Thursday Thirteen - 191 - 13 Ways to Admire Konstantin Khabensky

1 - In the new world of post-glasnost Russia, Konstantin Khabensky is among the first generation of actors able to work in both Russian and Hollywood cinema without having to sever all ties with his homeland as other artists before him had to do.

















2 - Konstantin Khabensky - currently shooting Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, directed by Swedish director Tomas Alfredsson, and featuring last week's Eye Candy Tom Hardy, Colin Firth, Ciaran Hinds, Mark Strong and Gary Oldman as George Smiley.

5' 8"

Eyes - Brown

Hair - Brown

Type - Fit / Late-30's

He works as an actor

Works in television / Film / Stage



















3 - Konstantin grew up in Leningrad, the son of Yuri, a hydrology engineer, and his mother Tatiana, also a hydrologist.

Initially studied at the Leningrad Technical School of Aviation Electronics and Automatics before leaving the program in his third year

Eased into acting by first working as a stage technician at a theatre

Attended the Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) State Theater Arts Academy to study under Veniamin Filshtinsky, one of the master actors of Russia











4 - His extensive theatrical training helped him accomplish a remarkable feat during a film shoot for In Motion. Here is what several IMDB user reviews have to say about the scene:

"I must also mention a scene toward the end of this film involving the main character, a train, and a woman on a horse, that is not only a brilliant piece of visual storytelling, but a metaphor for the character's predicament, as well as a signature shot for the entire film. I was totally blown away by the shot, and believe me, jaded as I am after so many years of movie watching, that isn't easy to do. But it's the hope of seeing such scenes that keeps me watching films." - jbrotychoorion from California

"And the final scene on the train with Anya and Guriev is excellent - Guriev sees Anya on the train stop and recognize her. Train moving and he is asking her: Guriev - Stop. Where you are going? (She remain seating on a horse) Anya - It is not me, it's you. Guriev running to the exit, she still remain seating on a horse, camera shoots thru windows showing us beauty of Russian autumn, life and this generation, young generation which is seeking for answers and rest but will never find it because changes in the country changed this generation and did not leave choices. That's why this generation of young Russians live right now across the world, and in Russia itself, after centuries of Russian history this generation actually for the first time free, and this difficult burden of freedom and chances to create a new life and reality makes us and main character Guriev be always 'In movement'." - Denis Bordovskikh from the US

"Particularly the ending of the film is cinematic genius. Not only does it sum up the entire film in a few minutes and truly shows what the character's life consists of, but leaves a sour aftertaste and is a metaphor for modern living. Could be one of the best of the new wave of Russian films that are coming out." - kyrilone from Ireland






























5 - Konstantin lost his young wife to a brain tumor, only months after she gave birth to their son. Anastasia was a journalist who was diagnosed with her fatal tumor while expecting their child. She refused treatment in order to ensure the safety of their baby. He has been a widower since 2008.



















6 - Konstantin appears often as military leaders, including this role in White Guard, a classic play by Mikhail A. Bulgakov.










7 - In 2008 he played Admiral Kolchak, a naval commander who became head of the White supporters during the Russian Revolution. Once again it strikes me how much the world has changed, when a major Russian film can be made which is sympathetic to the anti-Communist forces. And I love that Konstantin is so often involved in these kinds of projects.











8 - The role where I first discovered him is in the urban fantasy series Night Watch (Nochnoy dozor) and Day Watch (Dnevnoy dozor). Playing Light Other Anton Gorodetsky, he patrols the paranormal dimension that regular humans can't see, ensuring that the Dark Others stay true to their treaties and boundaries.



















9 - And Konstantin is an awesome crier.

In this scene from The Goddess, Konstantin plays the inconsolable father of a girl who has been missing for over a year. Unfortunately, there are no subtitles.













10 - If not for Night Watch and Day Watch, I would never have stumbled upon footage of Konstantin in what looked like a Christmas movie. It turned out to be the sequel to a revered New Year's movie which Russians watch religiously every year. I settled in to watch both the original and the sequel, and discovered a set of magical films that have now stolen my own heart forevermore.

