alexandral | Day Watch!!!!!!!!!!! Sergey Lukianenko!!!!!!!!!!

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Day Watch!!!!!!!!!!! Sergey Lukianenko!!!!!!!!!!

"Day Watch" is the part of the film adaptation of Russian fantasy book series "Words of Watches" ("Night Watch", "Day Watch", "Twilight Watch" and "The Last Watch") . I am full of happiness because I discovered only today that "World Of Watches" is written by one of my favourite Russian fantasy writers, Sergey Lukianenko (with Vladimir Vasiliev). I think Lukianenko's previous book series Labyrinth (Labyrinth of Reflections, False Mirrors and Transparent stained-glass windows) is exceptional among Russian cyberpunk wave.

Oh, I am going to dive into the book-world of Watches starting from today and may be you will never see me again!

Storyline
There was a battle long time ago between the forces of Light and Darkness. This battle lasted thousands of years and at the end the whole world was in danger of collapsing because the powers of Light and Darkness were equal. At the end they signed a contract of co-existence. In the present day, two guard-forces consisting of people with supernatural abilities (or "Others") exist: Night Watch and Day Watch (Light forces and Dark forces accordingly). These forces try to maintain a balance between Light and Darkness. Others have an ability to access a special time-space continuum, "Twilight".

Films:
The first film "Night Watch" left me with the mixed feelings. There were some good ideas as special effects concerned, but these ideas seemed to be repeated so many times.. All originality was lost in repetition and the story was lost in the special effects. Though I loved the Russianness of "Night Watch", it was full of Russian cultural and fairy-tale references that made me feel back home. I also liked the main characters, especially Anton played by Konstatntyn Khabensky for they were complex and non-black-and-white.

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Day Watch" was so much better for me. It was a very very good film. I only have one doubt in recommending it: it was again full of Russian cultural references that could become lost in translation and subtitles.

So many things were good in Day Watch

Special Effects and cinematography: Were AWESOME. I am may be a little biased here, but I haven't seen anything like it yet. I even **gasp** liked special effects and cinematography in "Day Watch" more then in LOTR. Effects were very original, and made me feel that fabric of the story is real.. And there was just the right amount of the effects so that they were not distracting from the story..

Story: It all started on a not-so-original note of Tamerlane and "the chalk of destiny" but during the progress of the film I felt that this storyline was a part of an intricate parody. I had a feeling that the creators were including parodies on Russian and Western films and books into the flow of the story and into the black humour that was going on throughout the whole film, but was very cleverly done. And the ending was great..

Characters: were complex, interesting and deep. I cared for all of the them: Anton, Svetlana, Olga, Alisa, young vampire Kostya, Kostya's father, even for the devious leader of Moscow forces of Darkness Zavulon. Who is always a tiny bit lagging behind the leader of Moscow forces of Light Geser in deviousness and this is such a reassuring thing.

Forbidden love story between Anton (who is an average level mage) and Svetlana (who is the Greatest mage of them all) . Oh, this was so well-done. Their scenes were my favourite in the film.

Anton:

Svetlana:

Geser, the leader of the Moscow forces of Light:

Zavulon, the leader of the Moscow forces of Darkness:

Olga:

Alisa:

Screencaps, non-spoilery

A VERY fabulous trailer in the trailer_spot's LJ

PS: I have heard that the next film, "Twilight Watch" is going to be filmed in America. Oh, I hope not!!!!!!!!!! (Though it might be selfish of me)

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EEEEEEE! I am very interested in seeing the continuation of the series, because I was fascinated by the first film, which was flawed but still very intriguing.

I hope that the third film is NOT filmed in the U.S. because it would lose so much from the landscape that makes these uniquely Russian.

I hope that the third film is NOT filmed in the U.S. because it would lose so much from the landscape that makes these uniquely Russian.

