View source for The Russian Bride

{{Infobox film
| name = The Russian Bride
| image = The-russian-bride-poster-500x750.jpg
| image_width       = 
| caption           = ''movie poster''
| director          = [[Michael S. Ojeda]]
| producer          = [[Philip J. Day]], [[Jeff Miller]], Stephen Gregory Curtis, Jason Gurvitz, [[Guido den Broeder]], Gregory O'Gallagher, [[Kimberley T. Zulkowski]], Henri Penzi
| writer            = Michael S. Ojeda
| screenplay        = 
| story             = 
| based on          = 
| starring          = [[Corbin Bernsen]], [[Kristina Pimenova]], [[Oksana Orlan]]
| narrator          = 
| music             = [[César Benito]], [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy]]
| cinematography    = Jim Orr
| editing           = 
| studio            = 
| company           = [http://www.reigningent.com Reigning Entertainment]<br>Millman Productions<br>Edge West Productions<br>MzK!M Productions<br>Paraduin Productions<br>Pay It Forward Entertainment
| distributor       = 
| released          = 
| runtime           = 100 minutes<ref name=Cinepocalypse/>
| country           = United States<ref name=Reigningent/>
| language          = English
| budget            = 
| gross             = 
| website           = http://www.reigningent.com/the-russian-bride/
| trailer           = https://vimeo.com/240753161/ 
| imdb              = 6214468
}}
'''''The Russian Bride''''' is an American [[Horror film|horror]] [[Thriller film|thriller]] [[Film|motion picture]] written and directed by [[Michael S. Ojeda]], starring [[Corbin Bernsen]], [[Kristina Pimenova]] and [[Oksana Orlan]].<ref name=Reigningent>[http://www.reigningent.com/the-russian-bride "The Russian Bride"], Reigning Entertainment (retrieved 20170114)</ref><ref name=Deadline>Amanda N'Duka, [http://deadline.com/2017/02/corbin-bernsen-the-russian-bride-movie-1201940317 "Corbin Bernsen To Star In Indie Thriller 'The Russian Bride'"], 22 February 2017, Deadline Hollywood</ref> Producers include [[Jeff Miller (film producer)|Jeff Miller]] and [[Philip J Day]].<ref name=Deadline />

[[Principal photography]] on location in [[Lake Orion]], [[Michigan]] occurred in March 2017. [[Post-production]] was entered in May<ref>Ogidius, [http://www.paraduin.nl/2017/07/14/the-russian-bride-is-going-to-be-epic/ "The Russian Bride is going to be epic"], Paraduin Nieuws, 14 July 2017</ref> and completed in December, following the release of the official trailer. After [[Film screening|market screenings]] in [[Berlin International Film Festival|Berlin]] and [[Cannes Film Festival|Cannes]], ''The Russian Bride'' had it's [[world premiere]] 26 June 2018 at the [[Cinepocalypse]] [[genre]] [[film festival]] in [[Chicago]].<ref name=Cinepocalypse>Cinepocalypse 2018, Music Box Theatre, Chicago (retrieved 20180707)</ref>

==Plot==
Karl Frederick, an American billionaire living in a mansion outside [[Detroit]], browses the internet for a new bride. He finds Nina, a beautiful Russian woman, and invites her and her 11-year old daughter Dasha to come to America.

After the marriage, it transpires that Karl has sinister plans with Dasha. In a haunted house,<ref>Frank Mulder, [https://denachtvlinders.nl/2017/trailer-the-russian-bride/ "'Kill Me And Eat Me' – Trailer The Russian Bride"] (in Dutch), De Nachtvlinders, 6 December 2017</ref> Nina has to fight for her daughter's life.<ref name=Reigningent /><ref name=Deadline /><ref name=Indiegogo>[https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-russian-bride-girl-power-suspense-thriller/x/15921819/ "The Russian Bride - girl power, suspense thriller"], Indiegogo (retrieved 20170130)</ref>

==Theme==
The film exposes the dark side of the [[internet bride]] phenomenon,<ref name=DreadCentral2>Jonathan Barkan, [https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/219696/filming-begins-russian-bride-weve-got-exclusive-photos/ "Filming Begins on The Russian Bride and We’ve Got Exclusive Photos"], Dread Central, 22 March 2017</ref> considered a resource to 'the most desperate, lonely people'.<ref name=PopHorror>Tracy Allen, [https://www.pophorror.com/mother-daughter-survival-thriller-the-russian-bride-gets-a-trailer/ "Mother/daughter survival thriller 'The Russian Bride' gets a trailer"], PopHorror, 4 December 2017</ref>
 
