9/10/15

HARDCORE: Producer Timur Bekmambetov A Stalwart Force Of Russian Filmmaking


Timur Bekmambetov was one of the millions of people who saw the video Bad Motherfucker by Biting Elbows. He loved the video so much that he contacted IIya Naishuller about taking the first person concept in propelling it into a feature length movie. That conversation lead to Hardcore.  Timur brings a considerable amount of talent and experience as his role as a producer of IIya's first film.


Timur began directing commercials in 1989. His first feature film Pershavarski vals about the Soviet war was released in 1994. By 1997 he was named Best Young Director by the Russian Film Academy. In 1999 Timur started his own production company Bazelevs Production. However it the was the film Night Watch that would be a Russian blockbuster and ultimately reach Western audiences.


Timur returned to the stories of Sergey Lukyanenko and made Day Watch. This film was even more successful and became the highest grossing film ever in Russia.


The amazing success of Day Watch lead Timur to his first Hollywood production. The film Wanted starred Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman and was based on the comic book series created by Mark Millar (Kick Ass) and J.G. Jones.  The resulting film was a lot fun.


Who would have guessed that it would be a Russian filmmaker with a very unique cinematic take on the ultimate of American icons the 16th President of the United States. The film was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.


At this stage of his filmmaking career it is quite clear that a Timur Bekmambetov film will take you into a world you have never seen. Creations of fantasy, action featuring immense artistry and imagination. Films that will thrill and excite you and sometimes downright creep you out.


As well as the films that I profiled here Timur has been a very active producer and mentor to other filmmakers. It comes as no surprise Timur would bring his talent and filmmaking knowledge and aid IIya's Naishuller's vision of Hardcore.

HARDCORE screens:
Sat, Sept 12, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Mon, Sept 14, 4:15 PM SCOTIABANK
Fri, Sept 18, 1:00 PM SCOTIABANK

No comments:

Post a Comment