Timur Bekmambetov, whose filmography includes 12 director's works, has long become widely known not only in Russia, but also in Hollywood. How did a native of Kazakhstan manage to make such a successful career in cinema and what films can he rightfully be proud of?
Timur Bekmambetov: films. "The night Watch"
Bekmambetov was born in Kazakhstan in 1961. He is a power engineer by his first education, and the second specialty of the director is “theater and film artist”. As you can see, Timur Bekmambetov does not have a higher director's education, which does not prevent him from making box office films.
When Bekmambetov moved to Moscow, at first he was engaged in shooting commercials. In 1987, he debuted as a director with the film "Peshawar Waltz." Then he makes several more films that went unnoticed.
In 2004, Bekmambetov made a breakthrough by removing the fantastic action movie Night Watch. The picture was translated into many languages of the world and shown not only in Russia and the USA, but also in many countries of Europe and even in Japan.
At a cost of $ 4 million, the picture has raised almost $ 34 million worldwide. Such famous Russian actors as Konstantin Khabensky, Vladimir Menshov, Valery Zolotukhin, Maria Poroshina and many others starred in the film. Despite the flurry of criticism that struck Bekmambetov’s picture, it was included in the top 100 best foreign films according to Empire magazine.
"Day Watch"
Timur Bekmambetov, having earned his name on the Night Watch, releases the Day Watch as a continuation of the first part exactly one year later.
The cast in the second part of the "Watch" has not changed. Budget pictures too. Box office worldwide totaled approximately $ 38 million. In addition, the creators of Day Watch earned about $ 3 million on hidden advertising .
The premiere took place in all major countries of Europe, as well as in the USA and even in Latin America. The picture was not included in the list of "best foreign films" in the West, but it was precisely the commercial success of The Day Watch that paved the way to Hollywood for Timur Bekmambetov.
"Extremely dangerous"
Director Timur Bekmambetov made his Hollywood debut with the action movie "Especially Dangerous." The film was played by such famous actors as Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman and Thomas Kretschman. The script for the film was written by Chris Morgan, who worked on the films “Fast and the Furious 4, 5, 6, 7”, “47 Ronin” and “Monster Hunters”. The plot is based on the comic books of Mark Millar.
According to the plot, the hero of McAvoy lives the gray and dull life of a loser. The young man does not even suspect that behind the bouts of panic attacks that he experiences from time to time, there is a force hidden in him that tears out. Only by chance, Wesley Gibson gets into a secret organization in which he helps to reveal his potential and abilities. However, Gibson does not even realize that he is just a pawn in someone else's game.
The shooting took place in Chicago and in Prague. With a budget of $ 75 million laid down in production, the film grossed 341 million at the worldwide box office. It was a success that helped the director strengthen his ties with Hollywood.
Ben Gur
“Ben Hur” will be released only in 2016, but is already considered one of the most anticipated premieres of next year. This time Timur Bekmambetov turned to the peplum genre, in which antique or biblical subjects are widely used.
The script for the film was written by John Ridley, who worked on the script for the film "12 Years of Slavery." The operator on the set will work
Oliver Wood, who shot the Bourne Ultimatum and Fantastic Four (2005).
The plot of the picture will revolve around a descendant of a noble Jewish family - Ben Hur, whom a friend betrayed. As a result, Ben spent several years in slavery and in the end decided to find his offender at all costs and take revenge on him.
Timur Bekmambetov did not invite a single Russian actor to the project. The main role went to Jack Houston, who had previously appeared in such films as The American Scam and Twilight. Saga. Eclipse". Also, the viewer will be able to see in the project of Toby Kebbell, who is known for his roles in "Prince of Persia", "Apprentice of the Sorcerer" and "Fantastic Four" (2015). This time it will not do without Morgan Freeman, who already collaborated with Bekmambetov in the film "Especially Dangerous."
The premiere of the film is expected in February 2016.