While I’m on the subject of dream-like films, here’s another film I can’t recommend enough. It’s called Russian Ark. Filmed on location at the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg, the events are viewed through the eyes of an unseen Russian narrator. The action sashays across three hundred years of history, sometimes forward, sometimes back, and often dogged by the crass and unpredictable Marquis. One may glimpse Peter the Great trouncing one of his generals, the first performance at the new theatre for Catherine II, Anastasia dancing untroubled before sitting down to the last dinner to be had by the Romanovs at the Winter Palace, and the last grand ball before the start of WWI.

The most breathtaking thing about this film is not the superlative performances, the opulent costumes, the three seperate orchestral performances, nor the incomparable art collection and the Hermitage itself. The most breathtaking thing is that the movie is filmed all in one take. No edits, no cuts—just a ninety minute sweep through doors, and chambers, and history.

One may view the Russian Ark trailer here. I recommend Windows-Media gross (11 MB) for optimum viewing pleasure.

The painting of Peter the Great (above) was stolen from the Hermitage website. Don’t worry, I put it back.