In 2025 the historical film ‘Birth of an Empire’ will be released. It is being produced by the studio “TRI TE” (Creativity, Partnership, Labour)’ of the Soviet and Russian film director, People's Artist of the RSFSR Nikita Mikhalkov.

The film is directed by Andrey Kravchuk, known for such films as ‘Admiral’, ‘Viking’ and ‘Salvation Union’.

The film stars Alexander Gorbatov, Milosh Bikovich, Alexey Guskov, Yuliya Peresild, Sergey Shakurov, Alexander Yatsko and other Russian actors familiar to filmgoers.

The picture, which has received the status of national, tells the story of Peter I, his associates and enemies, the birth of the foundations of the Russian state between 1698 and 1712 years.

The idea of creating a film based on this script was supported by the leadership of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, the Governor and the Government of the Tula region, as well as the Federal Fund for Social and Economic Support of National Cinematography.

The main parts of the film were shot in the Tula Region.

To reproduce the scale of historical events, the film makers needed a large number of physically trained extras. The government of the Tula region appealed to the management of Tula State University with a request for assistance. Rector Oleg Aleksandrovich Kravchenko did not leave the appeal without attention. During this period, young men studying at all Tula State University institutes, including cadets of the Tula Workers' Regiment Military Training Centre, were involved in the rehearsals and filming of the project.

- We were filming in Aleksinsky, Zaoksky and Novomoskovsky districts of the Tula Region. I had to be a Russian soldier, a Swedish soldier, and an Anglo-Saxon,’ says Sergey Ofitserov, a second-year student of the speciality “Ammunition and Fuzes” at the Gryazev Institute of High-Precision Systems. Sergey Ofitserov. - We started at six o'clock in the morning and finished at sunset. Brigadiers of actors of mass scenes led us. A lot of impressions. Especially remembered me people who love and know their work. I managed to get acquainted and communicate with half of the film crew and with advertising specialists. It was a good experience!

Lev Kreps, a third-year student of the ‘Hospitality’ programme at the Institute of Pedagogy, Physical Education, Sports and Tourism, tried his hand at being a soldier of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, a cannon fighter, a soldier of the Swedish army, a Swedish drummer and a servant of a foreign delegation. 

- Thanks to the friendly staff and competent friendly managers filming was easy. The order was strict: first the general assembly, followed by preparation (costume and make-up), then filming, then lunch and filming again,’ he says. - Basically, we performed three types of actions. They were running, walking and formation stance. I got used to it quickly. The main thing is to listen carefully to what you are told. In general, I liked everything. I remembered how my friends and I pushed a boat, being waist-deep in water. I met many interesting people. I am happy that I took part in the shooting of the film!

Nikita Ivershen, a first-year master's student at the Tula Engineering School ‘Intelligent Defence Systems’, admits that it was not so difficult for him to reincarnate as a soldier of the Russian army and a Swedish warrior. You just have to do what is required of you, and everything will work out. 

- I`ve got only positive impressions! - says Nikita. - It was curious to see the filming process from the inside. Of course, we remembered some moments with the main characters, action scenes and beautiful locations. Most of all we communicated with the brigadiers of the actors of mass scenes. Wonderful people! Real professionals!

According to Eduard Artemenko, a second-year student of Information Systems and Technologies at the Institute of Applied Mathematics and Computer Sciences, participation in the filming left an indelible mark on his soul. Everything struck him - the plot, the scale, and the people who make this film. 

- The tasks set before us were different. We stood guard, cooked food, trained in formation training, that is, depicted the life and life of soldiers between battles. Well, and, of course, imitated real battles, which involved a cast of about 300 people. I did not experience any particular difficulties. I just had to get into the essence of the events and get into my role,’ says Eduard. - I've never been involved in a project of this level, so it's a unique experience for me. I remember every day of filming. And communication with creative people is worth a lot! Actors, historical consultants, costumers, make-up artists, prop makers, pyrotechnicians - each of them was interesting in their own way.

Nikita Mikhalkov's TRI TE Studio expressed its sincere gratitude to Oleg Aleksandrovich Kravchenko, Rector of Tula State University, for his great personal contribution and active participation in the Birth of an Empire project, as well as gratitude for the assistance in the filming process to Eduard Sergeevich Temnov, Vice-Rector for Educational Work, Dmitry Alexandrovich Malakhov, Head of the Department of Extracurricular Activities, Alexey Vladimirovich Kabanov, Head of the Legal Department, and Alexey Sergeevich Khromov, Senior Lecturer. 

All students who took part in the filming of this feature film were also thanked for their successful cooperation.

Tatyana Krikunkova

Photographs by Ilya Khodakovskiy