On May 16, 2025, the 78th Cannes International Film Festival will host the premiere of “Vysotsky. Unknown… A True Story” — a new film directed by Anatoly Balchev and produced by Apollo Film Production. The screening is scheduled for 17:45 at the Cinema Hall Arcades, offering festival guests an intimate and unprecedented look at the life of Vladimir Vysotsky.
Anatoly Balchev, a filmmaker, composer, writer, and longtime associate of Vysotsky since 1974, brings a personal and deeply emotional vision to the screen. Rather than presenting yet another official biography or myth, Balchev draws from rare archival footage, private collections, and firsthand accounts to construct a vivid, human portrait of Vysotsky — one that reveals him as a man of extraordinary brilliance, deep exhaustion, unwavering fearlessness, and touching vulnerability.
The film is created with the support of SGS Studio (Dubai), a company renowned for its innovative approach at the crossroads of cinema, music, digital performance, and immersive technology. Their collaboration has brought a fresh, modern dimension to the project, enriching its artistic texture. 
“Vysotsky. Unknown… A True Story” features appearances by those who knew Vysotsky personally, including Marina Vlady, Lyudmila Abramova, Vsevolod Abdulov, Mikhail Shemyakin, Vadim Tumanov, Bella Akhmadulina, Bulat Okudzhava, Evgeny Tkachuk, Vasily Mishchenko, among others — adding authenticity and emotional resonance to the narrative.
Leading the film’s European promotion is Anna Shtukkert, a representative of Apollo Film Production and a curator of cultural projects on the international stage. Her efforts ensure that the project reaches a global audience eager for authentic and daring stories.
Meanwhile, SGS Studio continues to push creative boundaries. In 2025, they are set to present “Entropy: Requiem of Water”, a large-scale digital performance based on the music of Klaus Schulze, utilizing technologies like Unreal Engine and motion capture. Their previous works include the acclaimed multimedia piece “The History of the Tragic Century in the Rhymes of Vladimir Vysotsky,” an audiovisual exploration of 20th-century history through the Poet’s verses.
“Vysotsky. Unknown… A True Story” is a film that may challenge the expectations of those familiar only with official versions of Vysotsky’s life. It’s a story about a real man, not a polished symbol — and it’s precisely such courageous, honest works that capture the hearts of Cannes audiences.
Apollo Film Production, together with IFREE Studio, also announces its next project: “Vysotsky. ‘They Will Not Erect a Monument to Me in the Park…'” — a continuation of their exploration into the legacy of the Poet whose voice continues to inspire generations.