In the clip below, he appears at the beginning, then again at the 4:20 mark, then again at 12:40. To read the English subtitles, just click on the enlarge button in the bottom righthand corner.






















11 - He has collaborated several times with director Timur Bekmambetov, including the Hollywood action flick Wanted, starring Angelina Jolie and James McAvoy.


















12 - He's collected numerous awards for his craft over the years, including the Golden Eagle for cinematic work and the Honored Artist of Russia.












13 - My 5 on Friday for New Year's Eve will feature music from the two Russian New Year's films, where Konstantin is featured in the sequel.

Tagged - I'm It! - 20

Thomma Lyn tagged me for this 7 Things Meme. The rules:

Tell seven random and/or interesting things about myself. Get five blog buddies to play, too and link to their blogs. Don't forget to post the rules.

Well, that was painless. Let's go -



1 - Night Watch and Day Watch

As you may know, my current obsession revolves around two amazing Russian urban paranormal films, based on a series of books by Sergei Lukyanenko. I've recently finished the first book and I'm in the middle of the second book right now.










I just love this shot from Night Watch. Anton, played by Konstantin Khabensky, is trying to see through the dimensions to ward off an attack by a vampire.




The sequel, Day Watch picks up where Night Watch leaves off. Basically, it's a modern fable about the forces of Light and Dark, filtered through a post-Soviet Russia. There's lots of Cold War references, where each side closely watches the other to ensure their Truce is observed.

Pictured on the poster here is Alisa, a witch and a Day Watch agent who keeps tabs on the Light. Anton and Svetlana are magicians and Night Watch agents who keep tabs on the Dark. They also have a romantic relationship.





In this shot from Day Watch, Svetlana has pushed her way into a deeper level of the Gloom, and Anton cannot follow. She's chasing a young Dark One. This sequence is really amazing. In reading the books, the challenge of shooting the scenes that take place in the Gloom would seem daunting, but director Timur Bekmambetov found a fabulous way to do it.



2 - Animal Totems - Polar bear and Panther

An animal totem is a spiritual guide who gets our attention by being something we are drawn to throughout our lifetime. Is there an animal with whom you've always felt a deep kinship? Do you run into images of this animal over and over again? Do you collect images of an animal? Conversely, is there an animal of whom you are terrified? Or have you been bitten by an animal? Sometimes the totem seeks a sharp means of connecting.

My husband Brad's animal totem is the polar bear. He's a lifelong fan of Coca Cola, and its polar bear mascot just intensified this connection. He has a small collection of Coke bears, and whenever I see a photo of a polar bear, I immediately think of Brad, through size, body language and its remoteness out on the tundra.

"The white color associated with the polar bear is very significant. It represents 'purity of spirit'. Polar Bear serves as a valuable ally in overcoming fear, both physical and mental. Known as the 'Ice Man' in some tribes because of its preference for hunting on sea ice, Polar Bear's environment is symbolic. It points to the frozen emotions stored within oneself and the need for allowing those emotions to express themselves. Those with this medicine have karmic challenges associated with flexibility, change and stubbornness.

They know how to conserve their strength as well as their energy and use both at the most appropriate time for the best outcome. Polar bears weigh up to 1600 pounds and can knock a 500 pound seal out of the water with one blow. They are the most aggressive and carnivorous of all bears. Polar bears have no enemies in the animal kingdom. Their only enemy is the human hunter." - sayahda.com


I've always been attracted to the black panther. Significantly, I've been allergic to cats all my life, no matter that I've taken two sets of allergy shots with 'cat' included in the serum. I'm better than I used to be with them, but there's no pet cats in my future I'm afraid. That tells me how strong the cat totem is for me. I have several panther prints and statues, including a little one by my bed.

"The Black Panther has perhaps the greatest mysticism associated with it. Panther is of a lunar significance and often signals a time of rebirth after a time of suffering. This implies that an old issue may finally begin to be resolved. As a totem, it awakens the inner passions, signaling not just a time of coming into one's own power, but reclaiming one's true power. The Black Panther always brings a guardian energy to those to whom it comes.

