“Irony of Fate. The Sequel” premieres; Jazz from New Yorker Valeriy Ponomaryov
As a special gift to local moviegoers for the winter holidays, filmmakers decided to destroy the main Soviet New Year’s fairy tale, by shooting a sequel to it.
Eldar Ryazanov’s modestly budgeted film, “Ironiya Sudby, ili S Lyogkim Parom” (“The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath”), made-for-TV romantic comedy made in 1975, became one of the most popular films in the former Soviet Union and the movie symbol of the New Year. Up to now the film has been shown on Ukrainian TV every Dec. 31, and though by now everyone knows it almost by heart, it’s still watched every time. So it doesn’t seem so suprising after all that someone came up with the idea to exploit the national-wide love for the film by making a sequel.
The second “Irony of Fate,” simply named “Irony of Fate. The Sequel,” was directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the author of the Russian sci-fi hits “Nochnoy Dozor” (“Night Watch”) and “Dnevnoy Dozor” (“Day Watch”). Though the films weren’t as warmly received in the West as in post Soviet countries, Hollywood producers took an interest in Bekmambetov and currently he’s working on on the film “Wanted,” starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman, based on a comic series by Mark Millar.
The new “Irony” takes place 30 years later and features most of the actors that appeared in the original – Andriy Myagkov, Barbara Brylska, Yuriy Yakovlev and Aleksander Shyrvint, including Eldar Ryazanov’s cameo on the plane. The New Year’s adventures, which start with the main hero going to a bathhouse and then flying from Moscow to St Petersburg completely drunk, repeat all over again. As it turns out, our favorite New Year couple Nadya and Zhenya, didn’t get married as seemed obvious from the original movie, but broke up, and each returned to their exes, so this time an accidental romance takes place between the children of the main characters – Nadya’s daughter (the role was offered to Mila Jovovich, but she maintained a discreet silence) and Zhenya’s son.
Judging by the trailer, “Irony of Fate. The Sequel” appears to be action-packed compared to the slow and meditative original. Besides, the coincidences taking place seem way too far-fetched to be believable, but as they say – anything can happen on the New Year’s Eve.
From Dec. 21.
Various cinemas. See Movies for more information
Legendary trumpeter from New York Valeriy Ponomaryov will perform in the framework of the International Jazz Seasons this Friday. The first major Russian jazz musician to make a breakthrough in the United States, Valeriy Ponomaryov has always been known for his swinging style and a strong interest in keeping the hard bop legacy of Clifford Brown alive. He became interested in jazz after hearing it on “The Voice of America” radio program and felt a particular affinity for Clifford Brown. He frequently performed in the Soviet Union, recording at the Melodiya label and appearing at jazz festivals until fleeing the Soviet Union in 1973. Four years later he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers group. Known for his original trumpet style, Valeriy Ponomaryov is the only Russian-born musician to have played in Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and recorded nine albums with them, before embarking on his own successful career and forming his own band Universal Language.
The upcoming performance of Valeriy Ponomaryov and his Jazz Big Band will be dedicated to the legacy of Art Blakey. Arthur ‘Art’ Blakey was one of the inventors of the modern bebop style of drumming. For over 30 years his band the Jazz Messengers included many young musicians who went on to become prominent names in jazz. Thus the band’s legacy is not only the exceptional music it produced, but also the several generations of jazz musicians it trained.
National Music Academy (1-3/11 Horodetskoho, 279-1242). Dec. 23, 7 p.m. Tickets from Hr 60 to Hr 80.
