Director Sokurov Alexander Nikolaevich: biography, personal life, filmography

Sokurov Alexander Nikolayevich - Soviet and Russian film director, actor and screenwriter, Honored Artist, People's Artist of Russia. He is deep, whole and incredibly gifted. His brilliant works have been recognized in many countries around the world, but in the homeland of the film master often not immediately reach the target audience. Difficult, often incomprehensible, but from this no less talented person. Today is our story about him.

Childhood

The biography of the film director begins in June 1951. The boy was born in the Irkutsk region. The father of Alexander Nikolayevich was a serviceman, and the man was constantly sent to various parts of the country. These episodes from his life well remember Alexander Sokurov. The family often moved from place to place. Little Sasha's childhood passed on the road - he had to constantly change schools, leave friends, meet new people. Life threw him from one side to the other. Alexander Nikolaevich went to school in Poland, but he graduated from basic training already in Turkmenistan.

By the way, the place where Alexander Sokurov was born - the village of Podorvikha - was flooded in 1956 at the start-up of the Irkutsk HPP.

After school Alexander Nikolaevich Sokurov entered the historical faculty of the Gorky State University. Already during his studies the young man showed incredible zeal and interest in everything that was connected with television, he tried to develop independently in this sphere. He released several television films, worked on preparing programs that were broadcast live on Gorky television. In 1974, Alexander Nikolayevich graduated from the university and received a diploma of a historian.

Institute of Cinematography

A year later, Alexander Nikolayevich Sokurov entered the VGIK at the Faculty of Directing. The future film guru came to AM Zguridi's studio, where students were taught documentary directing, shooting techniques for popular science films. Study was given to Sokurov easily, he plunged into the creative process with his head. For his successful studies, the young man received a scholarship named Eisenstein. However, not everything was smooth and cloudless. The relationship between Sokurov and representatives of the administration of the institute, as well as the leaders of the State Committee, became more acute day by day. A label of an anti-Soviet was hanged on Alexander Nikolaevich, he was accused of formalism, his student works were not recognized and were not accepted. Because of the constant confrontation, it was easier and more correct for Sokurov to finish his studies as early as possible, passing all the exams ahead of schedule, which he did in 1979.

By the way, the first picture of the beginning director - "The Lonely Voice of Man", based on Andrei Platonov, - which was exhibited as a graduation work, was not read off by the institute commission. All materials had to be destroyed, but the picture survived by a miracle - Sokurov and his friend just stole it from the archive. Later the film was awarded with prestigious awards at international film festivals.

First creative steps

Even in his student years, director Sokurov met with screenwriter Yuri Arabov, who became his adherent in creativity and a comrade in life. Another person in the life of Sokurov, who appreciated his first directorial work and subsequent works, was the director Tarkovsky.

His first feature films Alexander Nikolayevich shot at the Lenfilm studio, which in 1980 fell on the recommendation of Andrei Tarkovsky. In parallel, the director worked on a documentary film - he collaborated with the Leningrad Documentary Film Studio. In general, Sokurov really liked Mosfilm, and under other circumstances he would very much like to work there. However, the working conditions of the Moscow film studio director did not suit at all.

I must say that Sokurov's debut films aroused the discontent of the authorities, and they were destined to lie on the shelf for a long period of time - the cinema was not let out for hire. Sokurov realized that he was unhappy with the political elite, he realized that he was in danger of physical harm, but he did not leave the country, although there were opportunities. "I always remembered that I was Russian," says Alexander Sokurov. Nationality is an accessory to a certain nation, a nation, this is the language, rite and faith of the fathers. For the hero of our narrative, the Motherland is Russia.

Filmography

The films that Sokurov shoots are not simple, they have a hidden meaning hidden in the lines, and not from the first time. They make you think in a concentrated and continuous way and see what sometimes you do not want to see. Filmed sometimes in the format of documentaries, sometimes in the form of a parable, they always teach something to someone interested. This is not an entertaining movie for recreation with popcorn and soda - "Conversations with Solzhenitsyn," "Reading the Blockade Book," "Father and Son," "Mother and Son" are pushed to reflect on serious things.

Alexander Sokurov is a filmmaker with eighteen feature films, over thirty documentary films, scoring, screenwriter work. In addition, in the moneybox maestro acting experience. In 1980, Alexander Nikolayevich starred in the film "You Must Live" by Vladimir Chumak. This military-themed picture, inspired by Smolyanitsky's novel, united under its wing a whole inflorescence of the most talented artists of Soviet cinema, among them Irina Muravieva, Igor Kvasha, Evgeny Steblov, Marina Dyuzheva and others.

Thaw

In the late 1980s, the creative development of director Alexander Sokurov marked a new round.

