From Russia with love

Sergei Bagirov, a producer of Carusa, shares an interesting behind-the-scenes story with China Daily about how the crew used a trick to get the dog "actor" to perform.

"When we needed the dog to pick up a piece of meat, we froze it first so it had no smell. That way, the dog would fetch it tamely," he says with a big smile.

Bagirov also reflects on his decades-long connection with China. His first trip was to Shanghai some 30 years ago, while producing an espionage series for Russian television.

"Since then, I have visited China many times and have always been welcomed warmly. I've also had the opportunity to delve deeper into Chinese culture and the film industry. Today, the cinematography techniques of Chinese filmmakers are far more advanced than they were decades ago," Bagirov says.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, a milestone that has intensified Russian cinema's focus on war stories. Bagirov notes that the popularity of war films has surged, fueled by audiences' desire to revisit and reflect on pivotal moments of history. "It is a chapter of history that deserves to be retold and respected on the silver screen," he says. "It's also a crucial theme for filmmakers to engage with."