Fantastic Russian paintings are a rare occurrence. Rolled out tapes can be counted on fingers. Cinema is responsible for the implementation of such projects, since they require a good script and appropriate financial support. The Dark World was not just a film balancing on the brink of fantasy. First of all, it was created about youth and for youth. The success of the picture is confirmed by the release of the tape “Dark World: Balance”, which is a kind of continuation of its predecessor.
Dark idea
Screenwriter Alexei Sidorov, who created the "Brigade" and "Shadow Boxing," together with his colleague Alexander Dorbinyan, decided to encroach on fiction - a genre mostly new and not fully understood. In this case, the plot turned out to be quite simple to understand. A company of students, including “good” and “bad”, leaves for an expedition. Deaf village open spaces do not promise anything interesting. However, in one of these villages there is an old burial ground with a magic shield. Marina, carried away by mysticism, to her misfortune revives the dark forces, and she gains superpowers. From now on, the whole group will meet with representatives of an unknown other world.
The concept of the plot is to maintain a global balance between the good and the dark. And this happens “thanks” to young students who do not foresee such a finale.
Center Partnership has agreed to stage the film. In 2009, large preparatory work began: the construction of scenery, the search for natural places and, of course, casting. A particularly important niche was occupied by roles and actors. The Dark World was supposed to have a well-written script structure and, therefore, could not lose due to poorly recreated characters.
Tape production
Filming took several months. Most were filmed in Karelia, against the backdrop of incredible natural beauty, which is also important in the plot. Pavlovsky Posad also became a place of full-scale production, and the rest was finished in the Moscow pavilions. Numerous complex scenes from the technical side required professionalism. So, the first-class master Dmitry Tarasenkov became the director of the tricks. Costumers also worked: the plot required outfits and the very appearance of the peoples of one of the tribes that really live in Karelia. When the shooting was in full swing, it became clear to everyone (primarily to the director Anton Megerdichev) how harmoniously connected the two important components - roles and actors. The Dark World, which became a mystical thriller, showed much more: love and friendship, philosophical overtones, good and evil in an unusual and such simple combination. Indeed, combining such things turned out to be the main task for the creators.
Roles and actors. “Dark World” - career leap
The film did not differ in the versatility of the characters. By and large, they were all the same type of students, not much different from each other. According to the script, the uncertain Kostya and brave Marina, windy Vika and the more neutral Arthur and Valya, as well as a demon, a witch and an old woman-keeper of ancient rites and traditions are represented here.
There was no confrontation between the heroes, they were all separately comprehended, and soon they were scattered along the plot on different sides.
Young and already proven actors were approved for the roles: Svetlana Ivanova, Ivan Zhidkov, Elena Panova, Ilya Alekseev, Maria Kozhevnikova. The role of the main antagonist was made by Sergey Ugryumov.
Light perception
The film was spoken of as the first film adaptation of the new Russian fantasy, and it is worth noting that the debut turned out to be successful. In the film, history and ancient legends are subtly intertwined, talking about the very existence of worlds unknown to man, a solid share of folklore that adorned the musical side, good “trash” and the initial message. The roles and actors were remembered. The “Dark World” instantly rivets to the screen, captures, amazes with interest, completely depriving the desire to seek out any inaccuracies. Some critics spoke about the inept use of the latest technology, while others noted a decent game by many actors. In any case, the main audience was satisfied with the film.
New story
When success was obvious, and the studio reaped the fruits of its work, the idea was expressed to remove the logical sequel. Initially, this was supposed to be the backstory of the first part. Marina and Sergey Dyachenko prepared the script. And if the prescribed roles and actors of “The Dark World” showed so that it was no longer perceived differently, in the continuation of this, more work had to be done.
It was planned that there would be no old characters. The story turned out to be completely new, but directly related to its predecessor. Student Dasha, who received a magical amulet as a gift, gains the ability to see Shadows and vampires who steal human energy. The girl settles in a magical organization engaged in cleaning the world from such representatives. Dasha saves several lives and successfully uses her new abilities, and in the end she finds love.
But during the initial stage, director Oleg Asadulin suggested making adjustments and making a new part - “The Dark World: Balance”. The actors and roles now required have been rewritten. As a result, the universe and some scenes remain common in the paintings. The picture was released on December 5, 2013. The main roles were given to Maria Pirogova and Pavel Priluchny.
This is not the end!
Along with the feature film, the future series was also filmed at the same time. He was left the same name - “The Dark World: Balance”. Actors and roles, to the general delight of the fans, did not replace. The series allowed to show much more than was invested in the film. In each of the 12 episodes, there was a separate story related to a new victim and a new Shadow that pumps out energy using its own method. The series was launched in May 2014 on the STS channel.