Channel One’s managing director and producer, Konstantin Ernst, has revealed that the seed of the feature film The Challenge was planted in 2000, though the project did not come together at that time. According to Ernst, negotiations with Roscosmos’ leadership progressed to the point where documents were prepared for signatures. He noted that the public reasons for the delay should remain private, but he emphasized that the plan of record called for filming in real space on the Russian segment of the International Space Station (ISS).
Ernst added that NASA proposed a variation in which Klim Shipenko’s film would incorporate segments from the Americas side of the ISS. He explained that there was an outline in which the lead character, a physician, would converse with an astronaut. However, NASA reportedly rejected that approach, and the production continued with the dome set on the Russian segment while still acknowledging the broader context of the American portion of the station.
The project centers on a female doctor who undertakes a mission in orbit to aid an astronaut, and The Challenge stands out as the first feature film to be photographed in space aboard the ISS. Ernst describes the central storyline and the thematic focus on medical courage and space risk, presenting it as a milestone in Russian cinema and space collaboration.
Early public screenings in Moscow began on a notable observance related to space exploration, signaling the film’s imminent nationwide rollout. The release of The Challenge to screens across Russia followed shortly thereafter, marking a significant moment in contemporary film and space collaboration narratives.
Earlier reports mentioned that a different performer was offered the lead role in the project, underscoring the film’s evolving casting discussions and the high level of interest in leading roles for this high-profile space cinema effort.