Realism

             Russian Ark: The Reality of History

The film Russkiy Kovcheg is not only one of the greatest realist films I have ever seen, but is also one of the greatest feature length films I have been able to enjoy.  Directed in 2002 by Aleksandr Sokurov Russkiy Kovcheg is widely regarded as one of the most technically impressive and innovative films ever made.

The words Russkiy Kovcheg are Russian for “Russian Arc”, a title that is arguably more important to the film than any line of dialogue it contains. However, it is not the dialogue that makes this film so notable. Instead it is the cinematography that dominates the viewers mind.  The entire movie is filmed inside of the Russian State Hermitage Museum and the shots that are created there in are absolutely breath taking. However, the most amazing thing about the shots are not their crazy camera angles or “Hitchcockian tricks”. Instead the fact that there is only one shot that makes this movie so impressive.

The entire ninety minute film was shot in one continues take. The cameraman, Tilman Buttner, operated a steadicam and walked through the entire museum shooting the scenes along the way. In total there were over two thousand actors and almost a thousand more crewmembers. It is to date the longest single shot ever taken in a feature length film. 

The story itself is very strange. An unnamed main character that is voiced by the director makes his way through the Russian State Hermitage Museum and along his way witnesses three hundred years of Russian History. The two thousand cast members who are dressed in garb reflecting their respective time period reenact significant and at times obscure moments from Saint Petersburg’s vast History. 

The film is an extremely patriotic tribute to Russian History and is at times hard to understand or relate to. However, the sheer scale and craftsmanship that is Russian Ark is more than enough to blow away cynicism.

The realist element of the film is very strange. Unlike many realist works the techniques employed may be seen as avant-garde, however, the film as a whole bares very little resemblance to other pieces in the same category. It does not have an “art film” feel to it; in fact the cinematography is so strong it might be viewed as somewhat commercial or “mainstream”.

The realist element of Russian Ark truly shines in the story in conjunction with the cinematographic   technique.  The story is that of Russia. The actors are simply the Russian people and though the film does show key figures such as Kathrin the great, it also shows the Russian serfs and peasants in an equally significant manor. Beside the main character through who’s eyes we are watching the film unfold and his traveling companion “The European”, no one character stands out as more or less important than anyone else. 

The one continuous shot technique is very effective in making this a realist piece. Without it the film would lose its strong sense of continuity and become simply hard to watch. The single long shot also is a narrative device in and of itself. It represents the perseverance and continuum of Russian History.

Another very realist element of Russian Ark is its focus on people. While the film is shot in one of the greatest Russian buildings ever constructed it only servers as a backdrop for the people of Russia to act out they’re History. It is Russian people portraying Russian History. No special effects or narration, the story is told through very basic dialogue and visuals. The energy of the film comes from the people’s interaction with their History. 

In conclusion I would call Russian Ark or Russkiy Kovcheg an extremely successful film. From cinematic quality to emotional drive the film delivers strong. As a realist piece it is also extremely successful and through one of the most challenging cinematic effects it brings realist film making to another level.  While the film seems slow at times the lulls serve their own purpose of “proving reality” another realist technique. Russian Ark is simply put, “breathtaking”.