The long-awaited thriller about the journey from Baikonur to the ISS modules has finally arrived with a premiere at Cannes International Series Festival. The show was filmed for four months in various sets including Kazakhstan. Viewers all over the world will be able to admire the scenic sites of Charyn, Priozersk, and Kapshagay.
Synopsis
A decapitated body, covered in wax, is found on a roof in Kazakhstan. It is identified, with a DNA test, as that of Anthony Kurz, an American astronaut. But the latter is theoretically on a mission in the ISS, the International Space Station, whose crew is in distress. Isaac (Daniyar Alshinov), a Kazakh cop, a broken man with unorthodox practices, leads the investigation, soon joined by a French astronaut and Anthony's girlfriend, Anna (played by Céline Sallette), who has been sidelined from the space program.
The rivalries between nations within the Baikonur cosmodrome, whose scientific community is living its last hours, are somewhat reminiscent of the present day - especially since Infiniti was partly made in Ukraine, the filming location. The coldness of its post-Soviet retrofuturistic setting, reminiscent of Chernobyl, contrasts with the immensity of the steppes bathed in light and the harshness of everyday Kazakh life.
True Detective in Kazakhstan with a touch of Interstellar.
Kazakhstan as a filming location
The series stars French actress Celine Sallet and the Kazakh actor Daniyar Alshinov. Additional cast members include the winner of the Cannes Film Festival Samal Slyamova, as well as Russian, British and Italian actors. The six-part film was directed by Thierry Poirot, known for his works "The Dead Zone" and "Goal of the Living Dead".
In a recent interview, Poirot was asked where the inspiration for the show came from and why he chose Kazakhstan as the setting for the film.
"I've always been attracted to space, so I decided to do a little research on the subject. I began to learn more about the Baikonur Cosmodrome and couldn't help but become more familiar with the culture and traditions of Kazakhstan. I was interested in trying to combine these two in a project, to combine the spiritual with the high-tech. And in the very process of filming, I kept going deeper and deeper into the culture, often talking to the actors and always learning something new and exciting."
"Some of my favorite scenes to shoot, and I'm not just saying that because I'm here, were the nature scenes in Kazakhstan. Since the series is about space, we filmed many scenes in and around Baikonur. The Kazakh steppe represented great footage for the film. I really enjoyed shooting the gorgeous natural scenery here and getting to know the country."
Besides Kazakhstan, the film crew shot scenes in France and Ukraine. The Baikonyr cosmodrome in the show is a set built in Almaty since Russian authorities denied permission to shoot at the actual site.
The first episode was released for viewing on the official website of Canal Plus.