Russia10 Essential Russian FilmsStop 6 of 10

Russian Ark

Name: Russian Ark
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, History
Released: 2002
Duration: 99 min

Русский ковчег

2002 · 99 min · Drama

A disembodied narrator and a time-traveling European aristocrat drift through the halls of St. Petersburg's Winter Palace, wandering across three centuries of Russian history. Alexander Sokurov's astonishing reverie, filmed in one unbroken take.

Why it’s here

Sokurov’s technically singular Hermitage odyssey compresses centuries of Russian history and culture into one continuous shot.

Runtime: 99 min
Genre: Drama · Fantasy · History
Mood: thoughtful
Entry: some context
Best for: shorter watch

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Part of 10 Essential Russian Films

This film is stop 6 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Russia. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

Watching this film stamps Russia in the 196 country film challenge.