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.

5 on Friday - Set 5

For my fifth set, I've collected several songs featured in films by one of my favorite directors - Timur Bekmambetov of Kazakhstan, formerly one of the Soviet republics.



If you've seen the Angelina Jolie - James McAvoy action film Wanted, then you've seen a Bekmambetov film.

"Timur Bekmambetov established himself as a master of dense narrative. His films often surprise the viewers with eerie details, hectic pace and unusual twists and turns, and remain a challenge even for experienced audiences." - Steve Shelokhonov

Bekmambetov somehow managed not only to become a filmmaker who pushes the envelope by any country's standard, but he emerged onto the film scene at a time when the collapse of the Soviet Union meant there was no longer a distribution infrastructure for Russian films (a new one is still rising from the ashes.) He comes from the first generation of artists out of Russia who can choose to work in Hollywood without having to defect in order to do so.

"We understood from the very beginning," he says, "that Russia needs big, ambitious and brave film-making. Before us, there was only art-house - great, talented movies for European festivals - and very bad, very cheap and creatively weak commercial movies."

For today's 5 on Friday, here are songs which capture the Bekmambetov soundtrack style: kick-ass rock, often showcasing Russian rock bands. For the sequel to a beloved Russian New Year's film, he put a new twist on the cherished memory of the original.

To play along, visit Travis at Trav's Thoughts.


1 - Every Day is Exactly the Same - Nine Inch Nails - Wanted soundtrack, 2008

I believe I can see the future
'Cause I repeat the same routine
I think I used to have a purpose
Then again
That might have been a dream

- Trent Reznor




2 - Shatter - Feeder - Night Watch soundtrack, 2006

Coming around my senses torn
It's no illusion
It's here everyday
I bleed
As long as you see it
As long as you know
As long as you fake it
Nobody knows

Break down again
I'm suffering
My head's out of sync
And I can't hide the pain

- Feeder




3 - Voronka - Slot - Night Watch soundtrack, 2006

No matter how determined I was, I couldn't find any translated lyrics for this one.




4 - Another Snowstorm (Opiat metel) - Alla Pugacheva and Kristina Orbakaite - Irony of Fate 2 soundtrack, 2007

This real-life mother and daughter duo gives voice to the complicated love lives of the mother and daughter characters in the film.

Translated lyrics:

Not closing the door behind you
I live for another year
And since then
The countdown of my unwitting losses
Has resurrected
Is waiting for someone

Again a snowstorm
And the past
Is getting anxious in the dark
Again a snowstorm
Where two eternities merge into one short day

Forgive me
Without knowing it

Don't suffer, standing there by a doorway
Our resurrected love
Will last for a lifetime

- Konstantin Meladze




5 - If You Don't Have an Aunt (Yesli u vas netu tyoti) - Konstantin Khabensky - Irony of Fate 2, 2007

Translated lyrics:

If you don't have a house
It cannot be destroyed by a fire
And your wife will not leave you for another
If you don't, if you don't, if you don't have a wife
If you don't have a wife

If you don't have a dog
It won't be poisoned by a neighbour
You will never get into a fight with your friend
If you don't, if you don't, if you don't have a friend
If you don't have a friend

The orchestra is playing bass
The trumpet player is blowing his brass
Think for yourself, decide for yourself: to have, or not to have

If you don't have an aunt
You won't lose her
And if you don't live
You won't die, you won't die

The orchestra is playing bass
The trumpet player is blowing his brass
Think for yourself, decide for yourself: to have, or not to have

- Alexander Aronov



Jamie says Since these were movies that I haven't seen it was nice to hear the music as it supported the films.

Travis says I like the way you play! I get to hear the music and see the video.

Jennifer Leeland says I LOVED "Wanted". Even though it didn't really have a happy ending. I still loved it.