Ironie des Schicksals
The films in the series represent a Russian tradition of the New Year's Movie where films that take place during the holiday season tap into the vein of hope, optimism, and possibility associated with New Year's in the Russian culture. Other examples include "The Irony of Fate" and "The Irony of Fate 2" (also directed by Bekmambetov). Typically such films are released in December, just before the start of the holidays in Russia.