Night Watch

Night Watch is a dark, stylish Russian film which takes on the unenviable task of combining the age old story of good vs. evil with a modern setting, a detailed mythology and a relatively small budget. The film follows the activities of two groups, the Night Watch and the Day Watch, set up to maintain the peace between Light and Dark after a great battle. In a Cold-War style stand-off, the two sides watch each other intently, but neither side is willing to break the truce. The story is mainly told by following the movements of Anton Gorodetsky, played by Konstantin Khabensky. After going through an intense event in his life, Anton finds himself in a strange state and discovers that he is an ‘Other’, someone who has certain special powers, and must choose whether to join the Night Watch (Light) or the Day Watch (Dark). He chooses the Night Watch, and joins them in their regulation of the powers of Darkness. Khabensky’s performance is quietly powerful and well judged, and matches the decaying surroundings of an old Russian city.

The film is dark throughout, in terms of tone and visuals, and the filming style is often a refreshing break from factory-produced, airbrushed Hollywood movies. Although the good-evil story is one that may by now seem all too familiar, the way the history of the world and the strangeness of the situation is relayed means that the next step is never predictable. In addition, there is always much left unexplained, even by the end of the film, and the questions surrounding a lot of what is going on is a great part of the experience of the film. If there were one problem with the movie it would be that it is the first of a trilogy and so builds very slowly and leaves many questions unanswered. If you can steel yourself for an ending with the story feeling only half done and which leaves you waiting expectantly for the sequel, then sit back and enjoy a taste of some great modern foreign cinema.

Patrick Telford