In Minsk, director Dmitry Soroka is shooting his sports film (working title: Turning Point), telling the inspirational story of a young rower battling adversity. BelTA journalists went to the Chizhovskoye water reservoir to observe the filmmaking process.
Dmitry Soroka chose to make a film about competitive rowing because the sport is deeply personal to him. A former rower himself, with a second-tier adult ranking, he aims to portray every aspect of the sport authentically. Dmitry Soroka believes the film will not only introduce audiences to rowing’s technical side and training rigors but also reveal its romantic allure.
“It’s about a teenager devoted to rowing who hits major setbacks - a broken leg, expulsion from his school team. The film’s message is that no situation is beyond repair,” Dmitry Soroka said.
He emphasized the team's goal to create a film that speaks to today's youth. “Teenagers today face constant visibility - their lives play out on social media, and their failures become public. In many ways, this makes their struggles harder than previous generations’,” he said.
The film is a fully Belarusian production, featuring emerging talent. Young graduates of the Academy of Arts are gaining hands-on experience as part of the studio's initiative to nurture new filmmakers. Meanwhile, experienced specialists, including the cinematographer and lighting designers, ensure technical excellence.
“Since we cast only Belarusian actors, we faced some restrictions. The actors, none of whom were athletes, had to spend months training in rowing. They committed to rigorous practice, and some even fell in love with the sport. The Belarusian Rowing Federation assisted with coaching, and we worked extensively with younger cast members on dialogue preparation. The biggest challenge is to keep them motivated,” Dmitry Soroka explained.
Fifteen-year-old Mikhail Tsuba, who plays the lead role, feels no pre-shoot jitters thanks to his extensive experience in films and TV series since childhood, including sports-themed projects like the Russian movie Fedya: The People's Footballer. “I trained for a month and a half in rowing before filming. I loved it so much that I will resume practice in September,” the young actor said.
He considers rowing a demanding sport requiring exceptional stamina but feels fully prepared and confident in his performance.
Sofia Taryanik, the film’s recently appointed planning director, graduated from the Academy of Arts and jumped straight into feature film production after working solely on documentary dramas. “I coordinate all departments -art, acting, makeup, cinematography - overseeing on-set readiness and timing. I also contributed to script development and casting. No major hurdles, just pure curiosity. This massive learning experience will sharpen my skills and build confidence,” Sofia Taryanik said.
Anastasiya Shvarova, the production manager, said that shooting began on 25 July in the village of Kiyevets, Volozhin District, and is set to wrap on 9 September. “While Minsk was flooding, we didn’t get a single drop of rain. Of course, we occasionally adjust for weather delays, shifting shoots by an hour or two, but overall, we’re keeping pace,” Anastasiya Shvarova explained.
Key filming locations include the Chizhovskoye water reservoir, the rowing canal in Zaslavl, an aquatic clinic, the Vileyka water reservoir, and Minskoye More (Minsk Sea). The crew remains highly motivated and adaptable, even under demanding conditions.
“The film’s core message is about perseverance, believing in yourself, pushing forward, and never giving up. We aim to release the premiere this year and hope it resonates deeply with audiences,” Anastasiya Shvarova concluded.
Photos by Sergei Sheleg
BelTA
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