On May 16, during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, a special screening — considered a premiere — was held for director Anatoly Balchev’s new film “Vysotsky. Unknown… True Stories.” The event’s guest of honor and producer was Anna Shtukkert.
The film brings together previously unreleased footage of Vladimir Vysotsky and his close circle, filmed during his lifetime by Pyotr Soldatenko, along with dramatized episodes from the life of the iconic poet and bard. Featured in the film are Marina Vlady, Mikhail Shemyakin, Vadim Tumanov, Vsevolod Abdulov, Vasily Mishchenko, Evgeny Tkachuk, and others.
In addition to officially accredited guests of the festival, the premiere was attended by many members of the first wave of Russian emigration. As expected, the screening evoked strong emotions and a deep sense of nostalgia. Some of those who had known Vysotsky personally were moved to tears. 
Before the screening, Anatoly Balchev announced the beginning of work on his next film about Vladimir Vysotsky, which will complete his trilogy. The third film, titled “Vysotsky. They Won’t Put Up a Monument to Me in the Park…”, began filming on May 9 in the town of Gorokhovets, near a monument and fountain dedicated to Vysotsky. During the event, guests were also introduced to Gio Pika, a well-known performer in the chanson-rap genre, who plays a key role in the upcoming project.
The premiere was made possible with the support of IFREE LLC, a studio specializing in the creation of high-tech digital music content.
As part of the event, IFREE LLC also announced the forthcoming release of the digital show “V. Vysotsky. Singularity”, featuring Gio Pika alongside Diana Ankudinova, Nikita Dzhigurda, Nelli Baimatova, and others. Organizers of the Cannes Film Market have expressed strong interest in the continuation of these Vysotsky-related projects, set to be released next year.
