A pre-premiere screening of the film "Aldan" took place at the National Centre RUSSIA

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On December 8, on the eve of the Heroes of the Fatherland Day, the National Centre RUSSIA hosted a pre-premiere screening of the film "Aldan" — an interregional project created through the joint efforts of the Zaporozhye region and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The film's script is based on real events, portraying the heroes of our time — participants in the Special Military Operation, and is dedicated to the memory of Russian military journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty.

"Many people say that films should be made when we have achieved a definitive victory, but I believe we must do it today as well. Cinema, as the most important of the arts, must not stand aside. It should convey to a broad audience both in our country and abroad the truth about the values our people are fighting for today," stated the Head of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Aisen Nikolayev.

The film "Aldan" became the first movie about the Special Military Operation created in collaboration between two regions. The initiative of Yakutia's Head, Aisen Nikolayev, was supported by the Governor of the Zaporozhye Region, Yevgeny Balitsky. 

"Today, part of the territories where Russian people live is already free. We can freely go to our churches, walk the streets built by our ancestors. And I am confident that this film is not our last project. We will continue making films and showing the truth so that our children will only know about war through television," said the Governor of the Zaporozhye Region, Yevgeny Balitsky.

The film's executive producer is Danila Kulikov, the scriptwriter is Roman Vladykin, and the director is Dmitry Koltsov.

"I would like to express my gratitude to the National Centre RUSSIA for providing a wonderful opportunity to show our film. Right now, informational work is extremely important, and it is essential to produce media content that conveys to the country's residents the values we live by — principles of friendship and mutual assistance, as well as family values. We tried to reflect all of this in our film and aimed to make it as professional and impactful as possible," noted Danila Kulikov. 

The film features not only Yakut actors but also stars of Russian cinema. Actor Dmitry Dyuzhev played the role of the Sudoplatov battalion commander — Major Shatun, while Ivan Okhlobystin portrayed Major Radchenko. Additionally, one of the roles was performed by athlete, mixed martial artist, and public figure Jeff Monson.

"Today, the primary task of culture is to glorify our heroes, the key figures of our time. And the key figures of our time are the military, our army. This is a reality that we must not only accept but also celebrate. Because we can rely on our army — both on each individual and the army as a whole. We are destined for victory, and I am confident that we will win," stated actor Ivan Okhlobystin, who played Major Radchenko in the film. 

The film tells the story of volunteer Spiridon Dyakonov, a Yakut entrepreneur in the IT field, who volunteered for the SMO after enduring a devastating loss — the death of his daughter. His decision to become a military doctor is a journey filled with pain and complex moral choices, revealing true heroism and the fight for justice.

The main character is inspired by Nikolai Potapov, a recipient of the Order of Courage, deputy commander of the medical platoon, military doctor of the 155th Pacific Fleet Marine Brigade, and CEO of the IT school ExpoSkills and the game development studio Kryolit Games. He received this high honor for his heroism and bravery during the assault on Pavlovka in the Donetsk People's Republic. Today, after being demobilized due to a severe injury, Nikolai is engaged in an important mission — teaching young people digital technologies and contributing to the country's technological sovereignty.

"I was delighted to take part in this project on a voluntary basis. During my student years, I worked part-time as a paramedic and a nurse in the emergency room and ICU in Yakutsk, and those skills proved invaluable during the SMO. Speaking about the film's main character, I can say that the actor and I are not only compatriots but also spiritually alike. Ilya Yakovlev is an amazing guy with incredible energy, and sometimes I feel like he is even more Nikolai Potapov than I am," shared Nikolai Potapov. 

In the lobby of the concert hall where the screening took place, there was a mobile exposition of the federal project "Wives of Heroes" — a thematic photo exposition showcasing the wives of participants in the Special Military Operation wearing their husbands' uniforms. After the screening, attendees learned about the making of the large-scale film project "Aldan" by participating in a public discussion.

The film "Aldan" will become the first feature film about the SMO to be widely released in theaters. The premiere is scheduled for February 2025, and part of the proceeds will be directed toward supporting participants of the SMO and funding new film projects.

The National Centre RUSSIA was established by order of the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, to preserve the legacy of the International RUSSIA EXPO and to showcase the achievements of the country and its citizens on a permanent basis. Federal government agencies, state companies, corporations, and regions take part in the Centre’s work.

The National Centre RUSSIA is located at 14 Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment, Moscow. The Centre is open from 10:00 to 20:00 every day except Monday.