This is what I read in Wiki: "The film attracted the attention of Fox Searchlight Pictures, which offered to finance the third part and bought the US distribution rights for the whole trilogy. As a consequence, the third part will be filmed in the United States, likely with other actors speaking English instead of Russian"

Oh, is this the end of "Night Watch" as I know it? The part about the different actors is particular worrying. I think it will be probably a usual mediocre Hollywood thing. ** sigh **

So, you've watched the movie!
I agree, "Day watch" was far better then "Night watch". As they say it here, in Russia, the NW opened the line of truly well-filmed russian movies like "State Councilor" but it was still not high-quality. It was like a presentation of new russian abilities. We wanted the world to know that Hollywood is not better for us then our own movies.

I liked Galina Tunina in the movie best of all. She was able to play a man in a woman's body so convincingly!
I also liked the ending. Did I understand it right, you've already read Watches-series of Sergey Lukianenko? Then you must know that they've changed not only the ending but the whole plot. Not entirely but still... It was thoughtful.

So, I consider it a 'must watch' movie for everyone. It's interesting and amusing and full of love and makes you think. I agree there are a lot of our cultural references but I find them pretty explainable for foreigners.

Did you like the music?

P.S. And did you spot Sergey Lukianenko in the row of students in the scene, where Anton in Olga's body comes to get Svetlana from her classes?

NW opened the line of truly well-filmed russian movies like "State Councilor" but it was still not high-quality. It was like a presentation of new russian abilities. We wanted the world to know that Hollywood is not better for us then our own movies.I liked Galina Tunina in the movie best of all. She was able to play a man in a woman's body so convincingly!

Wasn't she just marvelous!! 9I had to re-watch "give me towel" scene a few times :D It is just fantastic! I also liked Mariya Poroshina as Svetlana (there was so much light about her) and Zhanna Friske as Alisa (OMPH! He and Kostya's storyline was so wonderful) . And Zolotuhin was just beyond any words. He broke me heart – I never will see a vampire in the same light again. :D

Did I understand it right, you've already read Watches-series of Sergey Lukianenko? Then you must know that they've changed not only the ending but the whole plot. Not entirely but still... It was thoughtful.

No! I just realized today when I was Googling that Lukianenko wrote the books, I can't wait to start reading. I have read about the changed they made in the film, though.. Please spoil me – Do Svetlana and Anton love each other in the books too?

I agree there are a lot of our cultural references but I find them pretty explainable for foreigners.

Oh, I was so glad that some of my friends who are not Russian found it easy to understand!

Did you like the music?

Music was great too! (he-he I am using too many exclamation marks already!!) Is this some Russian band?

P.S. And did you spot Sergey Lukianenko in the row of students in the scene, where Anton in Olga's body comes to get Svetlana from her classes?

No, I don't know how he looks. Which one was he?

Zhanna Friske was like a surprise for me. She's a singer not an actress so I didn't expect anything other then middling from her. But she was rather good in fact.
Zolotuhin... he was very funny with those vampire's canine teeth. He he, I just realized I've got his autograph!

Please spoil me – Do Svetlana and Anton love each other in the books too? Yes, they do. They've got a daughter. Svetlana quit Watches so she wouldn't outgrow Anton (remember, he was afraid of it). That was a HUGE spoiler from me but I hope you won't be disappointed when you start reading.
About the changes they've made, you see, the books the filmed are just 2 parts of book 1st - "Night Watch" (it consists of 3 parts). The second book - "Day watch" - was not filmed.
I hope I've managed to intrigue you...

Music was great too! (he-he I am using too many exclamation marks already!!) Is this some Russian band?
Not exactly. Are you talking about all the music in the film? Then you must like russian rock or something like that because there was a lot of heavy music.
I was talking about two music-themes, all about Svetlana/Anton (I liked Alice/Kostya too, but I can't find it yet).

You can click on play button here to hear the music.

So, this one is main theme and it was used in 'towel scene'. this one was composed by Yury Poteenko - a russian composer who wrote music for one russian-american project. It's a mini-serial called "Leningrad", maybe you've heard something about it? It's about blockade of the Leningrade during World War II. It's a very good movie but I think it will be less interesting in english version. You see, producers decided to make two versions: one for russian people - and it's about the Blockade and the people caught in it, and american version is mainly about one american journalist in Leningrad and her love life.

The second music theme I liked was the melody that sounds right at the end of the film - when Anton and Svetlana meet again. It was written by Mummy Troll and I think you know about him. I was very surprised it was his music because I considered him a composer of another style. So... happy surprise.

