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Russian Ark was released in 2013, and was quickly described as one of the best documentaries of our time. The protagonist awakens, confused and unaware and he takes a walk through the Hermitage museum in Russia.
The exhibits however are surrounded by people wearing the costuming of their time. As he walks past each exhibit, he sees the history of Russia played out before him.
This documentary broke a number of records. For one thing, it's the longest "one shot" of all time. For an hour and thirty five minutes, the single camera man constantly shoots everything that occurs. There are no breaks or jump cuts. Instead, it is filmed as though as we are truly there ourselves, to help us feel as if we are looking at history as it unfolds.
If that doesn't sound impressive to you, it really should. Consider this; if any of the actors playing different historical rolls had badly flubbed a line, or tripped, or not hit their marks, he would have had to start all over again.
Most amateur groups can't keep a shot going for more then a minute.
Doing a "one shot" is an expression of skill. Everyone involved in the production, including both actors, camera men, sfx people, and the production crew must all carry out their respective parts at the same time in order to do it successfully. If any one person fails, they must rely on editing or start over again. It could be anything. Someone trips, someone hesitates briefly on a line. The equipment fails slightly. Anything.
After shooting this film, the camerman described how his arm nearly failed to hold up the camera for the final minute of recording. He was that tired. He had to keep pace with everything going and hold the camera steady for more than an hour. Though modern camera are lighter, he was also carrying the weight of a steady cam. That is exhausting work.
The entire movie is available to be watched on youtube.
Here is something else to consider.
As one of the most respected documentaries produced in this century, it is being offered on youtube and there is no attempt to protect the copyright. Some money was made for it upon release and immediately afterward, but everyone involved has given up on getting any money for it now. This is realistic. Movies don't make money anymore except on the first few weeks after they are released.
Piracy in all its forms has so destroyed the ability of creative people to get paid, that this incredible work of skill is no longer making any money at all for the excellent people who made it. Many of those excellent people are out of work, and unable to pay their rent.
Although I am capable of breaking any method of protection out there, for a long time I resisted watching pirated movies out of a sense of ethics. Years ago, I finally recognized something that everyone should probably get.
These people made a movie that they wanted people to watch, and no matter what happens from this moment forward, they aren't going to get paid. Our economic system is broken. It has been broken for a long time. It isn't going to be fixed in the years to come unless we fix it.
So watch whatever you can. At least give the creators the knowledge that their work is being seen.