“Every year on December 31, my friends and I go to the bathhouse,” said the hero of the famous comedy Eldara Ryazanova Evgeny Lukashin. Over the past ten years, Russian television viewers have developed an equally strong tradition: on December 31, they watch the country’s main New Year’s comedy on Channel One. Since 2007, Channel One has invariably shown the story of the adventures of Zhenya Lukashin and Nadya Sheveleva on the New Year's broadcast.
Zhenya and Nadya change their New Year's "registration"
This time, however, viewers won't see "Irony..." on the usual button. As reported by Lenta.ru with reference to a representative of VGTRK Victoria Arutyunova, those who don’t want to celebrate the New Year without their usual heroes will be able to find them on “Russia 1”.
According to Lenta.ru's source, the reason is related to broadcasting rights. According to the channels’ agreements with the Mosfilm film concern, which owns the rights to most of the best domestic films, “there is a package of films that should be rotated between channels, like Eurovision.”
However, the concessions are not unilateral. Channel One, instead of “Irony,” will be able to show the films “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession” and “Prisoner of the Caucasus,” which were previously aired before the New Year on the Rossiya 1 TV channel.
This distribution of the “golden fund” of Soviet cinema concerns only Channel One and VGTRK and does not affect other television channels.
The beginning of a legend
Play Emil Braginsky and Eldar Ryazanov “Enjoy your bath! or Once Upon a New Year's Eve...", which formed the basis of the film, was written in 1969 and was successfully shown in theaters for several years.
The film “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!” was filmed by Eldar Ryazanov at the Mosfilm film studio in 1975 by order of the State Committee of the USSR Council of Ministers for Television and Radio Broadcasting.
The premiere of the film took place on January 1, 1976 at 17:45 on the first Central Television program. “Irony...” instantly earned incredible love from the audience. It doesn’t happen very often that a film shown on television is then released into cinemas, but this is exactly what happened with Ryazanov’s film.
“Irony...” was recognized - according to the results of a survey by the magazine "Soviet Screen" - as the best film of 1976, and Andrey Myagkov named best actor of the year. In 1977, the creators of the film were awarded the USSR State Prize.
“Continuation” will remain on First
On December 21, 2007, the film was released in Russian cinemas. Timur Bekmambetov"The Irony of Fate. Continuation". Among the creators of the film was Channel One, and its director Konstantin Ernst became one of the producers of the film. The film was recognized as the highest-grossing film at the box office in Russia and the CIS in 2008: receipts amounted to about $49.92 million.
Since 2007, Channel One has retained the right to broadcast the classic “Irony of Fate” before the New Year. TV premiere of the film “The Irony of Fate. Continuation” took place on January 1, 2010 on Channel One. Unlike Ryazanov’s film, Bekmambetov’s film will not move anywhere: those who wish will find it on Channel One.
Ukrainians were again allowed to watch “The Irony of Fate”
Recently, passions around the “Irony of Fate” have been boiling in Ukraine. In December 2015, the State Cinema Committee of Ukraine announced that it was ready to consider the possibility of banning the screening of the film “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!” in the country if the SBU received a corresponding request.
As Goskino explained, this is possible because Valentina Talyzina, who played in the episode, is included in the “black list” of Russian artists. If the National Security and Defense Council or the Security Service of Ukraine submits a corresponding request, Goskino will consider it.
As a result, on New Year’s Eve 2016, the film’s distribution certificate was not revoked, but Ukrainian TV channels chose not to include “Irony...” in the broadcast schedule out of harm’s way.
Clarity came only in December 2017. Head of Goskino Philip Ilyenko in an interview with the Ukrainian Vesti, he said that Ryazanov’s film can be shown in the country:
“The Cinematography Law states that a film may be prohibited from being shown if one of the participants in the film is included in the list of persons posing a threat to national security, but the law also defines who a “film participant” is. A “film participant” is an individual who took part in the creation of a film made and/or first shown after 1991.”
Since “Irony...” with the “wrong” Talyzina was released on January 1, 1976, it is not subject to the ban.
And thanks for that. In any case, for the first time in recent years, Ukrainians have the opportunity to calmly watch their favorite New Year's film.
The cult Soviet New Year's film "The Irony of Fate" will return to Ukrainian television channels after a two-year break - after clarifications from the State Committee for Cinematography of Ukraine, the film was amnestied.
One of the latest decisions of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine was a ban on the broadcast of the television series “Matchmakers,” which starred the Russian actor from the “black list” Fyodor Dobronravov.
