Shot in space, feature film 'The Challenge' rockets at Russian box office

Artwork from the "Vyzov" ("The Challenge") movie poster depicts actress Yulia Peresild as surgeon Zhenya Belyaeva floating in the Cupola aboard the International Space Station.

The first feature-length narrative movie to have scenes shot in space by a professional filmmaker rocketed to the top of Russia's box office over the weekend, six months after the director and lead actress launched on 12-day visit to the International Space Station.

"Vyzov" ("Вызов"), or "The Challenge," brought in 445 million rubles (about $5.5 million U.S.) from 1.4 million viewers since opening Friday (April 20) in Russia and the post-Soviet states — including at the mission's actual launch site, Baikonur Cosmdrome in Kazakhstan.