Russian Defence Ministry to advise on Kursk submarine disaster movie

Russia’s Ministry of Defence is set to cooperate with and provide advice to acclaimed French producer Luc Besson on his upcoming film Kursk.

Directed by Danish director Thomas Vinterberg, the film will centre on the K-141 Kursk submarine disaster that occurred in 2000.

“We will work on this film together,” said Anton Gubankov, head of the Russian Defence Ministry’s cultural directorate, in an interview with radio station Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow).

According to Mr Gubankov, the ministry will provide advice to improve the film’s realism and avoid portraying stereotypes, but will not give financial assistance.

“Generally, in my experience, foreign filmmakers are very loyal to this, they ask us where the stars are on epaulets, can a sailor crawl on a submarine in parade uniform, [...] and many other nuances,” Mr Gubanov stated.

A French crew is due to travel to Russia shortly to scout for possible shooting locations.

The nuclear-powered submarine Kursk sank on 12 August 2000 during a naval exercise in the Barents Sea, claiming the lives of all 118 crew onboard.

Source: Hollywood Reporter and Sputnik