No, I don't know how he looks. Which one was he?
He was the one plump man sitting to the right of Olga/Anton. He's got a mustache.

Zhanna Friske was like a surprise for me. She's a singer not an actress so I didn't expect anything other then middling from her. But she was rather good in fact.

That was a HUGE spoiler from me but I hope you won't be disappointed when you start reading.

Oh, I am such a spoiler-loving person that I often look at the ending before finishing a book.

I hope I've managed to intrigue you...

Oh, of course you did! ** makes calculations ** I hope this means they will make at least 8 films!!!

Not exactly. Are you talking about all the music in the film? Then you must like russian rock or something like that because there was a lot of heavy music.

I do indeed like Russian rock. :D I thought that some of the heavy music was very well-placed and gave an energy to the film. But like you, I liked Svetlana/Anton's theme (so very exotic) and Alice/Kostya's theme (so very heart-breaking) the most. And thank you very much for the music! I will definitely try to find OST.

It's a mini-serial called "Leningrad", maybe you've heard something about it? It's about blockade of the Leningrade during World War II.

I haven't heard of it, but I am very interested now!!

He was the one plump man sitting to the right of Olga/Anton. He's got a mustache

YAY! For some reason it is not how I imagined he would look. :D

Hooray! I'm very much looking forward to this film as I really loved the first one.

I think Anton and Olga were my favourite characters, but basically I loved them all. And I get, a little bit, what you say about its feel of Russianness. Now granted my stay in Russia amounts to two months in St. Petersburg and one week in Moscow, so I'm no expert. ;P But the films convey something that I find very Russian. Maybe it's the light? I feel that's always very telling. For instance Rome is filmed in Italy, and that gives it this special,soft light which is just perfect.

it was full of Russian cultural and fairy-tale references

Intrigued now! Could you name a few examples? I love fairytales and references like that.

YAY! I am so thrilled that you have seen and liked "Night Watch"!

And I get, a little bit, what you say about its feel of Russianness. Now granted my stay in Russia amounts to two months in St. Petersburg and one week in Moscow, so I'm no expert. ;P But the films convey something that I find very Russian. Maybe it's the light?

I think you are right – it is the colours and the light and like

winterspel said, landscapes. There is so much more space there!! "Day Watch" also had lot and lots of snow which is so Russian for me.. :D

Intrigued now! Could you name a few examples? I love fairytales and references like that.

EEEEE! Start me on my favourite subject! I see Anton as one of the most typical Russian fairytale characters, Ivan-the-fool. Ivan is not really a fool, but he is considered to be more simple then he really is. He is a character who always manages to win the day and outwit everyone (by seemingly pure luck sometimes) and who also has a big heart and cares for everyone.. In my mind Columbo and Pullo are something of Ivan-the-fool category a little, though they are different.. :D I think Ivan-the-fool is really a VERY Russian character.

Also in the Ivan-the-fool book I had (there are different varieties) he rescues three animals, one of them is an Owl. They all help him later. Owls are often used in Russian fairytales. So Olga-the-owl felt so like a creature from the old fairytale.

Olga is one of the oldest and genuinely Russian names, often found in old Russian folklore and stories, and so is Svetlana (which literally means "Light" in Russian). In "Day Watch" there is a very interesting explanation of why Olga was made to be an owl. Very Shippy. The whole film is very shippy!!!

Re: the light and the landscape.

Yes, in my experience these are vital to give a film or series that correct feel. Take for instance all those Robin Hood series/films that have been shot in Eastern Europe. They just look wrong and lack that feeling of Britishness. (at least to me)

I see Anton as one of the most typical Russian fairytale characters, Ivan-the-fool.

Eee! This is so great! All these little pieces of cultural background that I didn't know about. Thank you for telling me. And I love the part about Olga, with it being such an old name and all. It really gives the character an extra dimension.

Oh, You are the one who is indulging me with Russian fairytale talk!!

The film also had references on Russian songs and comedy skits ..This is the way the Russian films are often made and it is a part of great appeal. I know in UK they like to make films like that too, they also often cross-reference. I was reminded of it when we watched "Hot Fuzz" recently. Oh, I meant to write about "Hot Fuzz" and forgotten..

