Guide to places from the TV series «Zuleikha open eyes»

13 may 2020

The novel «Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes» by Tatar writer Guzel Yakhina and the film based on this book can’t leave anyone untouched.

The route to the filming locations of the film «Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes» is an extraordinary opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of Tatar life, to see it with your own eyes and take pictures on the background of the objects participating in the filming and visit the picturesque places of the Republic of Tatarstan in the film.

Zelenodolskiy District, Polevaya St, Isakovo (Tatar Avyli)

The Tatar Yulbash village is the native village of Zuleikha where, according to the book, the novel begins. It is the place where you can feel the whole range of emotions of a day in the life of Zuleikha. The day is full of routine chores with all sorrows and sufferings of the Tatar woman’s life. The episodes of the dekulakization of Zuleikha’s family, and her husband Murtaza’s execution were filmed in the Tatar Avyli. A convoy of convicted people was sent into exile to Siberia and a long journey started here.

The main building of the Kazan Federal University

According to the plot, Professor Leube, played by Sergey Makovetsky, was working at Kazan University. His patient`s murder, happened right in front of professor`s eyes, and that’s where the madness starts.

Kremlyovskaya St, The 1st of May Square (The Spasskaya Tower)

The most massive scenes of the film were shot at the walls of The Spasskaya Tower of the Kazan Kremlin. This is where the scenes of the fair and revolutionary theather were filmed. Zuleikha and other people of dekulakization went to an unknown future along Kremlyovskaya Street to the walls of The Spasskaya Tower.

Kazan Kremlin

A prison was recreated in the basement of the Kazan Kremlin. Zuleikha and Professor Leube were awaiting their fate in the same cell. In fact, this cell was the starting point of their exile to Syberia.

Semruk, Laishevsky district

A whole village was built on the picturesque bank of the Kama River for the main and most interesting scenes of the film. Zuleikha “opens her eyes” and begins her new life in Semruk. In this terrible place Zuleikha realizes that even here faith, hope and love are possible.

Old tatar quarter

According to the plot, the house where Zuleikha`s son Yusuf and his family settled after moving to Kazan, is located in city`s historical living quarters next to the Marjani mosque. The scenes shot in this authentic and picturesque place of Kazan conclude the final episode of the film.