Russian Ark

[diello.livejournal.com]

I was finally able to see the movie Русский ковчег and was thoroughly disappointed in the subtitles. I don't know much Russian at all, but anything I did recognize was not what the subtitles said. And half the talking going on around the main characters wasn't subtitled at all, and I'd say that took up a fair amount of the film. It was as if the subtitles were giving a general statement about the conversations around the characters, if the subs said anything at all.
That aside, I thought the movie was quite boring, except the amazing feat of shooting the whole thing in JUST ONE SHOT. It was like listening to my boring fine art teacher, minus my own input into the discussion.

Comments

[lexabear.livejournal.com]

I agree with you about the incredible boringness. I rented it because I'd heard such wonderful things, and because I was giving anything Russian a shot, but it was the dullest dull that ever dulled.

[nekoth.livejournal.com]

You have to deeply understand russian culture and our traditional ways of thinking and life first, then it wouldn't be so dull :)

[lexabear.livejournal.com]

Well, the costumes were neat. But movies entirely made out of some guy walking around and talking aren't really my thing in general.

[diello.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was hoping for a more visually active approach to Russian history. If I wanted a lecture, I'd have gone to a museum ;)

[nekoth.livejournal.com]

Well that's semi-art-house movie they should be done this way :)

[diello.livejournal.com]

the dullest dull that ever dulled.
In Dulltown. And it just dulled again.

[fox-c.livejournal.com]

If you've ever visited the Hermitage or studied Russian History at all, then it takes on a whole new meaning. I found it absolutely captivating.

[diello.livejournal.com]

Really, I was hoping to see something ANYTHING happen. Rather than watch a guy walk around a museum talking about the history. I'd hoped to have seen the history portrayed and acted upon a little more. But I find my own country's history and art rather boring, too.

[g-l-k.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's the keyword.
Boring, boring.
It's the history. Nothing new for centuries. Boring. Boring.

[g-l-k.livejournal.com]

Really makes me want to see the movie, it does:)

[kite-head.livejournal.com]

I suppose we saw different movies --I found it quite amazing.