learnedax | (no subject)

Saw the film Russian Ark yesterday. It was, frankly, dull. The gimmick effect of the 90 minute shot is used moderately well, panning all over the Hermitage, but the whole thing seemed like a giant set piece to me. A very impressive set piece, and one which captures its setting aptly, but still fundamentally static. It failed to inform someone who does not already understand every aspect of the topic as to the connections between time slices, and although the characters have dialog that hints at their relationships, the translators chose not to subtitle it. Although it has a certain fascination, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who is not an expert in Russian history, and possibly not even then.