04-05-2011

PRODUCTION: Slovak/Russian Baluansky in Preproduction

By Dominika Uhríková

    BRATISLAVA: Baluďanský, a Slovak-Russian full-length documentary written and directed by František Palonder (My Father Gulag), is in preproduction with filming to start in summer 2011. The production is scheduled for 50 days and shooting locations will be Saint Petersburg, Budapest, Vienna, London, Oradea (Romania), and Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), and will be released in 2012.

    The 90-minute documentary focuses on Michal Baluďanský, one of the most important Slovak figures in the history of Europe. Born in 1769, he became an eminent statesman, scientist, professor, and the first president of Saint Petersburg University. His role in 19th century Russian diplomacy and economy is widely recognised in Russia, but - according to the director - still needs an introduction to the Slovak audience.

    The co-producers of the €320,000 film are Slovakia's Trigon Production (www.trigon-production.sk) cover 65% of the budget and Russia's Lenfilm Studios (www.lenfilm.ru), covering the remaining 35%.

    "The project of Baluďanský emerged in 2007: as Slovak and Russian ministers of culture were signing an agreement on co-operation, Mr. Palonder came up with this suggestion, which immediately appealed to both sides," Iveta Pospíšilová from Trigon Production told FNE.

    She added that the film received €10,000 from the Slovak Ministry of Culture (www.culture.gov.sk) and €23,750 from the Slovak Audiovisual Fund (www.avf.sk). A contract is being signed with Slovak Television (www.stv.sk), which should contribute another €200,000.

    Contact information:

    Trigon Production, s.r.o.

    Hríbová 9

    821 05 Bratislava

    Slovakia
    Tel: +421 2 4445 8477

    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    www.trigon-production.sk

    Slovak TV

    Mlynská dolina

    845 45 Bratislava

    Slovakia

    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    www.stv.sk

    Lenfilm Studios

    Kamennoostrovsky Ave. 10

    197101 St. Petersburg

    Russia

    Tel: +7 812 32 68 224

    Fax: +7 812 23 28 881

    Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    www.lenfilm.ru