The historical feature film Hunting the Emperor began screening in cinemas across Russian cities on September 10.
The motion picture, directed by Alexey Pimanov, represents his final work as a film director. Audiences in cities throughout the country can now view the release.
Set during the French invasion of Russia, the story follows Emperor Napoleon as he occupies the Kremlin after capturing a deserted Moscow. He is accompanied by his loyal general, Michel Clement, a descendant of a Russian boyar who joined the French campaign believing Napoleon's cause was just.
The historical occupation of Moscow took place in 1812 during Napoleon's Russian campaign. Moscow was largely evacuated before French forces entered, and the Kremlin served as the historic fortified seat of power in Russia. Boyars were high-ranking members of the traditional feudal nobility in medieval and early modern Russia.
Assassination plot at the Kremlin
As Napoleon settles into the Kremlin, dramatic threats emerge from within the occupied city. Monks at the Chudov Monastery plot an assassination attempt against the emperor.
At the same time, a young noblewoman named Maria attempts to shoot Napoleon in a personal quest to avenge her brother, who was killed during the conflict.
Chudov Monastery was a historic Eastern Orthodox monastery located inside the Moscow Kremlin. Founded in the fourteenth century, it stood as one of Russia's major religious sites for centuries before its demolition in the early Soviet era.
Cast and directorial credits
The film features an ensemble cast led by Ivan Shibanov, Stanislav Bondarenko, Alexey Chadov, and Milana Bru.
Shibanov previously starred in the project Radar, while Bondarenko appeared in Unloved. Chadov is known for his role in (Un)Artificial Intelligence, and Bru starred in I Take a Step.
Director Alexey Pimanov, whose earlier directorial work includes the movie Man in My Head, finishes his career as a feature filmmaker with this project.
