''Days of Eclipse'' () (or, '' The Days of Eclipse, Dni Zatmenija, Días de eclipse'') is a 1988 Soviet film directed by

Alexander Sokurov Alexander Nikolayevich Sokurov, PAR (; born 14 June 1951) is a Russian filmmaker. His most significant works include a feature film, ''Russian Ark'' (2002), filmed in a single unedited shot, and ''Faust'' (2011), which was honoured with the G ...

. The screenplay is by Yuri Arabov and Pyotr Kadochnikov based on a screenplay by

Arkady and Boris Strugatsky The brothers Arkady Strugatsky (28 August 1925 – 12 October 1991) and Boris Strugatsky (14 April 1933 – 19 November 2012) were Soviet and Russian science-fiction authors who collaborated through most of their careers. Their notable works in ...

, which is in turn based on their 1977 novel ''

Definitely Maybe ''Definitely Maybe'' is the debut studio album by the English rock band Oasis, released on 29 August 1994 by Creation Records. The album features Noel Gallagher on lead guitar, backing vocals and as chief songwriter, Liam Gallagher on lead vo ...

'' (').

Plot

A recently qualified medical doctor, Dmitri Malyanov, has taken a posting to a remote and very poor part of

Soviet Turkmenistan The Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic, also known as Soviet Turkmenistan, the Turkmen SSR, TuSSR, Turkmenistan, or Turkmenia, was one of the Republics of the Soviet Union, constituent republics of the Soviet Union located in Soviet Central Asia, ...

. On top of his day job as a pediatrician Malyanov is undertaking research into the effects of religious practice on human health. His research has drawn the politically incorrect conclusion that religious faith does indeed improve health. However, as he attempts to write up his thesis, various sorts of improbable, bizarre events take place one after another. Malyanov perceives that some force is preventing him from completing his research.

Production

In the novel, the protagonist who works on research in

astrophysics Astrophysics is a science that employs the methods and principles of physics and chemistry in the study of astronomical objects and phenomena. As one of the founders of the discipline, James Keeler, said, astrophysics "seeks to ascertain the ...

is similarly confounded by a mysterious force trying to interfere and impede his research. ''Days of Eclipse'' is filmed using unusual cinematographic techniques in a half-documentary manner where black-and-white and sepia frames alternate with color. Sokurov chose for the film's location the town in

Turkmenistan Turkmenistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the south and southwest and the Caspian Sea to the west. Ash ...

where he had spent his childhood as the son of an Army officer.''The Cinema of Alexander Sokurov'', ed. Birgit Beumers and Nancy Condee, pp. 77; I.B.Tauris, 2011,

Cast

The film features a cast of non-professionals. * Aleksei Ananishnov as Malyanov * Eskender Umarov as Vecherovsky * Irina Sokolova as Malyanov's Sister * Vladimir Zamansky as Snegovoy * Kirill Dudkin as Gluchov * Aleksei Yankovsky as Snegovoy's Father * Viktor Belovolsky as Gubar * Sergei Krylov as Little Boy

Awards

European Film Awards The European Film Awards (or European Film Academy Awards) have been presented annually since 1988 by the European Film Academy to recognize excellence in European cinematic achievements. The awards are given in 19 categories, of which the mos ...

( Special Award for Best Music) of

European Film Academy The European Film Academy is a group of European film director, filmmakers who come together in Berlin on the occasion of the first presentation of the European Film Awards in November 1988. Every year, the European Film Academy honors films an ...

1988 1988 was a crucial year in the early history of the Internet—it was the year of the first well-known computer virus, the Morris worm, 1988 Internet worm. The first permanent intercontinental Internet link was made between the United State ...

to the composer Yuri Khanin *

Nika Award The Nika Award (sometimes styled NIKA Award) is the main annual national film award in Russia, presented by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Science, and seen as the national equivalent of the Oscars. In 2022 nominees were announced, b ...

of the Union of Cinematographers of USSR for the best 1989 sound work to Vladimir Persov * Composer Yuri Khanin was also nominated for 1989 Nika for the best music

References

External links

* *
Days of Eclipse commentary
by Irina Graschenkova {{DEFAULTSORT:Days Of Eclipse Films based on works by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky Soviet science fiction drama films 1988 films 1988 in the Soviet Union Films directed by Alexander Sokurov Lenfilm films 1980s Russian-language films Russian-language science fiction drama films Films based on science fiction novels Films based on Russian novels 1980s science fiction drama films 1988 drama films 1980s Soviet films Films scored by Yuri Khanon 1988 science fiction films