Educational Media Reviews Online

The Hermitage Dwellers is the first of two documentaries produced about the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. It differs from the 5 episode version entitled Hermitage-niks, by spending more time with each individual being interviewed. This film highlights the personal connection of each individual to the Hermitage and explores why it means so much to them. There is a bittersweet poignancy that comes through all the interviews. Each one, in some way, has suffered great loss yet finds redemption and peace within the walls of the Hermitage and by the work they do.

The documentary has some riveting interviews with Hermitage employees that have been associated with the museum since prior to WWII. There are excellent oral histories about the effects of politics, dictators, war, famine and a mad man, on the museum. Older interviewees are very candid about the quality of life under the Soviet regime. Woven into the discussion are historical film footage and photos showing the search for icons in the 1920s, destruction of churches and the secret theft of artwork by the KGB in the 1930s, German air raids over the Hermitage in the 1940s, and the effects of politics on the collections in the 1950s and 1960s.

The cinematography is clear and crisp, the sound is excellent. Most of the interviews are in Russian with English subtitles. The subtitles are short and easy to read although it seems that they are not complete translations of the responses. If you have an interest in art history, Soviet or Russian history, or the effect of politics on art, this documentary will provide much to think about and to discuss.

Awards

• Grand Prize, Montreal Festival of Films on Art, 2006
• Winner, Best Cultural Program, Dutch Academy Awards, 2003