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In Reply to: Shouldn't a film be entertaining? posted by Jon L on June 08, 2004 at 10:31:45:
There are two ways to be entertained by Russian Ark.One, to appreciate the technical achievement of the film, undeniably impressive. Film students/critics are most likely to be entertained in this fashion.
Two, to appreciate the historical context of the film. History buffs and people well grounded in Russian history in particular are most likely to be entertained in this fashion.
Neither did it for me (although I know enough to appreciate the technical achievement). As a result, I also failed to make it all the way through the film. But it is certainly not an inherently "un-entertaining" film, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to the right people, with the appropriate caveats.
Follow Ups:
On number one... it is mandatory for the viewer to be aware of the way the film was shot - in one smooth non-stop motion. While this is "just a technical detail", it gives the viewing experience much stronger flavor - one does get mesmerized by how seamlessly the scenes follow each other, and one must appreciate the enormous effort it took to orchestrate the whole thing... some directors can't shoot two minutes straight.Technical merits do not a fine movie make, however, so one is obligated to look at other sides too.
There the movie is a hit and miss collage. Some scenes are completely artistic, deep and involving (the two figures in the winter garden... the Flora-girls running through the corridors... ), while others are outright boring.
History... yes, it helps enormously, as otherwise many scenes simply have no meaning. On balance that was the weakest part, I think.
AND... most importantly, I think.... one should constantly be turning head, looking left and right, like a tourist on a London double-decker, except one moving at 100mph - as the scenery in the film is simply without an equal anywhere in the world.
There is no question a foreigner will get very different impression from it than an educated Russian, and I still consider it to a large degree a tourist promo work, but I do not regret seeing it, and would not mind seeing it again. Of course I am spoiled - I walked through Hermitage in March, and will walk again in September.
All in all, not an easy film to swallow for an unprepared viewer.
We're bound for the Hermitage sooner or later. My wife has been dying to see it and in fact suggested it for our honeymoon. I can't remember how we ended up in Provence instead.
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