New Film About Legendary Russian Bard Vysotsky Debuts in Kazan

Director Anatoly Balchev's 'Vysotsky. Unknown Pages' blends fact and fiction to explore the life of the iconic singer-songwriter.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A new film about the life of legendary Russian bard Vladimir Vysotsky has been presented by screenwriter and director Anatoly Balchev. The film 'Vysotsky. Unknown Pages' (18+) uses a patchwork structure to visualize various episodes from Vysotsky's life, including his meetings with figures like Nikita Khrushchev and Andrei Tarkovsky. Balchev, who was friends with Vysotsky in the 1970s, blends documentary and fictionalized elements to shed new light on the iconic singer-songwriter's life and legacy.

Why it matters

Vysotsky remains one of the most revered and influential figures in Russian culture, but many aspects of his life and career continue to be debated. Balchev's film aims to uncover 'unknown pages' about Vysotsky through a unique investigative approach that combines fact and fiction, providing a fresh perspective on this legendary artist.

The details

The film includes dramatized scenes of Vysotsky receiving a fee and being given a 'dedication bath' by friends, as well as an encounter with Nikita Khrushchev's granddaughter at the former leader's dacha. Another vivid episode depicts Vysotsky and his translator David Karapetyan getting into an accident and encountering local hooligans while on a trip to Huliaipole, the hometown of Nestor Makhno. The film also incorporates footage from Vysotsky's appearances in well-known films like 'The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed' and 'Little Tragedies.'

  • The film 'Vysotsky. Unknown Pages' (18+) was presented in Kazan in 2026.
  • Balchev's previous film 'Unknown Pages. The Odessa Notebook' (18+) was shown in Kazan in 2021.
  • Balchev began working on the new film about Vysotsky back in 2019.

The players

Anatoly Balchev

The screenwriter and director of 'Vysotsky. Unknown Pages' who was friends with Vysotsky in the 1970s. Balchev began his career as a musician and has also worked as a theater director and playwright.

Vladimir Vysotsky

The iconic Russian bard, actor, and poet whose life and work are the focus of Balchev's new film.

Nikita Khrushchev

The former Soviet leader who is depicted in a scene in Balchev's film where Vysotsky performs for him at his dacha.

Andrei Tarkovsky

The renowned Russian filmmaker who is shown joking with Vysotsky in one of the dramatized scenes in the film.

David Karapetyan

Vysotsky's translator who accompanied him on a trip to Huliaipole, the hometown of Nestor Makhno, which is depicted in the film.

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What they’re saying

“Vysotsky's short life path is still a subject of discussions and debates. Our film is an investigation; we will try to answer the question: can young actors even come a little closer to the image of Vladimir Vysotsky?”

— Anatoly Balchev, Director (realnoevremya.com)

What’s next

Balchev is currently working on a third film about Vysotsky that will particularly focus on young people singing the poet's songs.

The takeaway

Balchev's innovative approach of blending fact and fiction in 'Vysotsky. Unknown Pages' provides a fresh and compelling exploration of the life and legacy of one of Russia's most iconic cultural figures, shedding new light on the 'unknown pages' of Vysotsky's remarkable story.