Shot in a single take over the course of one day at the Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russian Ark, is a profound achievement of a movie (if indeed, it is possible to call it that). The director is an unseen narrator, while a 19th Century French aristocrat (Dontsov) wanders around the museum. The man walks through the exhibits where incidents from the history of Tsarist Russia are played out, while their significance is questioned.
About as unconventional as cinema gets, the dreamy Russian Ark is pitched somewhere between theatre and a bizarrely seductive, free-flowing historical tour of the museum and ultimately, Tsarist Russia. The fact that the film was shot on a 96 minute take - meaning that there are no cuts or edits and if a mistake was made the entire movie would have to be reshot - ensures Russian Ark is one of the most audacious pieces of cinema you're likely to see this year. Technical brilliance aside, it's a hyper-real guide to the Hermitage, inviting viewers to sample the treasure trove of exhibits and enjoy the vital performances of the actors. By doing so and involving the audience to a hitherto unprecedented degree, Sokurov has fashioned a unique portrait of his country's history, as well as making a little of his own.
