Filming for the new fairytale movie Sleeping Beauty has taken place among the Romantsevskiye Gory hills of Konduki in Tula Region. The regional Ministry of Culture reported that the storyline moves away from the classic version written by Charles Perrault. The creators noted that original characters will appear in the story and come to life on screen using CGI.
The plot centers on Princess Lyubava, who meets a young man named Ivan who captivates her with his charm. Their peaceful life is disrupted when the dangerous Shamakhan Queen appears, using a magic mirror to preserve her beauty while refusing to tolerate rivals. After Lyubava mysteriously vanishes, Ivan embarks on a journey into a dream world where the heroes face their fears to save their love.
Director influences and cast
Director Anario Mamedov said he had long wanted to adapt a fairytale because it is one of his favorite genres. Mamedov said he drew inspiration from Russian classic directors Aleksandr Ptushko, Aleksandr Rou, and Leonid Nechayev, alongside Disney films and works by Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro. The movie stars Nastasya Samburskaya, Yury Kolokolnikov, Aleksey Onezhen, and Vitaliya Korniyenko in lead roles.
Former mining location
The production chose Romantsevskiye Gory for its unique technogenic landscape created by former open-pit brown coal mining. The territory features rock terraces, waste heaps, and lakes filled with bright turquoise water. Film creators used the location to represent a magical world where reality intertwines with dreams and mysterious creatures.