::''Every year, men entice Internet brides to a foreign land, only to treat their new wives as slaves. Behind tightly closed doors, neighbors, and even police, often ignore their cries for help. It’s a huge problem that needs light to be focused on to it.''<ref>Stacy Cox, [http://decaymag.com/2017/01/26/russian-bride-crowdfunding-campaign/ "Russian Bride; Indie Thriller Mirrors Reality - Crowdfunding"], Decay Magazine, 26 January 2017</ref>

::''Like the best exploitation films of forty-five years ago, Ojeda, whether intentionally or unintentionally, taps into relevant social commentary. In this case, it’s the immigrant’s experience in America, a country built on the very concept of open arms as long as you know your place and don’t get ahead of those who inherently deserve it for one reason or another.''<ref name=FilmThreat/>

In response, The Russian Bride promotes the [[Women's empowerment|empowerment of women]] ([[girl power]]).<ref name=Indiegogo />

According to one reporter, the script may have been inspired by the candidacy of newly elected [[President of the United States|US president]] billionaire [[Donald Trump]].<ref>David Gelmini, [http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/207607/michael-s-ojedas-russian-bride-comes-indiegogo/ "Michael S. Ojeda’s The Russian Bride Comes to Indiegogo"], Dread Central, 23 January 2017</ref>

==Production==
''The Russian Bride'' is a [[low-budget film]] by [[independent film]] company Reigning Entertainment.<ref name=Reigningent /><ref name=Indiegogo /> A [[limited liability company]] was set up in [[Michigan]] to facilitate its production.<ref>[http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/dt_llc.asp?id_nbr=F06707 "The Russian Bride Movie LLC"], Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (retrieved 20170228)</ref> Most of the film's budget has been funded by private investors.<ref name=newsletter />

The film counts a number of [[Film producer|producers]] and [[executive producer]]s, none associated with larger [[film studio]]s.<ref name=Reigningent /> Ojeda has teamed up with Day ([[The Amityville Terror]]), Gurvitz ([[Avenged (2013 U.S. film)|Avenged]]), Curtis and Zulkowski ([[53206: Milwaukee]]) before. Miller wrote and produced [[The Burning Dead]]. One of the executive producers is [[Wikisage]] owner Guido den Broeder, making the movie an international co-production.

[[File:20170313_165526_TheRussianBride_768x1024.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Director Michael S. Ojeda with actresses Oksana Orlan (Nina) and Kristina Pimenova (Dasha)]]
[[File:20170316 171306 TheRussianBride 768x1024.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Corbin Bernsen as billionaire Karl Frederick]]

===Casting===
The film features [[child model]] Kristina Pimenova in her first lead role as Dasha.<ref name=Deadline /> Oksana Orlan, Ojeda's award-winning star in [[Lana's Rain]], plays Nina, the bride. Corbin Bernsen, known for his role as Arnold Becker in [[L.A. Law]], is billionaire Karl Frederick.<ref name=Reigningent />

Pimenova declared her continued desire to become a professional actress in an interview for Posh Kids Magazine.<ref>Anny Mejia, [http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/1199837?__r=640057 "Kristina Pimenova, The Humble Little Supermodel"], Posh Kids Magazine, 27 November 2016</ref> Director Michael Ojeda, in the teaser trailer's [[press release]]:

::''Kristina Pimenova is a talented and beautiful young model, and with the support of fans we hope this movie is the stepping stone to a huge career as an actress.''<ref>Chris Savage, [http://www.horror-movies.ca/2017/01/early-details-jeff-millers-russian-bride/ "The Russian Bride"], Horror Movies CA, 18 January 2017</ref>

And upon the release of the official movie trailer:

::''With over 6 million social media followers, many fans will see the future star in her first major acting role.''<ref>Kelli Marchman McNeely, [http://horrorfuel.com/2017/12/04/mother-gets-bloody-save-daughter-supernatural-thriller-russian-bride/ "A Mother Gets Bloody In The Supernatural Thriller 'The Russian Bride'"], Horror Fuel, 4 December 2017</ref>

[[Supporting role|Supporting characters]] include Karl's maid Maria, his driver Hagen, and uncle Yuri.<ref name=Backstage>[https://www.backstage.com/casting/the-russian-bride-151389/ "The Russian Bride"], Backstage (retrieved 20170228)</ref> The teaser trailer shows [[cameo appearance]]s by producer Jeff Miller (clergyman) and Kristina's mother Glikeriya Pimenova (bride picture).<ref name=Reigningent />