The list also included actress from “The Irony of Fate” Valentina Talyzina, who signed a letter in March 2014 in support of the Russian President’s actions regarding Crimea and Ukraine. For this reason, Ukrainian television channels two years ago - after the adoption of the law - stopped showing the comedy by Eldar Ryazanov, despite the fact that the film was released on January 1, 1976 and has nothing to do with the films mentioned in the document made after 1991.
In addition, for unknown reasons, the unspoken ban on Ukrainian television channels affected all “winter” Soviet film hits - not a single picture was shown over the past period of time.
Now, after Ilyenko’s explanations, the situation on Ukrainian TV may change, and everyone’s favorite films will be rehabilitated. In a promotional video for one of the channels, it was mentioned that “The Irony of Fate” will be returned to the country’s screens on December 31.
The film “The Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath” has become almost the standard of the Russian New Year. So why is it still popular today? I will share with you in this news
From the moment it was released, Eldar Ryazanov’s film “The Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath” literally became a cult film for the Soviet and, later, for the Russian audience. Nowadays, not a single New Year is complete without it in Russia. Housewives cut Olivier to the songs of Nadya (actress Barbara Brylska), and the script itself has long been dismantled into quotes. So what is special about this film? Why did he sink into the soul of the Russian people?
Preparing for the New Year
The film shows well how a typical Soviet person prepares for this magnificent holiday. Using the example of the main character Genet (Andrei Myagkov), it can be seen that many in the family have developed traditions. For some, it is important to go to the bathhouse every year on December 31st with friends. Here, Ryazanov rather played up such a Russian tradition as washing in a bathhouse in general, not only on holidays.
Typical residential areas
The director captured the gray everyday life of ordinary citizens in the images of panel high-rise buildings. But, really, go to any residential area of any large city in Russia, and you will see how identical they are. And in everyday life, little has changed. Housing remains difficult to obtain. So we have to huddle in small apartments, furnished with the simplest furniture.
Ridiculous situations on New Year's Eve
Many people laugh until they cry from the stage when Nadezhda discovers Evgeniy in her apartment and wonders how he could get into her apartment. This is perhaps the most harmless and sweetest situation that could happen on New Year's Day. How many different oddities are happening throughout the country? Ryazanov simply fantasized that this could very well happen to anyone in our country.
Noisy and cheerful friends
Both the friends of Zhenya Lukashin and the friends of Nadya Sheveleva set the atmosphere of the holiday. Ryazanov showed that any person should always have such loyal friends who will support you in any situation, no matter what happens in your life.
Touching denouement or irony of fate
We are all, one way or another, tied by an invisible thread of fate. Sometimes she treats us harshly, sometimes she makes fun of us like this. It was only thanks to such an irony of fate that Zhenya and Nadya found each other. Isn't this a New Year's miracle? The most important thing that the director wanted to show us is that miracles happen, you just have to believe. And he perfectly conveyed this idea to the viewer in this film. In “The Irony of Fate” everyone will find themselves: some in the tender Nadezhda, some in the eccentric Eugene, some in the jealous Hippolyte, and some will be one of those cheerful girlfriends who laugh or one of the faithful friends. That is why this film remains a cult film in Russia for all time.
published: 12/18/2019 at 17:10New Years is soon. And for many of our compatriots it is associated with the cult film by Eldar Ryazanov. I don’t know how the minister of culture, the head of Goskino, the prime minister live there, but this is how it happened in most Ukrainian families: if the apartment smells of a Christmas tree with tangerines, then they will definitely show “The Irony of Fate...” And for many this timeless film by a wonderful director, who to the last (may he rest in heaven) supported Ukraine, they are watching! And let the officials who don’t know this turn over in their chairs!
And they will definitely turn over, because Ukrainian channels will not show this movie during these New Year holidays. They have been so intimidated that they are simply afraid.
And it all started with a message from the all-powerful National Commission on TV and Radio Broadcasting on their website: “The National Council reminds television and radio organizations and program service providers that, in accordance with the law “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine Regarding the Protection of the Information Television and Radio Space of Ukraine,” the Ministry of Culture has compiled a list of persons who pose a threat to national security. Therefore, films, programs and other programs with the participation of persons included in it cannot be broadcast on television and radio organizations.”
This is where all the fuss began. In “Irony...” there is Valentina Talyzina, who, according to modern Ukrainian criteria, “threatens national security.” How? The 80-year-old actress says a lot of "wrong" things. Not in the film, but now. And our democracy will not tolerate this!
