Director Ilya Malanin's new Russian adventure film Battle of Motors has been sold for theatrical distribution across every country in Latin America as well as multiple European nations.
Film producer Pyotr Anurov revealed the international distribution deals during an interview with the TASS news agency. He confirmed that contracts have already been signed for all Latin American territories alongside seven to eight countries in Europe, while talks with distributors in other states are currently ongoing.
Anurov expressed optimism that the feature will resonate with cinema audiences around the world. He pointed out that the Monte Carlo motor race featured in the plot enjoys global fame, while the movie benefits from lead performances by high-profile stars Ivan Yankovsky and Yura Borisov.
The Monte Carlo Rally is one of the most famous endurance racing events in the world, taking place in the Principality of Monaco on the French Riviera. Lead actor Yura Borisov has earned widespread international acclaim for his film roles, while co-star Ivan Yankovsky is one of the most prominent leading men in contemporary Russian cinema.
Historic Rally from Saint Petersburg to Monaco
The plot of Battle of Motors centers on the real-life accomplishments of car enthusiast Andrey Nagel and engineer Dmitry Bondarev. Set between 1911 and 1912, the story follows the pair as they undertake an extraordinary road trip from Saint Petersburg to Monaco, traveling in a classic Russo-Balt motorcar and ultimately finishing first in the demanding race.
At the time of the historic race, Saint Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire and a major center of early industrial innovation. The vehicle driven by Nagel and Bondarev was manufactured by Russo-Balt, an early twentieth-century automobile manufacturer known for producing pioneering Russian motor vehicles and luxury carriages.
Russian moviegoers will be the first to see the picture when Battle of Motors arrives in cinemas nationwide on October 8. Producers expect the mixture of historical motor racing, vintage cars, and major Russian acting talent to drive strong box office performance ahead of its international theatrical rollout.
