This film is a joint effort by Boris Grebenschikov and Sergey Kurekhin... so if you are Russian you probably already know that you're in for quite a ride. It is well-known in Russia, so much so that few catch-phrases from the film have even entered nation's subconscious, like "Get up, Kolchak is coming" or "Sod hanging from the mast is better than shark in our hold"... great phrase... hey, wait a minute... Makarov couldn't say that... What the f... a Shark? Better? Why? Does it make any sense?
Well, in my opinion it does. That is exactly a kind of humor that makes this movie work. The film is no doubt bizarre, absurdist and almost entirely black-and white pseudo-documentary, with cameos by Grebenschikov and Kurekhin, occasional bursts of color and abstract cartoons. It roughly deals with the history of Russian fleet in the first two decades of twentieth century.
Two things though keep me from treating as a "schlockumentary" - first, excellent, grim and haunting soundtrack by Kurekhin, and second, clever tongue-in-cheek funny monologues. You almost believe in what is said, said in a serious and solemn tone, only to understand that it all was a razor-sharp joke just played on you.
Definitely this is not a film for everybody. I personally would recommend it... if it seems your kind of film, then grab it and watch it.
