Director Leonid Kruglov, who recently unveiled a new documentary titled “To the North Pole,” discussed the dangers polar bears present in his work. Fontanka reports that the bear threat remained a constant concern during filming and that Kruglov, who also serves as the director of the Wrangel Island Nature Reserve, notes there is no certified protection method against polar bears. Official measures may be limited, but the team identified a potential solution that proved helpful in practice.
Kruglov explained that drone technology, specifically quadcopters, offered a remarkably effective means of safeguarding crew members from polar bear encounters. He pointed out that the production team included veteran helicopter operators who are skilled at using aircraft to deter hunters. When the team sought to capture the bears in their natural setting, a drone was flown at a high altitude, keeping a safe distance while allowing the bears to behave normally without being startled by noise. If a dangerous situation developed, the helicopter could descend and simulate an approach to the bear, creating a controlled scenario that helped the crew anticipate reactions.
Kruglov summarized the strategy: if a bear begins to close in and threatens the crew, a controlled low-altitude approach directed toward the animal can prompt the bear to retreat, as observed in practice.
A former Bolshoi Theatre ballerina offered context on the broader conversation around safety, ethics, and international concerns, explaining why caution is necessary for anyone considering return to her country after public criticism of certain policies. Her perspective highlights the tension between fieldwork safety, geopolitical dynamics, and the responsibilities of documentary filmmaking when real-world events intersect with sensitive political topics.