I just want to say to the officials: “You are our democrats, a poker in your liver!” Remember who made this film?! Who's in the cast?! Ryazanov, Akhedzhakova, Myagkov are people from the “white list” (whether it’s wrong with the “black” one, but still). And the same Ministry of Culture, when compiling it, promised to protect the creativity of those who supported Ukraine in this difficult time.
Stop crap, gentlemen officials. Get busy!
OFFICIALLY
The press service of Goskino (it is this department that is responsible for issuing licenses for showing films on TV and in cinemas) promised us to find out the fate of “Irony...” in the distribution department - whether it still has a distribution certificate or no longer. On the evening of December 23, we were informed that the film would not be banned after all. Although it’s already too late - the channels have already decided not to take risks and have not included this picture in the program schedule.
FROM THE HOURS
“It seems to me that we have forgotten that we live in the 21st century”
Vladimir BORODIANSKY, general director of the STB channel, which is the copyright holder of the television broadcast of the film “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!”:
It seems to me that we have forgotten that we live in the 21st century, where cultural prohibitions practically do not apply. Here we need to ask the question: what does the state want to achieve by this or that action? If it wants to protect its own culture and develop it, then perhaps bans are not needed for this. On the one hand, certain restrictions are needed, and on the other, preferences.
When they say that someone’s TV series or films are destroying our culture... By and large, cinema does not destroy anything, it is completely different people who are destroying it with completely different actions that we see on TV every day!
Yes, of course, we must identify ourselves as a nation. But you won’t achieve this with a ban. I don't think this move is an effective solution.
This New Year, for the first time in a decade, Russians will not be able to watch “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!” on Channel One. The beloved folk tradition will not be disrupted - the film will be shown by “Russia-1”, but compatriots are still worried. "360" tells why "The Irony of Fate" changed the button and what the film's actors and viewers say about it.
Some domestic films have an exclusively New Year's flair: these are “The Irony of Fate”, “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession”, “Prisoner of the Caucasus” and “Operation Y and Other Adventures of Shurik”. The rights to them belong to Mosfilm. This year, the film studio divided the rights as follows: “The Irony of Fate”, “Operation Y”, “The Diamond Arm” and “Gentlemen of Fortune” went to “Russia-1”, and “Ivan Vasilyevich” and “Prisoner” - to “First " The channel will also show the sequel to the film by Eldar Ryazanov.
It is high time
“360” talked to the actors who played the main roles in “The Irony of Fate.” They were indifferent to the change in the New Year's television program. Andrei Myagkov, who played Yevgeny Lukashin, was completely delighted: the film, he believes, is being forced too much on the audience.
I only welcome the fact that “The Irony of Fate” will not be shown. Because you need to have a sense of proportion. This is a film that may actually be good. But he was turned into a laughing stock. My opinion: there is no need to force the spectacle on the viewer so often
Andrey Myagkov.
The artist himself does not watch TV on New Year’s Day. “On New Year’s I like not to watch a movie, but to have a glass and go to bed,” he said.
When asked whether it’s time for Russian cinema to offer viewers a new New Year’s movie hit, Myagkov answered - it’s time. There’s just no one to offer it to. “It doesn’t depend on the time. It depends on the talent of the director, who, unfortunately, no longer exists. The time won't come soon<…>This is due to the impoverishment of talent. I worry myself, I’m in despair about this, but I can’t answer why,” he said.
Barbara Brylska, who played the role of Nadya, said that in Poland “The Irony of Fate” is not connected with the New Year. “They don’t always show it here either,” noted the actress.
Photo: still from the film “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!”
Valentina Talyzina (the role of Valya, the main character’s friend) reacted to the news philosophically.
Well, if they don’t show it, that means they won’t show it. It had to come to an end sometime. They will show others. They showed it for forty years - but now they don’t, they have their own hillocks and streams
Valentina Talyzina.
An era has passed, the end is near, take Olivier
But viewers reacted violently to the news - and immediately began to imagine what other indispensable attributes they might lose. Olivier, the president's speech, tangerines, Blue Light - what's next?
Now we don’t know what to do on December 31 - Channel One will not show “The Irony of Fate” for the first time in 10 years. An era has passed. pic.twitter.com/7TEw5y5anH
Kotonauts (@meownauts) December 19, 2017
Snob writes that Channel One will not show “The Irony of Fate” for the New Year. Repent, for the end is near. Maybe you will also close “Field of Miracles” and “The Word of the Shepherd”?
