The U.S. release of “Stalingrad” this month may have the drawback of having all dialogue in Russian, but it’s the visuals that should keep moviegoers in their seats. The $30 million film is the first Russian movie filmed entirely in 3-D and the first ever from that country in the large-print IMAX format. The result is a visually stunning film – with more than a little thanks going to 3ality Technica, a Burbank 3-D software and camera manufacturer. “This is just a film where everything came together in the right way,” said company founder and Chief Executive Steve Schklair, who was the film’s 3-D producer. American moviegoers will get their looks this month at the subtitled film with a one-week limited release beginning Feb. 28. The film grossed more than $66 million last fall in Russia during a six-week theatrical run, making it the highest-grossing Russian film ever. Since its founding in 2000, 3ality Technica has spent $30 million developing rigs, a stereo image processor and software. Its cameras have been used for broadcasting live sports events and filming concerts and recent feature films, including “The Great Gatsby” and “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” Rental rates vary by the length of production and whether the contract includes training and other services. The company would not disclose fees from “Stalingrad.” The company got the contract after Schklair convinced director Fedor Bondarchuk that the film could be shot in 3-D under the same schedule as a regular film. Schklair agreed to be the 3-D producer and overseeing the training of two Russian crews. Schklair made four trips to Russia, including for a large battle scene. “This was done for a quarter of what the budget would be for a U.S. studio picture,” he said. – Mark R. Madler
The Epic Battle of ‘Stalingrad’
