9 Rota cost $9 million to make and grossed $22 million in Russia
Yesterday RIA Novosti reported that 9 Rota (9th Company) has been selected by Russia's national film committee as their entry in the category of Best Foreign Film for the 2006 U.S. Academy Awards. For 9 Rota director Fyodor Bondarchuk, this adds national prestige and international critical acclaim to the film's impressive box office and DVD success.
Russia Blog first wrote about "The Ninth Company" shortly before its release in late 2005, and now Wikipedia has added an entry on the film with background on the true story of the 345th Guards Airborne Regiment's service in Afghanistan and the Battle for Hill 3234.
You can read Russia Blog's March 2006 film review here (WARNING: Plot Spoilers). You can order a non-regionally coded DVD with English subtitles that will supposedly work in any DVD player from Amazon, though the film is not yet available for rent from Netflix.
Click on the extended post to watch the trailer and see photos from the movie production, shot on location in the Crimea, and the movie premier.
Fyodor Bondarchuk on the set of his film
Bondarchuk, actor Alexei Chadov, and President Putin at the film's November 2005 premier. Bondarchuk was the first director to be invited to screen his film at the Russian President's residence.
Dygalo (Mikhail Porechenkov), the tormented drill sergeant
The 9th Company takes a breather while training in Uzbekistan
9th Company commander Hohol (Bondarchuk) after being ambushed in an Afghan village
Russian spelling of the movie title and credits:
9 Рота
Режиссер: Федор Бондарчук
Артур Смольянинов /Лютый/
Алексей Чадов /Воробей/
Иван Кокорин /Чугун/
Константин Крюков /Джоконда/
Михаил Евланов /Ряба/
Артем Михалков /Стас/
Сослан Фидаров /Пиночет/
Ирина Рахманова /Белоснежка/
Михаил Пореченков /Дыгало/
Watch the movie trailer here:
Watch the Russian rock group Tokio's music video from the movie, "Who Am I Without You?" (Kto Ya Bez Tibiya) here:
ToKiO: "Кто я без тебя"
Lyrics:
Я иду навстречу солнцу,
Я дышу порывом ветра,
В голове одни вопросы
И не одного ответа.
Наконец все изменилось,
Разделилось — до и после.
Я ловлю себя на мысли:
Кто я без Тебя?
Глоток дождя попал мне в горло
Я захлебываюсь счастьем
Я живу, я плачу снова
Я как роза на песке, в своей тоске,
Я раскрываюсь, я вишу на волоске,
Я потеряюсь без тебя!
Впереди темно и страшно, я сильней свой тревоги.
Я могу, я выну сердце, чтобы осветить дороги.
Я последний или первый?
Я герой или убийца?
Что скрывают мои лица?
Кто я без Тебя?
Comments
I think this is a good choice. It's certainly one of the best Russian films I've seen, and it would do reasonably well on general release here in the UK.
Posted by: estavisti | September 27, 2006 5:03 PM
As was noted in the ADVANCED (emailed on 9/26) Sept. 27-28 edition of Quick Takes, which is archived/linked at:
http://talk.guardian.co.uk/WebX?14@930.hkYDllexMPT.2@.77480649/5151 (scroll down a bit to find this particular cinema piece)
To get on the QT list, send request to:
afweb1@yahoo.com
Posted by: Michael Averko | September 28, 2006 2:57 AM
I thought the movie was pretty good. It did have a few too many scenes that seemed to be a little to much like some of those in the movie Full Metal Jacket.
Great visuals and great cinematography. Also had a great display of Russian hardware in use, which one normally doesn't get to see in US flicks. All in all, a good war movie.
Posted by: Jason Herr | September 28, 2006 10:31 AM
I noticed what you might call a couple of "homages" to Platoon, but I rather liked the film
Posted by: Blair | September 29, 2006 2:24 AM
I don't see this film getting a prize. really. It's too much like almost any American blockbuster with some Russian sauce and no Schwartzenegger. maybe it's just me, but some original films like Piter FM and Day Watch or even Svolochi(depending on what the criteria is) could be a better pick. But nevertheless, good, luck 9th company!
Posted by: Phil | October 1, 2006 5:18 AM
Great movie, Fyodor Bondarchuk is the real follower of his father, very talented, great performance, good music match.
The scene with the little boy, killing the soldier while in a village - very realistic.
Movie makes me proud of Russian soldiers and the russian spirit of the very young guys, practically children ( who also fell victims in this ferocious war that nobody needed and no one of them understood why Breznev sent them there and which “international duty” they were performing in Afganistan);
Posted by: Emma | May 21, 2007 10:13 AM
Hi Jim. Photos i received. Thanks
Posted by: Bill Compton | June 4, 2007 12:27 PM
I am looking for an english translation of the song "kto ya bez tibiya" Can someone please help me out : ) thanks!
Posted by: Grace | February 24, 2008 10:37 PM