'Birgit Beumers’ book is an excellent primer on the movie, contextualizing it and presenting the critical reception and scholarly analysis the motion picture has inspired. At once a production history, a film analysis and a history of the museum, the Chair of the Film Studies Department at Aberystwyth University has written a concise and thought-provoking volume. Based on interviews, research and an interpretation of the digital movie, Dr. Beumers explores the contradictions and controversies for viewers, scholars and critics responding to the film, which celebrates Russian modern history and Russian nationalism by focusing on an international collection of Western European Art, featuring mostly art collected by the strong and charismatic Empress Catherine II.' 

Note on transliteration

Acknowledgements

KinoSputniks general editors’ preface

List of illustrations

Production credits

Plot summary

Chapter 1: Introduction and production history

Chapter 2: Contexts

Chapter 3: Film analysis

Chapter 4: Themes and motifs

Chapter 5: Reception

Conclusion: The sinking ship