"Nebes Peresvet": premiere of a film about strength of spirit and the unity of the people

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The premiere of the docudrama "Nebes Peresvet", directed by Olesya Shigina, took place at the National Centre RUSSIA on 12 March. The event was attended by state and public figures from the fields of culture, science, art and education, well-known actors and artists, participants in combat operations, representatives of public and youth organisations, students and volunteers.

"The film by Olesya Shigina, 'Nebes Peresvet', is not simply a chronicle of military actions, but a genuine parable. It is a parable about how a boy who had never known parental love was able to discover within himself this immense feeling that embraced all of us. It was so powerful that he gave his life for his neighbour. The main character, Aibulat, with the call sign 'Bes' ('Demon'), baptised Alexander, died at the age of 23 near Kursk. He passed away at roughly the same age at which Alexander Nevsky, the heavenly patron of our diplomacy, said his famous words: 'God is not in might but in truth', and embodied them through his feat <…> The short life of Aibulat — only 23 years — is living proof that Russia’s strength lies in unity. Russian, Tatar, Muslim, Orthodox, career officer and volunteer — when the hour comes, they stand shoulder to shoulder. And as long as we feel this unity, we cannot be defeated. Victory is achieved not only by weapons — it is achieved by strength of spirit," said Director of the Information and Press Department and Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, Maria Zakharova, in a video address.

The film received support at the pitching session of the #SVOeKINO workshop at the festival "Tavrida.Art-2025". It combines documentary truth with artistic imagery. At the centre of the narrative is the spiritual journey of a young volunteer from Tatarstan, Aibulat Immatullin, whose fate became a symbol of the unity and strength of spirit of our people. The transformation of his call sign — from "Bes" ("Demon") to "Peresvet" ("Light-Bearer") — reflects the inner evolution of the protagonist and the deeper meanings of the present day.

"The fate of Aibulat is a clear lesson for the entire country. It proves that our diversity is a strength. That a shared tragedy and a shared goal erase boundaries. And that victory is achieved not only by weapons, but also by strength of spirit, the ability for self-sacrifice and that very 'humanity' which unites us beyond any differences. The life story of the main character brings peoples together. Whatever our nationality or faith may be — we are one whole, one family united by Russia," said the author of the idea, director and creative producer of the film "Nebes Peresvet", Olesya Shigina.

Filming took place over the course of three years both on the front line and in the rear. The geography of the project is extensive and includes Tatarstan, Tver, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Chechnya, Lugansk, Zaporozhye, Belgorod, Samara and Kursk. The artistic part of the film was created in real conditions.

In the artistic part of the film, the roles are performed not by actors but by real people. Violinist Maria Andreyeva was among the first musicians to perform on the streets of liberated Mariupol in April 2022. At the age of 19, Virineya Shigina went to the front line to paint portraits of the soldiers, which led to the creation of the movement "Coal of the Russian Land". The main character of the film is Khizar Salamov, commander of an assault company of the Akhmat special forces.

"Acting turned out to be much more difficult than it appears from the outside. When you watch filming from afar, everything seems easy and natural. But when you find yourself inside the process, you realise how challenging it is. Sometimes you have to deliberately create a state of exhaustion in order to convey the character’s emotions convincingly — for example, doing push-ups so that you look and feel worn out. It requires great dedication. I spent an entire year immersing myself in this character, and I am convinced that films like this are especially needed today. By profession I am a special forces fighter, and before taking part in the film I had never encountered acting. When I agreed to the role, I did not yet fully realise the scale of the task — and once I became deeply involved in the process, it became clear that it was a serious challenge," noted Khizar Salamov, who performed the role of Aibulat-Peresvet.

As part of the screening, a photo and art exposition "Painting in the Service of the Fatherland. Coal of the Russian Land" was also organised. The display brought together behind-the-scenes photographs, portraits of the film’s heroes and paintings by leading Russian artists. The works presented form part of the artistic value gallery "Painting in the Service of the Fatherland. Coal of the Russian Land", created by the authors of the film "Nebes Peresvet".

During the event, director Olesya Shigina and members of the film crew shared stories about the making of the film. They spoke about its significance in the context of the unity of the peoples of Russia, the role of faith and the greatness of the feat of contemporary heroes. After the screening of the film "Nebes Peresvet", Ildar Rezyapov, Deputy Commander for Military-Political Work of the "Veterans" unit with the call sign "Politik" ("Politician",), presented the Order of Courage posthumously to the family of Aibulat Immatullin. He had arrived specifically from the front line to do so.