``Even if we succeed only in filming a few minutes in space, it will be a grandiose, distinguishing event for Russians, who need to feel that again after Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space,'' Kara was quoted as saying.
``Everything depends on money and this (film) is all about huge sums of money,'' a Russian Space Agency spokesman said.
Russia's government has said it would be unable to fund the Mir after this summer, but decided the station could stay in orbit until August or longer if private funds were found.
Moscow had planned to retire Mir in June 1998 but earlier this month said it could stay in orbit until 2000 without a crew as officials continued the frantic hunt for financing.
The spokesman said he had not seen any signed agreement with Kara for the station's use and was unsure whether he had put in a formal request to film ``The mark of Cassandra'' onboard.
``Nothing official has arrived, but Kara has said his actors are ready...and there is nothing unrealistic about this project,'' the spokesman said.
He said the actors and crew would have to take special safety measures.
``To ensure everyone's safety, several crews need to be trained and along with the actors there should be specialists because it can be dangerous,'' he said.
The film's leading man, popular Russian actor Vladimir Steklov, has already started his cosmonaut training, RIA news agency quoted Kara as saying.
``Many artists, not only Russians, have heard about this unique project, and have dreamed about becoming the first actor or actress to be filmed in space,'' Kara said.
He said many famous Russian actors had to be ruled out because they were not fit enough.
For Energiya, the corporation which owns Mir, the film would be a victory in its fight to keep Mir aloft -- as long as it paid well.
``A lot of financing is needed,'' the spokesman said.
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