Russian Ark
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Synopsis: Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov (THE SUN) broke boundaries with his dreamlike vision of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russian Ark. It’s the first feature-length narrative film shot in a single take (on digital video, using a specially designed disc instead of tape.)
Russian Ark is shot from the point-of-view of an unseen narrator, as he explores the museum and travels through Russian history. The audience sees through his eyes as he witnesses Peter the Great (Maksim Sergeyev) abusing one of his generals; Catherine the Great (Maria Kuznetsova) desperately searching for a bathroom; and in the grand finale, the sumptuous Great Royal Ball of 1913. The narrator is eventually joined by a sarcastic and eccentric 19th century French Marquis (Sergey Dreiden,) who travels with him throughout the huge grounds, encountering various historical figures and viewing the legendary artworks on display. While the narrator only interacts with the Marquis (he seems to be invisible to all the other inhabitants,) the Marquis occasionally interacts with visitors and former residents of the museum.
The film was obviously shot in one day, but the cast and crew rehearsed for months to time their movements precisely with the flow of the camera while capturing the complex narrative, with elaborate costumes from different periods, and several trips out to the exterior of the museum. Tilman Buttner, the director of photography, was responsible for capturing it all in one single Steadicam shot. In Russian with English subtitles.
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Awards
AWARDS
Visions Award, Toronto International Film Festival, 2002Best Director, Malaga International Week of Fantastic Cinema, 2003
Best Actor, Malaga International Week of Fantastic Cinema, 2003
Best Cinematography, Malaga International Week of Fantastic Cinema, 2003
Special Citation, San Francisco Film Critics Circle, 2003
Best Production Designer, Nika Awards, 2004
Historical Shot Award, Society of Camera Operators, 2008
NOMINATIONS
Palm d’Or, Cannes Film Festival, 2002Gold Hugo for Best Feature, Chicago International Film Festival, 2002
Best Director, European Film Awards, 2002
Best Cinematographer, European Film Awards, 2002
Best Film, Sitges- Catalonian International Film Festival, 2002
Best Feature Film, German Camera Award, 2003
FCCA Award for Best Foreign-Language Film, Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards, 2003
Best Cinematography, Chlotrudis Awards, 2004
Best Film, Nika Awards, 2004
