Simultaneously a screwball comedy and a love story tinged with sadness, the film is traditionally broadcast in russia and some other former soviet republics and satellite. The comedy born by the director eldar ryazanov is the most loved film of all russia, writes lurkmore. The sequel picks up thirty years later as a new love affair unfolds between the son and daughter of the originals. The irony of fate russia and the former soviet unions favorite new years movie. Mikael tariverdiev the irony of fateoriginal score blurt. A sequel to arguably the most beloved soviet comedy, irony of fate, this film was created on the 30th anniversary of the original, which involves a magical night between two strangers, a. The songs tell a story independent of whats happening on the screen, and one thats happened in plenty of places outside 1970s mother russia. Every year on new years eve, at least one tv channel in russia will show the irony of fate, a threehour movie that was made for tv in 1975. Loosely based on a play called once on new years eve, ryazanovs the irony of fate is a soviet romantic television film. In russia, a sovietera movie to ring in the new year. How do you make a film that conquers the minds and hearts of old and young, poor and rich, careless and thoughtful. A soviet television film the irony of fate, or enjoy your bath. It was a massive hit, so successful that it was released in theaters later that year.
The irony of fate 100 years of soviet cinema senses of cinema. New year has not been celebrated without it since 1976, when it was first aired on television. The irony of fate was a soviet madefortelevision romantic comedy that aired throughout the soviet union on january 1st, 1976. But the irony of fate owes part of its immense popularity not just to its genius director, its clever comedy, its satirical subplot or its starring actors. Though i suppose it must be said that the movie was made a long time ago.
Review by michael glover smith 1 this feelgood, sentimental romcom is paradoxically both russiantothebone and universal in its broad appeal. The story of the film is actually quite interesting. Despite its length 180 minutes broken into two 90minute episodes, it became an instant hit and has been played on television every new years eve in russia and other former soviet states for the last 40 years. It has since become a russian holiday tradition, airing on new years eve every year since. Directed by veteran eldar ryazanov office romance, a cruel romance, the 1976 romantic comedydrama the irony of fate is one of the most successful soviet russian television film productions ever, still getting aired on russian tv every holiday season. Russian salad with lots of mayonnaise kisses and hugs. For russian enthusiasts, film fans, and englishlearners. Like carnival night, the irony of fate is a romantic comedy that takes place on new years eve and is imbued with the holidays anythingcan. With konstantin khabenskiy, elizaveta boyarskaya, sergey bezrukov, andrey myagkov.
The irony of fate aired on soviet television in two parts on jan. Nov 30, 2015 his signature film the hugely popular 1975 tv movie irony of fate became an instant holiday classic of the scope of its a wonderful life in the former. The movie plot line has become well used in movies. Learn the russian cases through one film explore russian. What every russian knows and you dont by olga fedina is a new book that helps you crack the russian cultural code. Filmed in 1975 at the mosfilm studios, the irony of fate doubles as a screwball comedy and a love story tinged with sadness. This original 1975 irony of fate is a marvelous classic soviet film. The bitter irony is that the thief is not very clever, absolutely not insidious, and moreover a virtuous person and his friend.
I recently made a course on how to learn the russian cases through only one film, the most famous russian. All the examples have been taken from exact phrases throughout the film. His signature film the hugely popular 1975 tv movie irony of fate became an instant holiday classic of the scope of its a wonderful life in the former. Sep 27, 2017 by 1967, the ussr was producing more than films yearly. The events of the new movie take place 30 years after the original one. Following the awardnominated film music collection of last year, comes the first in a series of standalone reissues documenting the astonishing body of work by russian composer mikael.
It was one of the most successful soviet television productions and remains a highly popular new years eve classic in russia and the. And those songs and the underscore that accompanied them have become as memorable as the film itself, they have become part of the russian musical dna, recognised. The love drama that was there between zhenya and nadya was generic. It is very good also it was the highest grossing film ever shown in russia, with the exception of avatar. Parallels the irony of fate is the countrys favorite holiday movie. The irony of fate 2 2007 by johnny web uncle scoopy. This original 1975 irony of fate is a marvelous classic soviet film which cannot be recommended highly enough. Russian most popular new year movie the irony of fate, or. Mar 28, 2011 the irony of fate, or enjoy your bath 2 episode comedy, directed by eldar ryazanov, 1976 duration. Dec 31, 2019 the irony of fate was a soviet madefortelevision romantic comedy that aired throughout the soviet union on january 1st, 1976. Ever since it debuted in 1976, russian families have watched the twopart tv movie the irony of fate together, at least as background noise. Continuation is a 2007 russian romantic comedy film directed by timur bekmambetov based on a screenplay by.
Dec 12, 2011 a sequel to arguably the most beloved soviet comedy, irony of fate, this film was created on the 30th anniversary of the original, which involves a magical night between two strangers, a. This original classic 1975 russian film the irony of fate needs to be sharply distinguished from the 2007 sequel by the same name, which is not worthy to be compared with this original classic. Clearly, the appartment buildings that marched all over the soviet union and were eventually shown dominating the world were symbolizing that one day the soviet. Ten of the greatest russian films of all time films fatale. Russian film hub your home for russian and soviet cinema. Sergey bezrukov and elizaveta boyarskaya in the irony of fate 2 2007. This romantic comedy became one of the most popular films in the former soviet union and a staple of tv broadcasts on new years eve. Unesco cannot include in the list of the intangible cultural heritage of mankind such russian new year customs as cooking and eating olivier salad and watching the film the irony of fate, because the russian federation refused to approve and ratify the corresponding international convention on such a heritage. The continuation, were announced on the 39 th anniversary of the release of eldar riazanovs 1975 classic film, irony of fate, or enjoy your bath, one of the favorite new year holiday films from the former ussr and russia.
