Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Russian Ark - Trailer


I only know one other person who loved this movie...it's kind of a love it or hate it movie. I thought it was the coolest thing...stabs at political arrogance, nationalism, permanence, human squabbles and the notion of stature between cultural boundaries...plus, it's one shot...one take...cool. Red and * gave Stagg and I an awesome book based on the BBC program The Power of Art. The book opens...Great art has dreadful manners. The hushed reverance of the gallery can fool you into believing masterpieces are polite things, visions that soothe, charm, and beguile, but actually they are thugs. Merciless and wily, the greatest paintings grab you in a headlock, rough up your composure and then proceed in in short order to rearrange your sense of reality. It's a fantastic book with wonderful reproductions.

11 comments:

Gardenia said...

I would like to see this film.

The quote about how art affects us is wonderful - the art that roughes up my composure is art I love - I once stepped foot into a Chihuly exhibition and began to cry - a divine moment to step into such -

Matt said...

Russian Ark, aside from the technological gimmickry of the one-shot take, is a great film. It takes a poetic/stream-of-consciousness approach to Russian history and its more curious citizens.
Not for everyone, agreed.

* (asterisk) said...

I've not seen Russian Ark, but I remember all the hoopla about it when it came out. I'd give it a go someday.

Glad you're liking the book, guys. Red bought me a copy for Christmas (at my request), but I've had so little time since then that it's been neglected while I try to finish The Road before getting started on Don Q.

Candy Minx said...

Gardenia, I felt like crying at times during this movie, it really moved me. But not everybody feels that way...it has a lot of spoofs made about it. I think you would enjoy it, it's magical.

Aposta, yes, it's as if the least interesting part of the movie is the one-shot...it's fascinating DESPITE the one shot, one take.

*, movie is difficult. No "plot" although there are several plots...weird characters, artsy dreamfeeling...I don't know. Part of me thinks you would love it, because you love Lynch. It's an odd mix of politics and then somehow really spiritual...? It feels like time travel.

Amy Ruttan said...

Ok, I've never heard of this movie, but WOW! That is one I have to see. I'll have to see if I can get on DVD or something.

I am extremely interested in Russian History. I have a few ideas for manuscripts, but my Russian research is only just in the beginning stages.

Ink Casualty said...

I thought the film was amazing!

mister anchovy said...

me and Tuffy P both fell asleep in this film...I don't know whose snoring woke us up...she will claim she never fell asleep it was just me.....I had high hopes for this movie but I found it unwatchable.

Candy Minx said...

Amy, I am sure you will find this fascinating. It has no plot though...it is not historical spectulative...it is something OTHER...but amazing. It's liek taking drugs and time traveling...and that is not for everyone, no big whoop.

Ink, i am truly surprised you liked this...but having said that it also makes sense. I think you just have to be in the mood.

Mister Anchovy, I know you guys didn't liek it I remember now vaguely...and I think it's a totally "nhealthy response" I also think...it's one of those movies, where under the right amount of coffee, good night's sleep...and enthusiasm...it just hits you. I should test out my theory on Stagg arrha hawahwahwah ha ha...

me said...

for a moment, when i saw the name a. sukarov, i thought it may be a wind up. but i know better of you!
exactly how long is this "longest shot in history"?
wouldn't mind giving it a go!

Candy Minx said...

Well, I recall it was a 109 minutes...but I saw it five years ago, or so...but that number seems to stick in my mind. Cappy, it's a very very strange movie. I would say it s up there as one of the worlds strangest movies. It begins with a guy talking, and he almost puts you to sleep(see Mr and Tuffy P fell asleep) and I saw it in the theatre...so I had to stay awake, and then after a couple of minutes, I found I was dead curious as to where and what this film was trying and even succeeding in doing. There was a blind woman discussing a painting in a hallway , the Tzar and his family in one room, 20th century tourists in another, I think there was a 14th century duel in another...it's as if there were ghosts in the museum...and as the narrator speaks about dreams...reality...(?) we pass by as he walks through all the hallways and maybe those are ghosts? I don't know it is left to the feeling of the viewer...never explained...it's just one crazy ass movie...and I loved it for some reason...and it's not FAST or anything...it's a bit of work to watch it, but I found that exciting in some way...very weird...

Candy Minx said...

No, wait, I think it ws an HOUR nine minutes long...it's not a two hour movie or anything...

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