Starring: Sergei Dontsov, Mariya Kuznetsova, Leonid Mozgovoy, David Giorgobiani
Directed by: Aleksandr Sokurov

Howdy!

Now this is really a movie that you are unlikely to go out and see. However, I have seen it in at my local movie store (I avoid large video store chains!) and so I will review it in case you come across it.

This is an artistic movie, almost a documentary. The dialogue is all in Russian, of course, with English subtitles. There is no real plot or action, but rather it is a voyage through the Hermitage museum in St. Petersburg. This is essentially the art collection of some of the Tsars of the past and it is just incredible to see some parts of the collection on display. Also, the movie is historical in that you will see many scenes with individuals in clothing from the 18th and 19th century.

This marvelous tour of the Hermitage is done by a mysterious French art critic who is teleported to Russia. He tours the museum with another person, a Russian, who we never see (you see through his eyes with the camera). Very quickly, you can't help but dislike this art critic and his criticisms of Russian culture and art.

By the end of the movie, you may look at Russian culture in a different light. Interesting movie to watch, if you are in the right mood.

Editor's note: Mauler forgot to mention the amazing technical accomplishment of this movie. The entire movie was done in a single take, from beginning to end, with no cuts. Pretty neat, from a technical standpoint.

Mauler
Jack