In case you missed it … ‘Night Watch’ & ‘Day Watch’

Nochnoy dozor, also known as Night Watch (2004) in the English-speaking world, was directed by Timur Bekmambetov. [Timur Bekmambetov last directed the forth coming action film Wanted.] When I first heard of Night Watch, I eagerly awaited its release. I remember reading about it online, that it was to be the first of an epic horror trilogy from Russia. Well, this just simply had my curiosity peaked and tweaked. After a fairly lengthy wait, I rushed out to my local art-house theatre (the only one showing the film at the time) and purchased my ticket. I entered the theatre with much anticipation, awaiting the dancing hot dog and popcorn on the screen, casually enjoyed a few trailers and then it happened… Night Watch began.

At the end of the movie, I wasn’t sure how I felt. I mean it was good and all, but it wasn’t what I thought it would be. Then again, what did I think I was going to get? Part of the reason I was so excited to see it was because I’d never seen a horror film from Russia before, and forget an epic trilogy. So, like any self-respecting movie geek would do, I went and saw the movie again… after about a week or so of digestion. Surprise! I found a whole new appreciation for the film. In an attempt to dilute a rather complex story down to a sentence or two, the movie follows Anton through his experience of learning he is an “Other,” a type of human with supernatural powers. Anton is recruited into an organization which is charged with governing during the day against the forces of dark. In turn, the forces of dark govern the night against the forced of light. The two sides have been in a truce for centuries, but a series of events combined with a prophecy are threatening to bring that truce to a bloody end. Psychics, mystics, vampires, mages … all sorts of nifty beings inhabit this Russian world of the supernatural.

The story continues with Day Watch (2006), bringing us deeper into the story and closer to the ultimate fate of the world. One of the coolest ideas from the movie is that these Others are able to shift between our reality and a separate supernatural reality coexisting with ours called The Gloom. This inter-spatial realm allows the Others to see more clearly but like a drug, time inside the realm must be limited. Bekmambetov has developed a style of dark moody atmosphere and some interesting cinematography that perfectly compliments this creepy saga. I have grown to really enjoy the first two films, appreciating them for the complex fantasy horror films they are, offering a new twist on the genre combining elements of classic monsters and the supernatural with that of the more American superhero genre.

I am eagerly awaiting the third and final installment, Twilight Watch, currently in production and tentatively due out in theatres sometime in 2009. And no, I do not own either of the first two movies. Like the fiscally responsible movie geek I am, I am awaiting to buy the trilogy box set… hopefully on Blu-Ray.