Night Watch - Nochnoi Dozor

[Anarky]

Hello there,

new thread from me just because I thought I'd have to tell you. Anyways, new movie-thread, another weird movie. As you might have guessed, I'm currently rather sick of Hollywood. Sure, here and there are some good things, but watching Banlieue 13 (France, 2004) I started to look beyond the big white letters.

You might have guessed from the title, some of you might know the language, some might not, but I'll tell you anyways. It's russian. It's, I think, the most expensive russian movie to this date. Now, we know from Waterworld that a big budget is not equal a good movie (allthough I kind of like the idea behind Waterworld), but this one looks very interesting. It is even interesting enough that Fox Seachlight (yes, that Fox) licensed it for international marketing. Also, it's going to be in cinemas this fall.

Story:

For as long as humanity has existed, there have been "Others" among us; Witches, Vampires and Shape-Shifters who are soldiers in the eternal war between Light and Dark.

Light Others protect mankind from Dark Others, who plague and torture humans.

Over 1000-years ago a truce was struck between Gesser, Lord of the Light, and Zavulon, General of Darkness. They agreed that no one could be forced to good or evil, people must choose freely for themselves. To uphold this truce, each side established underground forces; the soldiers of the Light would be called Night Watch, making sure Dark Others obeyed the truce. And the soldiers of Darkness would be called Day Watch, to do the same.

Ancient prophecy foretells that one day the Great One will arrive who can end the threat of an apocalyptic battle between Light and Dark Others. That day has come, and the Great One, once he or she is identified, must choose whether to destroy the light within or battle the surrounding darkness. This choice will reveal mankind's destiny.

1992:
Anton Gordesky, a broken-hearted man, desperate to win back his fiancée, seeks out the black magic services of a witch. This Dark Other, about to use her magic for evil, is arrested by the Night Watch moments before for completing her spell. The cataclysmic event awakens Anton to discover that he is an Other. Now he must choose whether to become a protector of light or warrior of darkness.

Today:
Somewhere on the streets of Moscow the "Great One" wanders, oblivious to his or her powers. Anton, along with his Night Watch team, race to find and protect the Great One from Zavulon and his Day Watch vampires who seek to plunge the world into darkness. Whoever reaches the Great One first will hold the balance of power in their hands and control the fate of humanity.

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) is the first installment of a trilogy based on the best-selling Russian sci-fi novels of Sergei Lukyanenko (which also includes Day Watch and Dusk Watch). This visionary horror fantasy film features a dazzling mix of mind-blowing effects, adrenaline-fuelled action and suspenseful terror.

Anyways, horrormovie-fans will probably enjoy this. Here's some links:

Officila site
Trailer

And to conclude: some impressions.