The film is based on Arkady Gaidar's book «Chuk and Gek». In the plot, two boys and their mother travel to the taiga to visit their geologist father to celebrate New Year together as a family. For the main characters, this trip turns into a real adventure. The filming took place in February 2021 in the Perm region, specifically in the village of Ust-Koyva, on the Shumikhinsky rocks, and in the vicinity of Gubakha. The film's director, Alexander Kott, says he was captivated by the local «crystal forests»: «The temperature was minus 40, the fir trees were covered with caps of snow. Then the next day a thaw came, raindrops washed away the snow, and then froze — resulting in ringing trees.»

Filming Locations:

Geological Station

In the Movie

Scene where A man walks on skis along the edge of a snowy forest. Through the narrator's voice, we learn that he is the father of the family, a worker at a geological station. He has a lot of work, so he cannot take a vacation and go home.

In Reality

The scene was filmed near the Shumikhinsky rocks in the Perm region. There, sets of the geological station where the main characters' father worked were built. The station is surrounded by the picturesque nature of the Perm region. The rocks rise above the dense coniferous forest, creating an atmosphere of seclusion and harsh beauty that perfectly conveys the spirit of the taiga. The sets of the geological station blended organically into the natural landscape. Later, the structures were dismantled to preserve the pristine appearance of the mountains.

Taiga Station

In the Movie

Scene where Chuk and Gek and their mother arrive at the Taiga station. The stop is exactly one minute; they need to get dressed and get out in time. The taiga greets them with severe frost, snow, and a fluffy friend with hooves. The station is very deserted; a worker notes that rarely anyone visits this place.

In Reality

The scene was filmed at the old Usva station in the Perm region. The sign on the station building was changed to read «Taiga», while everything else remained in its original state. The station is built in a traditional style characteristic of railway buildings of the last century, with simple architectural forms and wooden trim. In the background, the railway track stretches into the distance, framed by dense spruces and pines, creating a sense of endless taiga.

River

In the Movie

Scene where Chuk meets a new friend — a blue bunny with a drum. The boy inserts a key into the animal's back and begins to march along with it. With a steady step, they go out onto the river, and then trouble begins — the ice cracks right next to them.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in the village of Ust-Koyva on the Chusovaya River. This is a picturesque and atmospheric location, ideal for filming, especially where the beauty of nature and a sense of remoteness from civilization are important. Ust-Koyva is a small village located among hills and dense forests of the Perm region. The Chusovaya River, flowing nearby, is one of the most famous rivers of the Urals. It is known for its steep banks, high cliffs, and winding turns.