MOVIE REVIEW: Russian Ark (2002)

Boasting the longest, unbroken take in the history of cinema at it's running length of 96 minutes. Russian Ark is an etherial, dreamlike film that explores the history of the beautiful country it represents while in the mold of a fairy tale. While intriguing as a film, many casual moviegoers may be hard-pressed to consider the slow-pace of the film entertainment. Still, it may be of interest to aficionados of history and Russian culture.

From a fade-from-black, a filmmaker describes awakening from a type of accident and finding himself conscious in 18th century Russia, he encounters a gentleman who takes him on a journey through time in Russian history as he encounters various important figures and people in a reflection of the time period. There's a certain air of sophistication and spontaneity from the acting that one can appreciate from the lack of edits as though it were live theatre or television being presented in front of your very eyes. It's a simple story, but nothing that leads to any extraordinary heights.

I think ultimately what might turn off a lot of people towards the film is it's main selling point of a 96-minute take itself. What makes for an interesting filmmaking experiment is sadly it's Achilles Heel, and perhaps a lesson of the practicality of film editing in the first place. Many times, there are long, drawn-out sequences of walking or waiting for action to occur. It certainly pulls off the dreamlike quality the film was trying to achieve, but even with all the visual splendor, it's easy for your mind to wander when these long stretches of nothing happen. I was nonethelss fascinated by it as a work of art, I just don't know if I'll be particularly seeing it again anytime soon.

7/10

Peace,
- Jon