Actor Anton Shagin, known for the military drama Pass Code Passenger, spoke openly about how his personal experiences with his brother informed his performance in the film. The comments came during an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, where the actor connected his on-screen intensity to real life memories and family bonds.
Shagin recalled a recent phone call from his brother, who had watched the film and told him that the actor’s intense gaze in the opening battle scene reminded him of his own first combat encounter. He praised his brother for surviving serious injuries, including a shrapnel wound, and for enduring lengthy medical treatment before returning to service. The actor described his family’s resilience with a quiet pride and noted that these anecdotes influenced his portrayal of a soldier whose experiences echo real wartime moments.
The interview also noted that the actor’s relative, Konstantin Shagin, volunteered for service with the Northern Military District. In recounting their family history, Anton Shagin highlighted the role their grandfather played in cultivating a sense of national pride. He also acknowledged the challenges of being a patriot within Russia, saying he often encounters obstacles described as coming from liberal circles.
Passenger Call Sign premiered in more than two thousand cinemas across Russia, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. In its debut weekend, the film was shown in over ten thousand screenings, signaling a wide regional reach. The narrative centers on events in Donbass during 2015 and explores the conditions that led to the broader military operation. The film has been positioned as a cinematic reflection of those times, drawing on current and past tensions that continue to shape regional discourse.
Earlier, Shagin spoke about the decision to make a film set around the Donbass events, sharing thoughts on the implications and the storytelling approach used to depict such sensitive moments. He emphasized the importance of presenting a real, human side to soldiers and civilians affected by conflict, while acknowledging the contested perspectives that accompany war-time narratives.