The film was shot in Novomichurinsk and its surroundings in the Ryazan region of Russia. These locations were chosen by director Yuri Bykov, who was born and grew up in a similar typical town, allowing him to create a realistic atmosphere of provincial Russia. Among the filming locations are panel five-story buildings and the Ryazan State District Power Plant, which symbolize the everyday life of the Russian provinces. Bykov chose these places to show life beyond Moscow streets, emphasizing the harshness and ordinariness of provincial life. Filming in Novomichurinsk helped create an authentic setting that matches the film's themes — corruption and social tension.

Filming Locations:

House of the Head of the District Police Department Pankratov

In the Movie

Scene where Sobolev and Kroshunov come to the head of the district police department Pankratov, who is interested in closing the case of the tragic incident. The head of the department wants to protect Sobolev from punishment to preserve the reputation of his unit and avoid inspections "from above" that could expose their corruption schemes. The tension in the scene is caused by Sobolev's internal conflict, as he realizes his guilt and struggles with moral principles. However, he also understands that resisting the system could lead to serious consequences for him and his family. The scene is filled with dialogues that highlight the corruption of the system and the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. The head of the department and his colleagues use every possible method to convince Sobolev that covering up the case is the best outcome for everyone. This creates a contrast between Sobolev's personal feelings and the indifference of a system ready to sacrifice the truth to maintain its influence.

In Reality

The scene was filmed in an expensive country house, which is ideal for the episode where an attempt is made to cover up the tragic incident. This large brown brick mansion symbolizes the status and power of the chief in a provincial town. The choice of this location emphasizes the contrast between the chief's luxury and the harsh reality of provincial life, where corruption and lawlessness are common. The house creates an atmosphere of isolation and security, which is important for the scene where the chief and his colleagues discuss how to hide the truth. This choice adds realism and authenticity to the film, making the scene more convincing and resonant with the viewer. The house of the head of the district police department becomes a visual symbol of corruption and inequality before the law, which is a central theme of the film.

Police Station

In the Movie

Scene where Major Sergei Sobolev comes to the station after the tragic incident with the boy. The atmosphere in the station is depressed and tense — police officers discuss what happened, but instead of showing sympathy, they begin to think about how to cover up the case and avoid consequences. Sobolev is in a state of internal conflict: he realizes his guilt and tries to find the right solution, but pressure from colleagues and the system makes him feel isolated. Meanwhile, his colleagues discuss how to use connections and influence to hide the truth about the incident.

In Reality

The scene was filmed The police station chosen for filming is ideal for conveying the atmosphere of corruption and hopelessness. It is a typical provincial station that reflects the reality of many Russian cities, where the law enforcement system often finds itself at the center of scandals and falsifications. Filming in such a location allows creating a contrast between the inner experiences of the main character, Major Sobolev, and the indifference of his colleagues. The station serves as a symbol of a system that protects its own, ignoring human lives. The choice of this location emphasizes the film's themes — moral choice and the consequences of corruption, making the scene more convincing and resonant with the viewer.

Gutorova's House

In the Movie

Scene where At Gutorova's house in the film is key to understanding the development of the plot and the motives of the main character, Major Sergei Sobolev. After Sobolev slips away from the supervision of his colleagues, he decides to go save Gutorova, the mother of the deceased boy, who is to be eliminated so that she does not become a witness in the corruption case. Sobolev gets Gutorova's address — Energetikov 41, apartment 84 — and heads there to protect her from those who want to silence her. This scene is filled with tension and a sense of urgency, as Sobolev realizes that Gutorova's life is in danger because of his own actions and the corruption in the system.

In Reality

The scene was filmed near Gutorova's house in the film was chosen to create a realistic setting of a provincial town. Although in the film the address is given as Energetikov 41, apartment 84, in reality the scene was filmed near Energetikov Street, but the actual address of the building where the action takes place is Komsomolskaya Street, 12. The use of real filming locations adds authenticity to the film and makes the scene more convincing.