Cosmonaut Oleg Novitsky, who stepped into acting with Klim Shipenko’s film The Challenge, shared that his daughters were particularly moved by his performance. He discussed the experience on his Neformat podcast, offering a candid glimpse into how his family reacted to seeing him on screen.
“The girls connected with it a lot, especially the youngest one. In a tense moment when the operation begins in the movie, the character reaches out, presses against the presenter and asks if it hurts. I told him, it’s just a movie, don’t worry. Yet he was only six, so his response was naturally very childlike and spontaneous,” Novitsky recalled, describing his children’s heartfelt reaction without diminishing the film’s dramatic impact.
The film’s premiere occurred on April 20, and remarkably, within just two weeks of its release, The Challenge had already crossed the one‑billion ruble mark at the box office. By early August, the domestic earnings surpassed two billion rubles, underscoring the movie’s strong resonance with audiences and its successful reception in Russia’s cinema landscape.
The Challenge holds the distinction of being the first feature film shot aboard the International Space Station, a feat that fused scientific achievement with cinematic storytelling. The production followed a bold premise: Yulia Peresild stars as a surgeon who must prepare for a space mission and travel to the ISS to aid an astronaut in danger. Director Klim Shipenko also participates in the project, driving a collaborative effort that blends exploration, drama, and real spaceflight logistics to craft a distinctive screen experience.
Within the story, Zhenya Belyaeva (portrayed by Yulia Peresild) faces a high‑stakes mission that hinges on both medical expertise and the ability to adapt under extreme conditions. The ensemble cast includes notable actors such as Milos Bikovich, Vladimir Mashkov, Oleg Novitsky, Anton Shkaplerov, Pyotr Dubrov, Elena Valyushkina, Varvara Volodina, and Alexander Baluev, each contributing to a narrative that weaves personal sacrifice with interstellar courage.
In related commentary, comparisons were drawn between performances and familiar faces in the industry, highlighting how the cast’s real-world camaraderie and professional credibility shaped the film’s tone. The project has continued to attract attention for its ambitious scope, its groundbreaking use of spaceflight environments, and its ability to translate a complex, high‑pressure mission into a compelling cinematic arc.