Principal photography has officially commenced in Serbia for the upcoming feature Alpine Ballad. The project is a modern reimagining of the classic 1963 novella by the celebrated author Vasil Bykov.
The film stars Ivan Yankovsky (Outsource) and Miloš Biković (The Serf) in the leading roles. Helming the production is director Andrey Bogatyryov, best known for his acclaimed work on The Red Ghost.
The narrative is set in 1943 against the striking backdrop of the Italian Alps. Ivan (Yankovsky), a Soviet soldier, manages a daring escape from a concentration camp. His flight for freedom takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Dieter Schulze (Biković), a prominent German actor, and Giulia (Deniz Sardisco), an Italian anti-fascist resistance fighter. The fugitives must survive three harrowing days together, navigating life-threatening obstacles and an emerging, unlikely romance.
While the first screen version of Bykov’s story was released in 1965 by director Boris Stepanov, this new adaptation features a screenplay by Svetlana Shteba (Breathe) and Serbian dramatist Nebojša Romčević. The film is being produced by Pan-Atlantic Studio with the backing of the Cinema Fund.
Alpine Ballad marks a significant milestone as the first major co-production between Russia and Serbia. The theatrical release is currently slated for the spring of 2027.
Photo: Pan-Atlantic Studio