This often means facing aspects of the self or of life that have been painted over, or covered up to be forgotten. A powerful and ancient totem, it is the symbol of the Goddess, ferocity and valor. Panthers are solitary creatures and develop an inner knowing. They can be absolutely silent when stalking their prey: with a Panther totem, you will find your greatest power in silence and stealth, as you pursue your goals and aspirations." - fortunecity.com





3 - The best thing about Canada's East Coast Navy

I live in Halifax, which among other things is a naval port. Growing up, we also had an airforce base here, and many of my friends' fathers were in the military. The airforce base is unfortunately an aviation museum these days, but the navy chugs along.

Which brings me to my next door neighbor, Mack, a sailor aboard HMCS Preserver.


This is a photo of the Preserver in action, refueling the USS Ingraham during Operation Apollo on the Arabian Sea several years ago. Mack was at sea for this operation.

Photo - Replenishment at sea by MCpl Brian Walsh


When he's not at sea, Mack moseys around on his roof putting up Christmas lights (that's him behind me, two Christmases ago.) Mack is the World's Best Next Door Neighbor. He shovels our shared driveway before I can get out of my pyjamas. Mack and his wife Freida, that is - technically it's a tie for the World's Best Next Door Neighbor.

My mom and I can't do enough for them, and they are always there for us. The best thing about the navy is having a sailor for a next door neighbor. 'Ready, Aye, Ready'


4 - My east coast family and my Toronto family

My world is all about family. I've only taken one trip that didn't take me back and forth to family and friends.

This is my Nova Scotia clan at a family dinner in February. Back row: Newt, my sister Michelle, Mom, Brad, me, my cousin Julianne, Heather and Emily
Front row: Uncle Charlie, my cousin Charlie, Sarah, Auntie Noel, Laura, Stephen holding Molly


This is my other east coast clan. Clockwise from Baby Ava, Matt, Natasha, my step mom Doris, Michelle and Newt.





And then we have my Toronto family who I miss SO much: clockwise from my mother-in-law Joan, Brad, our nieces Emily and Christi, Jeremy, Violetta and my brother-in-law Jeff (whom I featured as a guest poet on the Poetry Train) holding Christi & Jeremy's Baby Brianna.


These guys technically live in Ottawa but I usually see them in Toronto: clockwise from Baby Brianna, our godson and nephew Francis, nephew Peter, my brother-in-law Ken and Anna, whom I featured in my cyber gallery.)



And this is my sister-in-law Karen with Jeff's daughter Emily.








5 - The Aunt Sheila rose

My Aunt Sheila always loved yellow roses. When she passed away five years ago (wow, that seems crazy) we wanted to plant a yellow rose bush in our yard, in her memory. This is how it looked last summer.


This is the last time we were all together. She and Uncle Frank lived in Virginia, and they came up for a month-long visit when Brad and I lived with Gram in her Yarmouth house. Here in this picture we've got Gram, Brad, Mom seated and Aunt Sheila in red. Uncle Frank was there, just not in this picture. We celebrated the four November birthdays and Christmas early (it was September.) We laughed a lot!


6 - Toronto Romance Writers meeting, October 2007

When Brad and I flew to Toronto for his parents' 50th wedding anniversary, another big highlight for me was attending the TRW meeting. I got to see blog buddies in 3D. Here is Amy Ruttan, Leah Braemel and me.


Eve Silver gave the talk, and here is Amy, Eve, Wylie Kinson and me. Meeting you was so wonderful! ((hugs))


Next time I go there, I'll be able to see my long lost Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada buddy Christine d'Abo, shown here at right at last year's writers' retreat. That's Renee Field beside her.


7 - Jo Beverley

A few years ago, I couldn't believe my own fabulous fortune when our RWA chapter hosted historical romance author Jo Beverley for an all-day workshop. I'm a total Jo Beverley fan girl. She's my favorite, favorite, favorite.


Enjoying the workshop is Deborah Hale, my cousin Julianne MacLean and Lilly Cain.


Across the room we have Mary Louise, me, Kelly Boyce and Cathryn Fox.






And now - a-tagging I will go, a-tagging I will go...

Ann
and Anne
Flowerpot
Samantha Lucas
Susan