Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Mosfilm Film Concern – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
February 27, 2026
News editorial office
46
Filming for a new Mosfilm project, a film with the working title "Survive the Ice," has begun in the Pechenga District near the town of Zapolyarny. A nearly authentic polar station has been built there for the project. The film's plot is based on events that took place during the 27th Soviet Antarctic Expedition at Vostok Station in 1982.
Mosfilm has launched production on a new feature film, the working title of which is "Survive the Ice." The film crew has already begun work in the Murmansk region, where an impressive set has been erected to recreate the atmosphere of Antarctica, accurately capturing the appearance of the legendary Vostok Station of the early 1980s.
The project is being developed by Gopkins Film Production, commissioned by Mosfilm. The film's general producer is renowned film director and CEO of the film concern, Karen Shakhnazarov. Alexander Zachinyaev is directing and writing the script. The production team includes Denis Lopatkin, Alexander Perevezentsev, Andrey Starovoytov, Gennady Gorbachev, and Anatoly Shelyakin. Alexander Kuznetsov is the director of photography, and Yulia Makushina is the production designer. The cast includes both established filmmakers and prominent representatives of the new generation: Alexander Gorbatov, Vitaly Kishchenko, Alexey Vertkov, Kirill Grebenshchikov, Ivan Shakhnazarov, Oleg Vasilkov, Daria Ursulyak, and others.
WHY THE MURMANSK REGION REPLACED ANTARCTICA
The choice of location for the on-location filming was no accident. The region was ideal for the filmmakers for a number of reasons. Here, in the vicinity of Zapolyarny, the harsh landscape blends seamlessly with a stable snow cover, while the climate remains more forgiving for complex filmmaking equipment than at the actual South Pole.
As Alexander Perevezentsev, CEO of Gopkins Film Production and the project's producer, explained, the location search was conducted with strict technical requirements in mind. "We needed a specific terrain and the possibility of large-scale construction. This location met all our requirements," he emphasized. "Understanding the scale of the work ahead was, of course, a source of anxiety. But when you see what we were able to build here, in the bare tundra, you feel genuine pride. This is a colossal effort by the entire team."
According to the producer, the logistics of preparing the set proved a formidable challenge: builders and artists worked in extreme cold, with temperatures dropping to -39 degrees Celsius. However, Alexander Perevezentsev believes it's precisely this dedication that will ensure maximum authenticity on screen. "The people who will be making a film about severe frosts work in these conditions themselves. This is the very truth that the audience will definitely feel," he added.
MOSFILM PRODUCES FILMS ON ITS OWN
This project is of particular importance to the Film Concern, as it is being implemented solely with the studio's own funds, without the involvement of government or sponsorship funding.
Mosfilm Deputy General Director and the film's producer, Andrei Gushchin, noted that preparatory work began long before the official start of production last August. "Working on the script and searching for locations were painstaking and time-consuming. And now, being on set and seeing these large-scale, high-quality sets, I'm confident of success," he shared. "I want to emphasize: this film is being produced entirely with our studio's funds. This is crucial for us. Mosfilm continues to make films independently, investing resources in serious, large-scale projects. The challenging weather conditions only add to the realism, completely immersing the actors in the given circumstances. I'm confident the audience will believe this story."
DIRECTOR'S SPEECH
On the first day of filming, director and screenwriter Alexander Zachinyaev spoke with the media and answered questions about the sets and their daily work routine. He explained that the set complex built near Zapolyarny is not just a model, but a composite yet highly authentic representation of Soviet Antarctic stations.
"We didn't blindly copy any one particular structure, but our station is certainly very similar to the old Vostok station that existed in the early 1980s. Everything there is different now, modular and modern, but before, it was a complex of individual buildings. The artists managed to convey this texture: there's a lot of metal here, and all the structures are solid and sturdy. These aren't cardboard boxes, but real structures," said Alexander Zachinyaev.
He also noted that the Kola Peninsula's landscapes are ideal for filming the "frozen continent," with its main advantage being the stable snow cover. However, the Arctic also puts its own twist on the schedule. "On the very first day, we lost about an hour of filming time due to thick fog—a rare but dense phenomenon here," the director shared. "The cold also takes its toll: the equipment is sometimes capricious. But the weather has been kind to the crew so far, although conditions are certainly far from comfortable. The crew is holding up, everyone is motivated to work, fortunately the food is delicious, and we're working hard."
ANTARCTIC RV AND TRADITIONAL PLATE
The vehicles recreated for the film deserve special attention. The legendary Antarctic all-terrain vehicle "Kharkivchanka"—a huge tracked vehicle—stands particularly impressive against the snowy plain. Its exterior has been meticulously crafted: the paint has been deliberately distressed and features a color scheme typical of the 1980s, immediately conveying the impression of rigorous use. A model of an airplane is also displayed next to the vehicle.
Following tradition, after rehearsing the first scene, director Alexander Zachinyaev smashed a "plate"—a special cinematic artifact containing information about the film and autographs from the cast—on the tripod, wishing his colleagues good luck.
Denis Lopatkin, General Producer of Hopkins Film Production, admitted he felt both pride and responsibility. "Karen Georgievich Shakhnazarov placed great trust in us, and we understand the responsibility. We overcame enormous challenges to prepare the site, create this equipment, and build the station. But preparation is only half the battle; now we have to film. And for this, we have assembled one of the strongest teams in the country. We have everything here: the plane, the Kharkivchanka, the station. All that remains is to wish us all fair winds!" he remarked.
Filming in the Murmansk region will span 17 shifts. During this period, the entire set of exterior scenes will be shot, including all-terrain vehicle drives, wide shots, and scenes at the fuel depot. All remaining interiors, including the station's interior, will be recreated on Mosfilm soundstages, where production will resume after the crew returns from the Arctic.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
