Akira Kurosawa’s majestic, Oscar-winning tale of friendship between a Russian explorer and a wise forest hunter was filmed in the vast wilderness of the Soviet Far East and Siberia.
Where was Dersu Uzala filmed?
Dersu Uzala was filmed in the Soviet Far East and Siberia, with studio work at Mosfilm.
Every Dersu Uzala location, explained
1
The taiga – the Far East
The wilderness used the forests of the Khabarovsk region in the Russian Far East.
2
Siberia – the wilds
Further scenes used the wilderness of Siberia.
3
The studios – Moscow
Some scenes used the Mosfilm studios in Moscow.
4
The Russian wilderness
The film is set in the vast forests of early-1900s Russia.
Planning a visit
The forests of the Russian Far East – the film’s real setting – are among the most remote wildernesses on Earth.
Dersu Uzala Fun Facts
1
Filmed in the Soviet wilderness The film used the forests of the Russian Far East and Siberia.
2
A Kurosawa film It was Akira Kurosawa’s only film made outside Japan.
3
A Soviet co-production The film was made with the Soviet studio Mosfilm.
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An Oscar winner It won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
5
A tale of friendship The story follows an explorer and a wise forest hunter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Dersu Uzala filmed?
In the Soviet Far East and Siberia, with studio work at Mosfilm.
Is it set in Russia?
Yes – in the forests of early-1900s Russia.
Can you visit the locations?
The Russian Far East is remote but accessible to travellers.
Who directed it?
Akira Kurosawa.
When was it released?
1975.
