OK...the movie was perfectly filmed. In one impecable shot...But is so booooooooring!!! So what's the point of doing a booooooooring movie in one only shot?
I like many differents kinds of movies but there's one kind that I don't accept: boring movies like this...filmed in one or in one thousend shots.
There was very little usable dialog. There were periods of like 20 minutes with out actuall scripted speach. This movie had no character devolpment, no plot, nothing. i think it was boring as all hell. it was a good idea but came up short, it is not a epic master piece.
shareI don't think you can compare this movie to a normal movie with an arch and character and plot development. It is unique and in its own. Sogurov is showing a discussion between two different and sometimes colliding perspectives, European and Russian. I was captivated by this movie and its complexity. The last 10 minutes of the film go down in my personal database of movies as one of the most captivating and beautiful ever shot. Great film for an open minded viewer ...
"It is a masterpiece from the Hermitage To de Hermitage" It can also be boring watching a canvas or listening to a long piece of Chopin, but once you know how to see it and learn to appreciate the work you will enjoy it regardless of it's special effects or stunts.
shareso, you really think sfx & stunts are the only exciting things about art, romen2kl? good thing you seem to prefer it boring!
shareRomen2kl said exactly the opposite, he/she said: "It is a masterpiece from the Hermitage To de Hermitage" It can also be boring (note: as in, you might find it boring) watching a canvas or listening to a long piece of Chopin, BUT once you know how to see it and learn to appreciate the work YOU WILL ENJOY IT REGARDLESS of it's special effects or stunts.
shareRonen,
I think yr point re Chopin is on the mark, in that; I've heard long pieces by Chopin which were boring, but I've also heard long pieces by Chopin that were fascinating. If this flick affects people like a *fascinating* long piece by Chopin, then it's a rare bird, indeed.
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And I'd like that. But that 5h1t ain't the truth. --Jules Winnfield
There is a fascination about one-take films all of their own; also an inner tension that never quite leaves you.The real story, however, is the steady cam operator; what a star! Incidently, he nearly lost it half way through.
shareA lot of people perceived this movie as boring. I believe there are two reasons for this. The first one is the language barrier. The Russian Ark is extremely difficult to subtitle, particularly since there are many scenes with several people speaking simultaneously. I understand Russian, so I can tell you that the subtitles omit at least half the text. It's a shame, because frequently, the most interesting things are the ones whispered in the background.
The second one is lack of familiarity with history. The Russian Ark is not a history lecture, but it makes numerous references to historical events. Some of them, granted, are somewhat obscure, but others refer to more significant things. If you are wholly clueless about Russian or European history, then I'm afraid those references will completely escape you.
If you are curious, I explained a lot of these references and symbolism here: http://www.epinions.com/content_92015201924
It's a shame, because frequently, the most interesting things are the ones whispered in the background.
Ah, interesting you should say that. I often wondered what various characters were talking about in urgent whispers.
It's also quite visual so trying to read subtitles at the same time does spoil the dreamlike effect.
I suspect you're right: this would be a MUCH easier film to watch if you understand Russian. (Though critics seem quite happy even so).
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V: A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having!
the point of the film is to remind everyone who sees it of what russia has achieved. few other nations have put forth such a prolific group of writers, artists, and intellectuals, and few other nations can claim a cultural history as rich as russia's. russia's history is nothing short of tumultous and full of oppression, yet sokurov tries to show that, though russia may be facing difficult times right now, it has produced a rich cultural tradition that often goes unrecognized and underrated, largely in russia itself. he sums the film up when he says "everyone knows the future, but no one remembers the past." today, we look at russia and see political disarray, a notorious mafia, and an all too weak middle class, though we forget that tolstoy, dostoevsky, tchaikovsky, pushkin, and akhmatova all came from russia. with russian ark, sokurov attempts to bring russia's cultural achievements to the foreground, without ignoring that its people have suffered greatly and the same intellectuals who could have bettered the world, have been cruelly oppressed by a government that has forever feared its own people.
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Though I do agree with you that Russian Ark is beautiful and amazing, I get the feeling that you a cultural snob. I enjoy a large number of 'Hollywood' films. Though the entire industry is not perfect. I think people keep forgetting that there is a large number of good films that come out of Hollywood. I love 'foreign' films. Some of my favorite directors are Ingmar Bergman, Frederico Fellini, Akira Kurosawa, etc. I'm opened to the entire world. And I try to look at everything for it's worth. Not everything in Hollywood is glitter and gold, action, stunts, sex and whatever more. And not all of the films which are comprised of said elements are bad. Learn to enjoy many forms. Life is not just long, silent, and deep. Nor is it action-packed and stunt-filled. There is a balance.
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There is an enormous range of movies between Russian Ark and hollywood blockbusters.
Many of them have strong narratives, characters, themes, without explosions or stunts.
Russian Ark is interesting and brilliant in some ways, but just because someone doesn't like it, doesn't mean they are slack jawed idiots only wanting stupid Hollywood action.
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V: A revolution without dancing is a revolution not worth having!
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I know I'm a decade late, but I think you hit the nail on the head. Thank you for your insight.
Better to be king for a night than schmuck for a lifetime.
I enjoyed Russian Ark but because I do not understand Russian or Russian history, I had to settle for observing the film as a tour of the Hermitage Museum and possibly the Winter Palace ( I'm not sure about that one towards the end ). I quit trying to read the dialogue because I wanted to devote my attention to the art, architecture and even the impeccable costumes. Over all, for me, this was sort of a variation of one of those medieval fairs or Renaissance Festivals set in the Hermitage. I wish I could speak Russian, but oh well.
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The Winter Palace actually houses the Hermitage Museum.
shareBoring? Russian Ark is one of the most exhilarating movies I've ever seen.
shareKnow the audience. This is a film that speaks to Russians about their identity and cultural achievements as well as their struggled relationship with Europe. Americans have nothing to do with it. You have to view it through the right eyes.
shareWell, of course films can have a perfectly legitimate technical or historical justification and this film DOES deserve respect for pulling off this ambitious stunt, so that's enough of a "point" in itself. However, I agree, that ultimately a film's worth is determined by more than its technical accomplishment and historical value. So is Russian Ark "boring"? I was engaged most of the time, but then I have an interest in Russian history and history in general. I think you're a bit too harsh in dismissing it but I will concede that ultimately its main worth is to be found in its technical feat...I would not say the film is boring (or "booooooooring!!!" as you describe it), nor is its story great or amazing but rather, interesting, as one reviewer on this site describes it. It's a perfectly acceptable and compelling complement to the technique.
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