September 27, 2020

First Artistic Film from Space


First Artistic Film from Space
The International Space Station could be the setting for a new artistic film. Image by NASA via Wikimedia Commons

Roscosmos, Russia’s state space agency, has announced plans to shoot an artistic film about the International Space Station (ISS) from the station itself. The film is tentatively titled Challenge («Вызов»), and some space experts think the project is a call out to Elon Musk.

So far, there is no specific information about when the film will be available to the public, but shooting is planned for fall 2021. The main actor and his understudy will be selected via an open competition, then will head to the ISS via the Soyuz-MS. The film’s director will be Klim Shipenko, and the producers are Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roscosmos, and Konstantin Ernst, the General Director for Channel One (Первый канал).

While the details for Roscosmos’ project remain unclear, there is some information from NASA and SpaceX as regards their project to shoot a film in space. Back in May, NASA announced that they were working with Tom Cruise to have him act in a film from the ISS itself.

Reactions to Roscosmos’ announcement are mixed. Russian astronaut Sergey Ryazansky commented that Roscosmos is correct that “all means are good” to help popularize space travel in Russia. Former astronaut turned politician Yelena Serova stated that she does not see any difficulties in this project, as even astronauts themselves are used to filming their daily life onboard the ISS.

Yet not everyone is as supportive of the project. Space expert Vadim Lukashevich believes that the film is simply an expression of the director’s jealousy of Elon Musk. Alexander Golubchikov, director of development for Cinema and TV Shows at Salo marketing agency, said he believes the project is simply a PR stunt: “By and large, there is no sense in this, this is purely a PR story. For an actor to fly into space, he must have remarkable health, undergo training at the Cosmonaut Training Center, this is too complicated a story to do a similar project within a year or two.”

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

A Taste of Chekhov
December 24, 2022

A Taste of Chekhov

This compact volume is an introduction to the works of Chekhov the master storyteller, via nine stories spanning the last twenty years of his life.

The Moscow Eccentric
December 01, 2016

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

The Samovar Murders
November 01, 2019

The Samovar Murders

The murder of a poet is always more than a murder. When a famous writer is brutally stabbed on the campus of Moscow’s Lumumba University, the son of a recently deposed African president confesses, and the case assumes political implications that no one wants any part of.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955