The Challenge

"The Challenge" is a 2023 Russian drama film directed by Klim Shipenko. The plot follows surgeon Zhenya Belyaeva (Yulia Peresild), who is compelled to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) to save the life of cosmonaut Ivan (Miloš Biković), who has sustained serious injuries in space. Zhenya undergoes accelerated training for the mission, facing numerous challenges both on Earth and in orbit. Aboard the ISS, she collaborates with station commander Vladimir (Vladimir Mashkov) and other crew members, overcoming personal and professional trials to successfully perform a complex surgery in zero gravity. The film is notable for being the first in cinematic history to be partially shot in actual space aboard the ISS, adding realism and uniqueness to the narrative.