Oh, and also I thought the depiction of Vampires was more aligned with Slavic fairytales then with the Hollywood vampire films. (Much less of black leather.. :D). Have you ever read "Vampire family" by Russian 19th century writer Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy?

I love cultural cross-references! But they are so hard to catch aren't they? Over the years I've managed to learn a few of the British and American ones, and since I've studied a lot of German history I'm starting to manage a few of the German ones. But it's hard. ;D

Have you ever read "Vampire family" by Russian 19th century writer Alexei Konstantinovich Tolstoy?

No, the only Tolstoy I've read is Leo. Tell me more? But vampires with less black leather sounds good. That and lace have been slightly over used in the vampire clothing department. Hee.

I love cultural cross-references! But they are so hard to catch aren't they?

They are.. This was the hardest part about moving into a different country for me, that it involves not just a new language but also a whole new cultural set-up.. It gets better with time, but slowly because the volume of information is so big.

No, the only Tolstoy I've read is Leo. Tell me more? But vampires with less black leather sounds good. That and lace have been slightly over used in the vampire clothing department. Hee.

Aleksey (Aleksei) Konstantinovich Tolstoy is most famous for his satirical poetry under a nick-name "Kozma Prutkov". But somewhere in the middle he wrote these scary almost fairy-tale like stories as adaptation of some of Slavic folklore. Sadly I could not find any of his little stories anywhere for sale in English translations, but I will keep my eyes opened. The stories are great and very scary. There were films made, IMDB link here (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0866239/) . To confuse the matters there was also a famous 20-th century writer, Aleksei Nikolaevich Tolstoy. :D

Ooo thank you! This sounds great and I'll be sure to check it out. I love scary stories inspired by folklore. :)

Oh, it is SO scary!! May be because it feels more real without black leather and coffins.

Thank you so much for this post! I'd totally forgotten I wanted to read that book.

Have you seen the film?

No, but running across it on imdb somehow was what inspired me to want to read the book. I asked mom if she had a copy and she does, but she said she didn't like it that much.

I wound up splurging at the bookstore yesterday and buying it because the library doesn't carry a copy. However, I'm going to her house this weekend.

Should I read the book first? Or watch the movie? Usually I'm all about the book-then-movie, but with The Dresden Files and Dexter I've seen the visual medium before the print and it's been interesting. Not at all distracting, as I expected it to be. I wonder if it's the nature of TV versus movies, though.

I wound up splurging at the bookstore yesterday and buying it because the library doesn't carry a copy. However, I'm going to her house this weekend.

Yay! I also found a copy in Russian on-line library (they have such a thing), but I haven't strated it yet, I was VERY busy at work.

Should I read the book first? Or watch the movie?

By what I have heard, the book and the movie are quite different and I find it easier in this ase, then some part of a surprise is still left.. I also watched "Dresden files" before I read the first book. "Night Watch" is pretty interesting, but as

winterspel said, flawed.

As I understand it the third part is only filmed with English dialogue to avoid subtitles. It's still made in Russia by the same Russian team (http://imdb.com/title/tt0418205/).
I also suspect that filming has already taking place.

Oh, thank you so much! I got really worried after reading "Wiki", but I know from the past experience that you can't trust everything you read there.

I am slightly jelauos that you are going to see "Day Watch" on the big screen.;D

I'm pretty sure that the movie will also get a theatrical release in the UK later this year. So you will also get the opportunity to see it on a big screen if you want to. :)

I hope so! I appreciate very much all the knowledge you share about the films!!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! I didn't love Night Watch, but I definitely find the whole concept interesting and the visuals were pretty awesome, enough to convince me to see Day Watch as soon as it's released here in Spain!!!!

I am going to re-watch "Day Watch" on big screen too. Visuals and special effects are so good, they MUST be seen in cinema..

But I loved many parts of the story too, especially Anton and Svetlana (remember lady they rescued in "Night Watch"?)

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Day Watch!!!!!!!!!!! Sergey Lukianenko!!!!!!!!!!

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