Despite the fact that this was the highest grossing Russian movie of 2014, it did not get a cinematic release in most other countries. A lawsuit between two of the film's production companies over budget issues caused a significant production delay, after which, a distribution deal for the international market was cancelled. As a result, the movie was released direct-to-DVD in many big markets such as the U.S. and the U.K.
An adaptation of Nikolay Gogol's popular 1835 short story about the demon Viy, whose gaze was deadly if met eye-to-eye. It was originally scheduled to be released in 2009 to coincide with the 200th Anniversary of Gogol's birth.
Production lasted for seven years.
Final film of Nina Ruslanova.