'Wolfhound' running wild in Russia

MOSCOW, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The fantasy film "Wolfhound" has opened at 640 locations in Russia and its surrounding territories, marking the largest Slavic film release in history.

"Wolfhound," a film adaptation of author Maria Semenova's best-selling trilogy, opened on the record 640 screens Thursday, Daily Variety reported. It comes in the wake of the highly successful film, "Day Watch" from director Timur Bekmambetov.

Made on a budget of nearly $10 million, director Nikolai Lebedev's "Wolfhound" may have earned a record release, but to date has not earned the respect of Russian film critics.

Those involved in the film's distribution remain optimistic about the film's future.

Plans are in place for the film's release in Eastern Europe and in various locales throughout Asia and Latin America, the paper reported.