MOSCOW, April 11. /TASS/. Roscosmos cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov had to take a leave of absence to play a role in a film, he said in an interview with TASS ahead of the film’s release.
The film, whose title can roughly be translated as Challenge, was partially shot onboard the International Space Station, and partially on Earth. While the cosmonaut’s acting in outer space was part of his job, that arrangement didn’t work once he left orbit.
"We were on duty in space, but here on Earth we were given a leave of absence to complete shooting for the film. They said: ‘We can’t pay you twice,’" Shkaplerov said.
The cosmonaut said the film features many employees from the Cosmonaut Training Center.
"Of course, debutants won’t be paid hundreds of thousands of rubles for a day of shooting like the more acclaimed actors. But we were not there for the money. We were all curious. What can I say? I don’t think we will get a second chance. Half of the staff at the Cosmonaut Training Center appeared in the Challenge film. Klim promised everyone who was interested: You’ll be in the film, even if only for 30 seconds. People came and he found them roles," Shkaplerov said.
The Challenge, or Vyzov in Russian, is the first feature film to be partially shot onboard the International Space Station.