Russian Ark Image
Metascore

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critics

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 46 Ratings

Summary: An unseen man regains consciousness, not knowing who or where he is. No one seems to be able to see him, except the mysterious man dressed in black. He eventually learns through their discussions that this man is a 19th century French aristocrat, who he coins the "European". This turn of events is unusual as the unseen man has a knowledge of the present day. The two quickly learn that they are in the Winter Palace of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the European who has a comprehensive knowledge of Russian history to his time. As the two travel through the palace and its grounds, they interact with people from various eras of Russian history, either through events that have happened at the palace or through the viewing of artifacts housed in the museum. Ultimately, the unseen man's desired journey is to move forward, with or without his European companion.
Runtime: 99 min
Production: Egoli Tossell Film
Genres: Drama, History, Fantasy
Countries: Russia, Germany
Language: Russian
Home Release Date: Sep 9, 2003
Director Credit
Aleksandr Sokurov Director
Writer Credit
Aleksandr Sokurov Writer
Anatoli Nikiforov Writer
Boris Khaimsky Writer
Svetlana Proskurina Writer
Cast Credit
Aleksandr Chaban Boris Piotrovsky
Alla Osipenko Herself
Artyom Strelnikov Talented Boy
David Giorgobiani Orbeli
Leonid Mozgovoy The Spy
Lev Yeliseyev Himself
Maksim Sergeyev Peter The Great
Mariya Kuznetsova Catherine The Great
Mikhail Piotrovsky Himself (Hermitage Director)
Natalya Nikulenko Catherine The Great
Oleg Khmelnitsky Himself
Sergei Dontsov The Stranger (The Marquis De Custine)
Tamara Kurenkova Herself (Blind Woman)
Yelena Rufanova First Lady
Yelena Spiridonova Second Lady
Producer Credit
Alla Tyaglova Assistant Producer: Hermitage Bridge Studio
Alla Verlotsky Associate Producer
Andrey Deryabin Producer
Andrey Shatilov Assistant Producer: Hermitage Bridge Studio
Christiane Thieme Assistant Producer: Egoli Tossell Film AG
Jens Meurer Producer
Karsten Stöter Producer
Larissa Maevokaya Assistant Producer: Hermitage Bridge Studio
Oliver Damian Line Producer: Egoli Tossell Film AG
Tatyana Tverskaya Assistant Producer: Hermitage Bridge Studio
Victor Gailunas Line Producer: Hermitage Bridge Studio
Vladimir Pliatskovsky Assistant Producer: Hermitage Bridge Studio
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