Artemy Dragunsky, the grandson of the author and the nephew of the book’s central figure, is slated to direct a new adaptation of Viktor Dragunsky’s beloved children’s book Deniska’s Tales. This update was shared by producer Ghevond Andreasyan of Enjoy Movies in an interview reported by the Bulletin of the Movie Distributor.
Andreasyan explained that the team sees a touch of magic in the project and chose to gift Dragunsky fans with a fresh fairy tale for the family audience. Filming for Deniska Stories was planned to begin in August of 2023, with an initial run of 25 preschool episodes focusing on Denis. A subsequent phase would bring 35 more stories, this time drawing from school-age adventures. The project aims to expand the Deniska universe while preserving the spirit of the original tales.
The producer noted that recreating the look and feel of the 1960s to 1980s would require careful attention to period details, licensing, and authentic settings. In Deniska Stories, the action unfolds in the heart of the city, featuring historically significant sites such as Red Square and VDNKh. Those iconic locations add character but demand substantial planning, licensing, and coordination. Andreasyan emphasized that while the scope is ambitious, the creative team believes the result will resonate with both longtime readers and new viewers.
Artemy Dragunsky was born and raised in Moscow and is a graduate of the Moscow Art Theater School. He has built a career as a director and screenwriter, contributing to hundreds of multimedia productions and bringing dynamic stagecraft to life on screen. His experience and lineage provide a unique lens through which the Deniska stories are reimagined for contemporary families.
In related industry news, discussions have circulated about other classic adaptations, illustrating a broader trend of revisiting well-loved literary works for modern audiences. This movement reflects a continued interest in kid-friendly narratives that blend humor, heart, and historical flavor while remaining accessible to today’s viewers.