==== Cast overview ====
* [[Corbin Bernsen]] as Karl Frederick
* [[Oksana Orlan]] as Nina
* [[Kristina Pimenova]] as Dasha
* Ken Beaudin as Doctor and Priest
* Michael Robert Brandon as Hagen
* John Paul Brandt as Cranston
* Guido den Broeder as Doctor
* Blake Brown as Tyler
* Lisa Goodman as Maria
* Natasha Goubskaya as Anya
* Keenan Johnston as Buchanan
* Alison Korman as Olga
* Maryanne Nagel as Cousin Blanche
* Justin Nelson as Relative
* Gregory O'Gallagher as Keller
* Yefim Somin as Uncle Yuri
* Nica Sorokine as Mean Girl
* Emmanuel Todorov - Anatoli
* Clement Valentine as The Surgeon
* Lyudmila Velikaya as Nina's Mother
* Yuliya Zelenskaya as Lucia
* Zeus as Reign

===Filming===
Most of the film has been shot at the historic [[Scripps Mansion]] in [[Lake Orion, Michigan]].<ref name=Backstage /> The [[Tudor Revival architecture|Tudor-style]] location increases the movie's production value, according to director Ojeda.<ref name=DreadCentral2 />

Principal [[Filmmaking|production]] of ''The Russian Bride'' took place in March 2017.<ref name=newsletter>The Russian Bride official newsletter, 9 February 2017</ref><ref name=Paraduin>Ogidius, [http://www.paraduin.nl/2017/03/01/filming-the-russian-bride-to-take-place-march/ "Filming of The Russian Bride to take place in March"], Paraduin Nieuws, 1 March 2017</ref><ref name=DreadCentral2 /><ref>Brad Miska, [http://bloody-disgusting.com/indie/3429201/avenged-director-battles-russian-bride/ "‘Avenged’ Director Battles ‘The Russian Bride’!!"], Bloody Disgusting, 22 March 2017</ref>

===Music===
The [[soundstrack]] of the movie contains compositions by [[John Murphy (composer)|John Murphy's]] album ''Anonymous Rejected''. It was this compilation of unused scores that inspired Ojeda to write and direct ''The Russian Bride''.<ref name=horrormovies>Chris Savage, [http://www.horror-movies.ca/2018/03/new-official-artwork-arrived-russian-bride/ "New official Artwork has arrived for 'The Russian Bride'"], Horror Movies CA, 7 March 2018</ref>

===Marketing===
[[Pre-production]] saw the release of a 3-minute promotional trailer on January 18, 2017.<ref name=Reigningent /> This was followed by a [[crowdfunding]] action for additional financial support. Donations amounted to over $15,000 in exchange for a variety of perks.<ref name=Indiegogo />

The teaser trailer, frequently shared and watched on [[social media]], brought additional investors to the film.<ref name=Paraduin />

==Release==
An official movie trailer was released 3 December 2017. One journalist called the film one of the most anticipated movies for 2018, stressing that director Ojeda has the full support of the producers.<ref>Bob Rock, [http://www.almasoscuras.com/the-russian-bride "The Russian Bride. Nupcias infernales"] (in Spanish) (''"The Russian Bride. Hellish nuptials"''), Almas Oscuras, 8 December 2017</ref>

In 2018, sales agent [[VMI Worldwide]]<ref name=vmiworldwide>[http://vmiworldwide.com/index.php/titles/detail?id=7e5ba224-970b-e811-948d-0e563b5fb261 "The Russian Bride"], VMI Worldwide (retrieved 20180707)</ref> presented ''The Russian Bride'' at the [[film market]]s of Berlin<ref>Brad Miska, [http://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3483676/russian-bride-slashes-efm-images/ "The Russian Bride Slashes Into the EFM"], Bloody Disgusting, 18 February 2018</ref><ref name=horrormovies/> and Cannes.<ref name=FilmThreat>Chuck Foster, [http://filmthreat.com/reviews/the-russian-bride/ "The Russian Bride"], Film Threat, 11 May 2018</ref> The movie had its public opening night 26 June 2018 at the [[Music Box Theatre (Chicago)|Music Box Theatre]] in Chicago, as part of the Cinepocalypse film festival. Orlan, Ojeda, and various other cast and crew members attended.

A theatrical release date has not yet been set. The crowdfunding page also indicates a release on DVD.<ref name=Indiegogo />

==External links==
* [http://www.reigningent.com/the-russian-bride Official website]
* {{Facebook|therussianbride|The Russian Bride}}
* {{IMDb title|6214468}}
* {{Vimeo|id=198493567|title=The Russian Bride - Teaser Trailer}}
* {{Vimeo|id=240753161|title=The Russian Bride - Official Movie Trailer}}

{{refs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:The Russian Bride}}
[[Category:Upcoming film]]
[[Category:English-language film]]
[[Category:2017 horror film]]
[[Category:2010s horror thriller film]]
[[Category:American horror thriller film]]
[[Category:Film set in Michigan]]
[[Category:Film shot in Michigan]]