Russian most popular new year movie the irony of fate. Its what makes russian learners usually give up on learning the. Mtv movie award for best film, best actor, and best comedic performance. Dec 31, 2010 the irony of fate, or enjoy your bath. It is the remake of the 1976 russian film the irony of fate. Instead of casting a soviet actress for the role of nadya, directorcowriter eldar ryazanov. Chrismas story this film is traditionally watched at christmas in the family of our american friend, who suits me as a mom. Mikael tariverdiev the irony of fateoriginal score. The irony of fate 1975 original soundtrack light in. Innokentiy smoktunovskiy, oleg efremov, lyubov dobrzhanskaya. The movie is one of the most successful soviet film. A sequel, the irony of fate 2, came out in russia in december 2007.
Here were going to explore the uses of the russian cases through dialogues of the irony of fate. Since then it became an integral part of the new years ritual, akin to the wizard of oz 1939 and its a wonderful life 1946 in western countries in the soviet union the new year was the big party, since. Loosely based on a play called once on new years eve, ryazanov s the irony of fate is a soviet romantic television film. The story follows a meek sort of guy, zhenya andrey myagkov who plans to propose to his longtime girlfriend at the strike of midnight. And even through the stagnation of the 1970s, russian film attendance ranked among the highest in the world, with audiences flocking to see classics like the irony of fate 1976, and the academy awardwinning moscow doesnt believe in tears 1980. One of the main characters, shurik, is an actor in several more movies, which are also great to watch. Dec 31, 20 in russia, a sovietera movie to ring in the new year. I love new year was filmed in 2011 and was supposed to release in 20, but ended up releasing 10 july 2015.
Best russian movies for language learners thoughtco. The irony of fate, or enjoy your bath is a 1976 soviet romantic comedy television film directed by eldar ryazanov. In 2007 a sequel, the irony of fate 2 or the irony of fate. The english subtitles are excellent, without the typographical and machinetranslation errors seen in more recent russian films. The original irony of fate is a 1975 russian film which is considered a sovietera cultural treasure. The movie is one of the most successful soviet film productions ever. Do you know what movie every russian watches at least once a year.
The screenplay was written by emil braginsky and ryazanov, loosely based on the directors 1971 play, once on new years eve. The cases are the most difficult part of the russian grammar. Jan 06, 2009 russian film tuesday, january 6, 2009. The cartoon at the beginning of this film was interesting. Clearly, the appartment buildings that marched all over the soviet union and were eventually shown dominating the world were symbolizing that one day the soviet union would envelope the entire world in communism. Notes for russian learners another great movie for those who want to learn more about russian history. The irony of fate, or enjoy your bath 1 episode comedy.
The stars of this movie are zhenya and galyas son and nadia and ippolits daughter. It is adored by generations of russians with the same kind of affection americans have for its a wonderful life, and centers around the sentiments of the same winter holidays as that beloved american classic. With liya akhedzhakova, aleksandr belyavskiy, barbara brylska, georgiy burkov. Lucy rubenstein takes a critical look at the irony of fate which is the cultural phenomenon that keeps russians and other former soviet citizens tuning in year after year.
We like the second part because the film shows the american christmas bustle at the airport of the us capital. Finally, if you dont speak russian, check this film on dvdntsc. The irony of fate with andrey myagkov and barbara brylska. An incredible story about a man who misplaced the cities and found his love during the one special night new years celebration. However, if a goodnatured, gives you the warm fuzzies type of romantic comedy sounds like fun, irony of fate is just the remedy.
Russian film hub is an extensive library of free russian and soviet movies with english subtitles. The first part is quite funny and engaging while the second one drags quite a bit. Watch the film irony of fate the protagonist, zhenya, is played by andrei myagkov, one of ryazanovs favorite actors, no doubt for his brilliant interpretation of an ordinary, shy. After watching part two of the movie, i cant say i was surprised. The irony of fate is more than just setpieces culled from a film russians revisit every new years eve. It is interesting to compare it with the new years fuss in the capital of the ussr, shown in the irony of fate. I recently made a course on how to learn the russian cases through only one film, the most famous russian film the irony of fate. It is also an object of unbridled adoration of all. Jan 20, 2019 a sequel the irony of fate 2 was released in 2007. Zhenya went back to moscow after ippolit drunkenly sputtered that a relationship between nadya and zhenya would be impulsive and idealistic. Directed by veteran eldar ryazanov office romance, a cruel romance, the 1976 romantic comedydrama the irony of fate is one of the most successful sovietrussian televisionfilm productions ever, still getting aired on russian tv every holiday season. Prodolzheniye is a 2007 russian romantic comedy film directed by timur bekmambetov based on a screenplay by aleksey slapovsky produced by channel one and released by mosfilm.
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