His paintings, which were initially banned from the show, finally reached the target audience. And not only ordinary people could see them, but they were also appreciated by the jury members at various film festivals, including international ones. The director tirelessly stressed that his Motherland is Russia, and Alexander Sokurov, whose nationality is Russian, always remembers it. I must say that thanks to the paintings of Sokurov, the director's homeland was represented at festivals quite adequately.

For a whole decade, beginning in 1980, Alexander Nikolayevich worked a lot and fruitfully. Often in one year he managed to give life to several films. In parallel to the shootings, the director Sokurov taught his budding colleagues at the workshop at Lenfilm, was the presenter on television. The filmmaker released a whole series of programs called "Sokurov's Island", in which he and the viewer sought answers to many pressing questions; Discussed with the audience about the place of cinema in the modern life of society.

In addition, Alexander Sokurov conducted charity programs on radio for young people.

What the "Francophonie" narrates about

Another picture in which Sokurov took direct part was the film "Francophonie" - a very fresh tape, which was published in 2015. The work received recognition at the Venice Film Festival and seriously stirred up the society.

What is the "Francophonie" about? Sokurov filmed a film about Paris, which was occupied by the Nazis in 1940. It deals with how the Frenchman - the director of the Louvre - and the German sent to supervise the museum, did what they were not expected to do - they saved the Louvre collection from ruin. "Francophonie" is a film that screams about the need to save European cultural values. And the plot line in it is by no means invented, not inspired by abstract thoughts. The picture, shot by the master of cinema, reflects Alexander Sokurov's opinion about the current situation in the world - the clash of Muslim and Christian worlds, the imminence of a humanitarian catastrophe that can still be prevented. The master believes that the most important thing now is to realize this and urgently to do something.

Alexander Nikolaevich does not hesitate to denote his position and his attitude to everything that is happening in the modern world. He sincerely believes that the fundamental foundations of Christianity and values, which have been so difficult to develop for centuries, are now threatened with extinction. Under the onslaught of representatives of Muslim culture - people of a different way, a different approach to life and principles in general - the values of the Old World can disappear forever, to sink into the abyss of non-existence. And it's scary. A hint of this situation reflects the picture of "Francophonie".

Sokurov emphasizes that he respects the people of the Muslim faith with great respect, but he believes that it is "vital" for us "to stay away from each other."

Prizes and awards

Alexander Nikolayevich Sokurov is an unusual person. It is difficult to say what is the secret of his success. He knows and loves the business that he does. Sokurov is working consistently, disciplined and clear. From his own words, it's easy to work with him in the organizational plan. His policy is understandable, it does not conceal in itself any hidden currents and pitfalls. In the creative plan, of course, everything is different.

Nevertheless, the director Sokurov in his track record has so many awards, regalia and marks that at first it seems incredible. Works of the master were repeatedly nominated for prizes of the International festivals: the prize "Golden Bear" of the Berlin Film Festival; Award "Nika" for the film "The Lonely Voice of Man"; The award of the Tarkovsky Moscow Film Festival; A prize of Russian film critics and a special jury prize for the film "Mother and Son". To his trophies, one can rank a prize for an iconic decision in the film "Russian Ark" at the Toronto Film Festival; Special prize in São Paulo for the overall contribution to the cinema; Prize of the Argentinean Association of Film Critics for the film "The Russian Ark"; The prize for "For an artistic language that influenced the world cinema".

State Prize of Russia

In addition to these marks, there is still Sokurov's recognition as a filmmaker and a man. In 1995, Alexander Nikolayevich was named one of the top 100 directors of world cinema; In 1997 - Honored Artist of Russia.

In 2004, Sokurov was awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of Russia. He also has iconic awards - the Order of the Rising Sun and the officer's cross of the Order of Arts and Literature. Repeatedly Sokurov was assigned to the State Prize of Russia. In 2014 he was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of literature and art.

In general, the maestro is quite a closed person - he does not like to heartily talk with journalists Alexander Sokurov. The personal life of the master of cinema is a closed topic. Although sometimes the director can share some details of his creative biography.

In one conversation, Alexander Nikolayevich told about the procedure for awarding the State Prize. It turns out that this process is lengthy and consists of several stages. The list of candidates is first agreed in the Council for Culture and Art under the President. The list is being discussed, the voting is taking place, and eventually the remaining candidates go to the president's approval. He gives the resolution, and after some time all the candidates get on the procedure of awarding. Within the framework of the event, a reception is organized with the participation of the head of state, the participants pre-rehearse the solemn part. According to Alexander Nikolayevich, it is not easy to participate in the event - it is very exciting and takes a lot of energy.

Speaking of creative plans, director Sokurov admits that the success of the "Francophonie" did not encourage him to rest on his laurels. The maestro is full of creative ideas, but so far he has not disclosed the details of his projects - he is afraid of jinx.