Russian Ark Film Analysis

There could not have been a better to finish off the semester, than finishing with the film Russian Ark. The main focus of the class has been to look at the culture of Russia and Russia’s history through the format of film. This film does all of this in the most spectacular and unique way. In only ninety-six minutes we as an audience are able to see many historical figures in some of the most splendid situations and be immersed in the deep aristocratic of Russia spanning hundreds of years.

The film opens with what appears to be an 18th century ball with Russian officers escorting their dates through the snow and into the Hermitage. These first few moments give an immediate feel of how the film will be laid out and what we are to expect. We are taken on a journey that covers over three hundred years of historical events and through the creative eye of Alexander Sokurov, we are able to get lost in an experience never felt before in the

cinematic community.
When it came to costumes, there were no expenses wasted.

Every actor or actress was dressed in extravagant costumes that perfectly fit the time period. With over two thousand actors and actress, there was a lot of attention paid to what everyone was wearing. This was important because it made the experience even more real, partnered with the camera work; it was as if we as an audience were in the Hermitage watching everything unfold. Roger Ebert wrote in his review of the camera work in Russian Ark “ the effect of the unbroken flow of images… is uncanny… if cinema is sometimes dreamlike, then every edit is an awakening. “Russian Ark” spins a daydream made of centuries,” (Roger Ebert, pg. 1). This quote encapsulates the entire feel of the film. Most of the feeling that comes from the film is because the camera never cuts away, it leaves the audience with a whimsical and eerie feeling. It is so smooth that it emulates the motion of a dream, constant and always changing, and like many dreams this is one you don’t want to wake up

from.
Through the course of the film we get to know The Marquis and follow him on his journey through Russian Culture. He too begins to get lost in the magnificence of these time periods, so much so that he decides to stay in 18th century period, following the extravagant ball. It can be inferred that The Marquis is a metaphor for all those who are not familiar with Russian culture and look down upon it. His transformation is similar to how someone would feel if they took the moment to be open to the elite class culture of Russia, specifically in St. Petersburg.
There are many instances when a film tries to explain an important historical time period or an event that has occurred, and subsequently these films become boring or miss the mark entirely. As a first time viewer, I knew little of Russian culture, and the strong hand of American culture tainted my outlook on the country. This film changed my perception about what life was like over the last few hundred years. I was unaware of the social structure that was in control of St. Petersburg at these times, and although the film certainly does not create an insight into all of the social levels it gives much insight into what was like as an elite member of this society. What this film also does, is it shows how prosperous Russia was during these times, there is so much elegance that you forget you are in Russia and not somewhere in France or other Western European countries. The many large paintings the cover all the walls of the Hermitage only add to the image Catherine the Great, Alexander I, and Nicholas I, had for Russia and their love for the arts and rich culture.
The hermitage was created over three hundred years ago and is made up of several palaces. These palaces are home to some of the finest pieces of art ever created, featuring master painters such as Picasso, Rafael, Rembrandt, and many others. The rich art culture plays a significant role in the film. There is a lot of focus on the pieces as we follow the Marquis throughout the present day museum. The director makes it a point to take shots at the culture of Russia through the years. We hear the Marquis say that the artists are copiers and copy the painters of the other European countries. Further on in the film he says, “ There aren’t any Russian composers, only German,” among the many other jabs at the culture. But many of these remarks are not true, because we see the rich and vibrant culture present in every room of the Hermitage. The rulers spent so much time collecting art because they appreciated it and it was important to them, and it was important for Russia to have these works. But it meant more than just the rulers appreciating art, through their dedication, The Hermitage became a place for gatherings and it rivaled places such as the Vatican or other cultural predominant landmarks around the world. It can latter be inferred that the Hermitage serves as a cultural Ark for Russia. Not only does it contain works from Italian painters, but also it has many works and cultural items that remind others of the centuries of Russian culture.
Using the Hermitage as the focal point and setting for filming was a great decision. There are very few places in Russia that are so rich with culture and so magnificent that as an audience you cannot look away. This journey leaves nothing behind, we experience masterpieces, great balls with an amazing live orchestra, and we even get a glimpse into the war zones that left the Hermitage cold and desolate. All of these events are crammed into one ninety-minute film. But they do not feel crammed, nothing feels rushed, and everything feels natural. The culture and essence of the film is all brought to life in one magnificent sweep. If there was one way to learn about the elite class and the rises and fall of Russian arts and culture, this film is the best way to create an introduction. It has this amazing effect where it gives glimpses into some of the important events throughout the history and upon finishing the film; we as an audience are left wanting more, we want to learn more about this lifestyle and why everything happened the way it did. Director Aleksandr Sokurov deserves all the praise that came from this film because it truly is a masterpiece.
Taking an old approach to film to create a unique masterpiece was a great risk. There was no telling how the audience would react to a film shot entirely in one take. But what Russian Ark accomplished cannot be paralleled with any other film before or after it. Not only does it create great cinematography but it also shows different sides to the Hermitage and the elite Russian Culture that may not have been seen before. There are so many breathtaking shots, that it is sometimes easy to forget that it is a film and not reality. The dreamlike state of the film only adds to the feel and dynamic of the film. It is ultimately a great success and leaves all though who watch it with a new sense of appreciation for film and Russian culture.