The film rights to Viktor Ginzburg’s Empire V, an adaptation of Viktor Pelevin’s acclaimed novel, were acquired by the French production company Reel Suspects during the Cannes Film Festival. This notable acquisition signals a significant international interest in Pelevin’s work and in the cinematic reinterpretation that follows. The development aligns with a growing trend of European studios investing in bold, genre-blurring adaptations from contemporary Russian literature that resonate with global audiences seeking speculative fiction with political and cultural bite.
The narrative unfolds in contemporary Russia, following an ordinary teenager named Roman Shtorkin who discovers he has become a vampire. The transformation sets him on a collision course with a hidden power structure that manipulates human society. As Roman navigates this dangerous revelation, the story delves into themes of control, allegiance, and the ethical ambiguities that accompany immortality. The coming-of-age arc is intensified by the covert world of the undead, where ancient appetites meet modern spheres of influence, creating a layered drama that blends social critique with supernatural suspense.
The film adaptation of Pelevin’s novel stars a cast including Pavel Tabakov, Miron Fedorov, Marina Zudina, Vladimir Dolinsky, and Fyodor Bondarchuk. Each actor brings a distinct presence to the screen, contributing to a ensemble that balances youthful vulnerability with seasoned performance. The production highlights a diverse mix of talent, aiming to capture the tonal shifts of Pelevin’s source material—from intimate character moments to sprawling, symbolic set pieces that comment on power structures, media influence, and technological reach. The collaboration among the cast and the director’s vision is positioned to translate the book’s satirical edge and psychological tension into a cinematic experience with universal appeal.
World premiere preparations place the film in the summer showcase circuit, with a debut slated for Fantasia International Film Festival in Canada, a festival renowned for its embrace of innovative genre cinema. The Canadian premiere is scheduled to run through the heart of summer, offering audiences a first look at a project that promises to challenge conventional vampire narratives. The choice of Fantasia as the premiere venue reflects the production’s intent to reach a dedicated following of genre fans who appreciate bold storytelling and atmospheric world-building. Meanwhile, planning for distribution beyond festival screens includes considerations of regional markets and regulatory landscapes that shape how and where the film will be released. It is noted that the film will not secure a distribution lease in Russia, as government authorities declined to issue the necessary licensing. This development underscores how political and cultural gates can influence the lifecycle of international cinema, shaping where a film can be seen and how it can be interpreted by different audiences across borders.