Russian filmmaker Alexander Sokurov, who swept us through the Hermitage Museum in Russian Ark, now shifts his focus to Paris and the Louvre, particularly during World War II, when museum director Jacques Jaujard had to negotiate with Franz Graf Wolff-Metternich, representing the German occupation forces. Combining dramatic recreations with documentary footage, Sokurov also brings life to some of the paintings’ subjects, including a pompous Napoleon and the beautiful Marianne, the French goddess of liberty. Narrating throughout, Sokurov creates a stunning essay-meditation on history, demonstrating his conviction that museums are the veritable DNA of a civilization. In French, Russian and German with English subtitles. Writer/Director: Alexander Sokurov. (France/Germany/Netherlands 2015) 87 min.