Russiapedia
The most controversial figures in Russian history on RT Documentary
Ivy Mike Test of First H-Bomb in 1952.

5 August

On August 5, 1963, the Treaty banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Underwater, often abbreviated as the Partial Test Ban Treaty, was signed between the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain. …

Go to On this day

Previous day Next day

Peter Carl Faberge

Peter Carl Faberge was a world famous master jeweler and head of the ‘House of Faberge’ in Imperial Russia in the waning days of the Russian Empire.

Go to Foreigners in Russia

Prominent Russians: Nikita Mikhalkov

Born October 21, 1945

Image from www.rusactors.ru Image from www.rusactors.ru

Born into stardom

Son of Soviet poet Sergey Mikhalkov and Natalia Konchalovskaya, also a poet. His first wife Anastasiya Vertinskaya (daughter of famous Russian entertainer Aleksandr Vertinskiy) was a stunning beauty of Soviet silver screen. Now they are divorced.

Mikhalkov's second wife Tatyana is a former fashion model, currently a Moscow fashion week promoter. She appears in public invariably with a huge black fabric bow attached to a side of her head and is famous for her questionable taste in fashion.

Nikita Mikhalkov has a son Stepan from his first marriage, another son Artyom and two daughters Nadezhda and Anna from the second one, and a number of grandchildren. All of his offsprings are either actors or film producers and directors. Nikita has an older brother Andrey Konchalovsky who is equally acclaimed film director.

Films and awards

Mikhalkov was educated at director's department of State School of Cinematography (VGIK). Even before graduation he played in over a dozen pictures and directed three short films.

Overall number of roles Mikhalkov has played in his career is well over 40. Critics and movie-goers often agree that his best acting

Image from www.film.ru Image from www.film.ru

works are roles of rascals or obnoxious provincial parvenus, while his portrayals of nobility are somewhat less convincing. Some critics say that Mikhalkov's directorial works lack creativeness and innovation. But he can easily waive these allegations by presenting an impressive list of nominations and wins in the most important international film festivals and competitions. It includes an Oscar, a Golden Lion and a Jury's Grand Prix in Cannes.

His Burnt by the Sun alone won an Oscar for the Best Film In Foreign Language (1995), Grand Prize of the Jury and Ecumenical Jury Prize at Cannes (1994). This is a poignant drama of a typical prosperous Soviet family destroyed by Stalin's repressions in 1936. The sequel of it is expected for release in 2008.

The Barber of Siberia may not be innovative too, but it definitely is an outstanding feature. The unabridged version of this romantic drama is six hours long with an impressive international cast, and its premiere has been an epic event in Russia. And there may be no question about ordinary public who loves Mikhalkov's pictures about ordinary people. Reruns of his Five Evenings and Relatives are much awaited by viewers. Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano, Slave of Love and Friend Among Strangers, Stranger Among Friends are equally appreciated by cinema-lovers.

AFP Photo / Natalia Kolesnikova AFP Photo / Natalia Kolesnikova

Nikita Mikhalkov who doesn't keep any official posts in modern Russian cinematographic establishment, definitely remains the most influential figure in domestic movie world. He is the chair of Moscow International Film Festival. Moreover he has his own annual movie award the Golden Eagle, sort of Russian Oscars. What is more important, Nikita Mikhalkov is on the first name basis with Vladimir Putin, former president and current prime minister of Russian Federation.

Related personalities: