NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR)

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.

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) was an instant smash hit in its native Russia when it was released in July 2004 shattering all previous box office records. Made for a mere $4 million, the film surpassed both LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING and SPIDER-MAN 2 at the Russian box office. Internationally acclaimed, it was also Russia's contender for the 2004 foreign language Oscar® award.

Official Website: http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/nwnd/

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) - Cast

KONSTANTIN KHABENSKY (Anton Gorodetsky)

Konstantin Khabensky stars as Anton Gorodetsky, a member of The Night Watch who patrols Moscow fighting those who wish to unsettle the balance between Dark and Light.

Khabensky is one of Russia's hardest working and most successful actors with more than 70 credits to his name. His many films include THE ADMIRER by Nikolay Lebedev, LADY'S PROPERTY and US by Dmitry Meskhiev, LINES OF DESTINY by Dmitry Meskhiev, STATE COUNCILOR by Filipp Yankovsky, and DEAD SOULS by Pavel Lungin.

His TV credits include "National Security Agent" and "Empire Under Attack" as well as five seasons as a policeman on the hit show "Impact Force."

A member of the State Institute of Theater, Music and Cinema in Leningrad (LGITMiK) since 1990, Khabensky's major roles include Lomov in the vaudeville "Chekhov Jokes," several parts in "Vysotsky Times," Matto in Fellini's "La Strada," Chebutykin in Chekhov's "Three Sisters" and Estragon (Gogo) in "Waiting for Godot."

He will return as Anton in the sequel to NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR).

VLADIMIR MENSHOV (Boris Geser)

In the role of Boris Geser, the implacable head of The Moscow Night Watch, is Vladimir Menshov. A widely respected theater and film actor, scriptwriter, director, producer and member of the People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Menshov's film acting credits include THE HAPPY KUKUSHKIN, A MAN IN THE RIGHT PLACE, HIS OWN OPINION, COURIER and THE RUSSIAN RAGTIME.

He directed MOSCOW DISTRUSTS TEARS, which won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar® in 1981. Additional directing credits include FOOL'S GAME, which won him the State Prize at the RSFSR; LOVE AND PIGEONS, which won the Golden Tower at the 1990 International Comedy Film Festival; SHIRLY-MYRLY, which was the biggest film at the Russian box office in 1995; and ENVY OF GODS.

A graduate of the Moscow Artistic Academic Theater (MkhAT) Studio School and post-graduate student of direction at the All-Union Cinematography Institute, since 1970 Menshov has been an actor and director at the Mosfilm Studio, and, since 1977, president and art director of the Genre Studio Mosfilm Concern.

VALERY ZOLOTUKHIN (Kostya's Father)

Valery Zolotukhin has appeared in more than 40 feature films including: BLOCK HEAD, DEAD SOULS, TREASURE ISLAND and LITTLE TRAGEDIES.

Zolotukhin graduated from the State Theatrical Art Institute (GITIS) department of musical comedy. A People's Artist of the Russian Federation, he has acted in the Mossoviet Academic Theater, the Taganka Drama and Comedy Theater and the Fireplace Theater.

MARIA POROSHINA (Svetlana)

Maria Poroshina plays Svetlana, the legendary Virgin who brings misfortune wherever she goes.

A graduate of the Moscow Art Theatre School and the Shchukin Theatrical School, Poroshina has worked extensively in film, theater and television. Her feature film credits include BRIGADE, FOURTH WISH, ALWAYS SAY ALWAYS, DISTRICT, DEATH OF EMPIRE, FULL MOON and CHERUB.

Poroshina is a member of the Sergey Vinogradov Theatrical Company. Her mother was a director of the Bolshoi Theatre.

GALINA TUNINA (Olga)

Galina Tunina plays Olga, a shape-shifting member of The Night Watch who helps Anton on his quest.

Tunina's feature credits include PROGULKA and DNEVNIK YEGO ZHENY. A native of Moscow, she is a graduate of the Saratov Theatrical School and an alum of the Saratov Karl Marx Drama Theater. In 1988 she entered the direction department of the State Theatrical Art Institute (GITIS) master class by Peter Fomenko and began acting in the Peter Fomenko Studio Theater (Moscow). In 2000, Tunina won the incentive youth grant Triumph Prize.

VICTOR VERZHBITSKY (Zavulon)

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) marks the third feature Victor Verzhbitsky, who plays Zavulon, the leader of the Day Watch, has done with Timur Bekmambetov following THE PESHWAR WALTZ and GLADIATRIX aka THE ARENA.

Verzhbitsky graduated from the Tashkent Theatrical Art Institute in 1983. Until 1995 he acted in the Tashkent M.Gorky State Academic Drama Theater and in 1997 he joined the New Moscow Drama Theater headed by B.A.Lvov-Anokhin. Since 1998, Verzhbitsky has been a member of the Et Cetera Theater headed by Alexander Kalyagin where his roles have included the Lecturer in "The Guide for those Who Wish to Get Married" by A.P.Chekhov and Victor Pukhov in "The Contest" by A.Galin.

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) – Crew

TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV (Director/Co-screenwriter)

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) marks the third feature film for director/co-screenwriter Timur Bekmambetov who is widely considered to be Russia's leading advertising and pop video director.

Following his graduation from the A.N. Ostrovsky Institute of Theatrical Arts in Tashkent, Bekmambetov worked as a set designer for the Ilkhom Theater and the Uzbekfilm Studio. He directed his first commercial in 1989 and has since helmed more than 500 for brands ranging from Pepsi to Golden Barrel beer to Daewoo cars. His work has received many international advertising awards, including the Grand Prix at the Moscow International Festival (1994), the New Europe Festival in Slovenia (1994) and the Best Image Advertising Award at the Houston Festival (1995).

Bekmambetov's directorial and screenwriting debut was 1994's THE PESHWAR WALTZ, for which he received Best Director and the film received Best Ensemble at the Karlovy Vary International Festival. In 1999, he produced and directed the eight-part TV miniseries "Our 90s." The following year he helmed his second feature, GLADIATRIX aka THE ARENA, which was executive produced by Roger Corman.

Bekmambetov will also helm the sequel to NIGHT WATCH, which has recently completed principal photography.

He is founder and General Director of the Imperial Film Closed Stock Company and TABBAK Film Studio.

SERGEI LUKYANENKO (Co-screenwriter/Novelist)

Sergei Lukyanenko is one of Russia's foremost fantasy novelists. The best-selling author of the "Night Watch," "Day Watch" and "Dusk Watch" trilogy, as well as "Labyrinth of Reflections," "Stars as Cold Toys," "Star Shadow," "A Lord From The Planet Earth" and "False Mirrors," Lukyanenko first achieved popularity with his novel "Knights Of The Forty Islands" and in 1999 became the youngest winner of the Aelita Prize, the oldest national award conferred for the great contribution to fantasy.

In 2001, Sergei Lukyanenko became the first Russian Fantasy Prizewinner and in 2003 his novel "Spectrum" won the Golden Roscon Prize. A native of Kazakhstan, Lukyanenko graduated from the Alma-Ata State Medical Institute, as a qualified psychiatrist.

KONSTANTIN ERNST (Producer)

General Director of Channel One Russia since 2000, Konstantin Ernst is one of Russia's most successful film and television producers.

Ernst graduated from Leningrad State University where he studied biology. In 1988, he began work in TV both in front of the camera and behind as a producer and director. In 1995, he was appointed General Producer of ORT where he won a number of Russian Television Academy awards as Best Producer for his TV shows, including "Old Songs about the Eternal" and "Impact Force."

In addition to NIGHT WATCH and its sequel, Ernst's credits include CHECKPOINT, WAITING HALL, REMEMBERING SHERLOCK HOLMES, EMPIRE UNDER STRIKE, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WOLVES, RUSSIANS IN THE CITY OF ANGELS, DIVERSIONIST and THE NARROW BRIDGE.

ANATOLY MAXIMOV (Producer)

Anatoly Maximov is Deputy General Director, Cinema Programming and Production for Channel One Russia, and has been in partnership with Konstantin Ernst for 12 years. In addition to NIGHT WATCH and its sequel, the two have produced some of the most successful Russian television and films of the post-Soviet era. Their joint credits include "Waiting Hall," "Remembering Sherlock Holmes," "Empire Under Strike," "The Other Side Of The Wolves," "Russians In The City of Angels," "Diversionist" and "The Narrow Bridge."

Maximov graduated from Moscow State University in 1983 where he majored in philology. He then worked as a research associate in the Museum of Cinema and All-Russia Institute of Art History before teaching cinema history at the All-Russia Cinematography Institute (VGIK) and Higher School of Scriptwriters and Directors in Moscow and lecturing at New York University. He has published numerous articles on cinema history for various trade publications.

SERGEI TROFIMOV (Director of Photography)

Sergei Trofimov is a long-time collaborator of director/writer Timur Bekmambetov. In addition to shooting more than 300 commercials and videos with him, Trofimov made his debut as director of photography on Bekmambetov's debut feature, THE PESHWAR WALTZ.

Trofimov graduated from the Moscow Management Institute in 1983 before studying filmmaking at the All-Russia Cinematography Institute (VGIK).

VALERY VICTOROV (Art Director)

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) marks Art Director Valery Victorov's second feature film credit. The first was for his collaboration with Timur Bekmambetov on GLADIATRIX aka THE ARENA.

DMITRI KISELEV (Editor)

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) marks Dmitri Kiselev's second film with Timur Bekmambetov. Previously he was both editor and sound editor on GLADIATRIX aka THE ARENA. Kiselev also edited Dmitri Fiks' Russian/German/English co-production THE SECOND FRONT.

YURI POTEYENKO (Music By)

Yuri Poteyenko has composed the music for 12 films including: DESTINY LINE, directed by V. Konovalov; THE UNDRESSED, directed by K. Serebrennikov; and SEX FAIRY-TALE, directed by E. Nikolayeva, which won several international film festival awards.

Poteyenko graduated from the Moscow Conservatory of Music in 1986. From 1987 to 1991 he worked for the Melody All-Union Gramophone Recording Studio as the head editor for pop music and in 1988 he joined the USSR Composer Union. Since 1997, Poteyenko has been a professor at the Moscow Conservatory.

NIGHT WATCH (NOCHNOI DOZOR) ©2006 Joint Stock Company "Channel One Russia" TM and ©2006 Twentieth Century Fox