Disney Preps First Russian-Produced Film

BURBANK, September 16: The
Walt Disney Company CIS has teamed up with Nikita Mikhalkov’s Three T Studio
for its first Russian-produced feature, The Book of Masters, which began filming this month.

The Book of Masters, which will premiere in fall 2009, stars young
talent and several generations of well-known actors, including Leonid
Kuravlyov, Valentin Gaft, Irina Apeksimova, Olga Arosjeva, Mikhail Efremov,
Gosha Kutsenko and Artur Smolyaninov. The program is being directed by Vadim
Sokolovsky, the local production and acquisitions director for The Walt Disney
Company CIS.

“We are very happy that
the first Russian Disney movie starring famous Russian actors will be adapted
from Russian fairy tales we all know from childhood,” said Marina
Jigalova-Ozkan, the managing director of The Walt Disney Company CIS. “The
Book of Masters is targeted to a
family audience. This is a light-hearted comedy adventure told with love and
self-deprecating humor, continuing the Disney spirit and traditions. We hope
that both children and adults will enjoy the adventures of our characters.
We're honored and thrilled to be working with Three T Studio and their talented
team to create an exceptional movie in the Russian language that is culturally
relevant for the avid movie-going audiences in Russia.”

—By Jackie Stewart