situated along the embankment of the River Neva, right in the heart of St Petersburg. The leading role in this unique architectural ensemble is played by the Winter Palace, the residence of the Russian tsars that was built to the design of Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli in 1754-62. This ensemble, formed in the 18th and 19th centuries, is extended by the eastern wing of the General Staff building, the Menshikov Palace and the recently constructed Repository. Put together throughout two centuries and a half, the Hermitage collections of works of art (over 3,000,000 items) present the development of the world culture and art from the Stone Age to the 20th century." (http://www.hermitagemuseum.org/html_En/index.html)
Russian Ark begins with the narrator awaking from being hit on the head. He's confused. He doesn't know how long he's been unconscious; he wonders if he is still dreaming. As he walks about, he's entreated to follow a throng of people into the Winter Palace. He follows them. What transpires is a journey through many of the main quarters of the six buildings of the Hermitage.
Not once do we see the narrator. In fact, we are the narrator and we see and experience the Hermitage as he does. We enter such grand rooms as the Hermitage theater auditorium, Italian Skylight Hall, Gallery of Ancient Painting, Van Dyck Room, Ruben's Room, Tent Hall, Rembrandt Room, Pavillian Hall, the Hanging Garden of the small hermitage, St. George Hall, Memorial Hall of Peter the Great, Portrait Gallery of the Romanov Dynasty, Great Nicholas Hall, and the Main Staircas of the Winter Palace.
We realize as we go from room to room that each space is a template of its time of creation or of historical events that transpired within. It doesn't take long before we sense that we are amidst ghosts of Russia past-- Catherine the Great (Maria Kuznetsova), Catherine the First (Natalia Nikulenko), Orbeli (David Giorgobiani), Boris Piotrovsky (Alexander Chaban), Peter the Great (Maxim Sergeyev), Nicholas 1 (Yuliy Zhurin ), Alexandra Fedorovna, a spouse of Nicholas I (Svetlana Svirko), Alexandra Fyodorvna, a spouse of Nicholas II (Anna Aleksahina), and Nicholas II (Vladimir Baranov).
Technological Achievement
Russian Ark is one of the greatest achievements of film because it is one continuous shot. That's right. There were no scenes. There was no splicing involved.
Russian Ark was filmed using a Sony HIigh Definition (SONY HDW-F900) camera, which capitalizes on digital technology to capture the same quality of photography as film cameras but with the ability to record or shoot in one long take. Because of this, Russian Ark was recorded straight to hard disc.
Digital technology was also used to enhance the end product. From the film's website, this modern and sophisticated technology allowed them to enhance images. For example, they mixed several images and/or used special video effects to light candles in the Hermitage halls and to make clouds fly above the Niva.
The Producer of the Russian Ark, Andrey Deryabin, explained the significance of the film was two-fold: 1) It was the first Russian motion picture made in HD format. And 2) To reach the younger generation (who love and understand the importance of computers) and bring them into "the world of real Art, using the technology they are used to."
Conclussion
Russian Ark is not only a historical or technological masterpiece. It is an intrigunig story amidst backdrops of exquisite art and noteable philosophy.
It doesn't take long on our journey through the Winter Palace before we sense that we ourselves might be the soul on the journey home. As we walk through rooms looking at world famous paintings, statues, and amazing architecture, one can't help but ponder on what each of us brings to this viewing and what we are taking from it on our journey onward.
I suppose many won't even get through to the end of this film. Russian Ark isn't much of a traditional storyline as much as it is like a dream, playing inside of us in a stream of consciousness manner. I suppose that the closed-minded viewer will likewise turn the film off before the end, irrated at what they might perceive as nonsensical chatter. It takes a seasoned mind to appreciate wisdom.
If you have the attention span of an adult, you will find this film rewarding in your own personal way. For me, I will never forget the scene in which Catherine the Great and her servant run through the hanging garden in the small hermitage. At first, the narrator keeps up with them but slowly they run further ahead until they disappear into thin air before our eyes.
Most of all, I loved walking in and out of conversations. Within them were the observances of life and ruminations on the human experience, like this ever-prescient thought: "Everyone can see the future. But no one remembers the past."
Information about the film can be viewed at http://www.russianark.spb.ru/eng/
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