In 1974, the film “Earthly Love” was released on the screens of Soviet cinemas. It was shot based on the popular novel by Proskurin Pyotr Lukich “Fate”. The film shows the life of a person in an ordinary Soviet village in the pre-war era. Against the backdrop of five-year plans, dramatic events take place in the lives of the main characters. The married collective farm chairman Zakhar Deryugin falls in love with young Manya Polivanova. The main character faces a fateful choice that will need to be made. The film was very popular. Such a success of the film is associated not only with a good script and directorial work, but also with an acting that touched many Soviet hearts.
The actors in “Earthly Love”, who brought to life the director’s ideas, were selected talented. Their names are still well known. Today they are legends of Russian cinema.
Evgeny Semenovich Matveev
In this film, he played the main role - the chairman of the collective farm Zakhar Deryugin. In addition, he is a director and screenwriter of films.
The actors for "Earthly Love" were selected flawlessly. Evgeny Semenovich stood out for his article, masculinity. No wonder he always remained the favorite actor of many Soviet women. He shot and acted in films, played in the theater. It has always been in demand.
But in the 90s, Evgeny Semenovich suffered several blows of fate. Firstly, the betrayal by fellow filmmakers during the Fifth Congress, where he and Bondarchuk were accused of making custom films for the Soviet government. After that, he was expelled from the Union of Cinematographers. His children lost their jobs. The capital accumulated over many years has depreciated. And at an advanced age, he and his wife had to start from scratch.
But Evgeny Semenovich did not give up. He collected money for the trilogy “Love in Russian” for a penny. And for the second film, the budget was found thanks to ordinary people. After all, Evgeny Semenovich was really a national actor and director. Died June 1, 2003 from inoperable lung cancer.
Zinaida Georgievna Kiriyenko
Zinaida Georgievna in the film “Earthly Love” played the role of the wife of Zakhar Deryugin Efrosinya. Fame came to Zinaida Georgievna long before this role. For the first time, Soviet viewers saw her in the film epic "Quiet Don". The incredible beauty immediately became popular throughout the Soviet Union. After this picture, Zinaida Georgievna shone in “The Fate of Man”, “Poem about the Sea”. But soon the invitation from the directors ceased. And Zinaida Georgievna did not take part in any cinematic project. As the actress recalls, this boycott occurred due to a conflict with those in power.
Evgeni Semenovich Matveev pulled Zinaida Georgievna out of the cinematic vacuum, inviting Efrosinya to the role of “Earthly Love”. Now Zinaida Georgievna leads an active social life, performs with concerts, starred in television programs, films.
Ostroumova Olga Mikhailovna
Among the actors of “Earthly Love” Olga Ostroumova stands out. In the film, she plays the role of Deryugin’s mistress, Mani Polivanova. For the first time, Olga Mikhailovna appeared on the screens in the movie "Let's Live Until Monday." After that, she woke up popular. The next bright role was Zhenya Komelkova from the film “Dawns Here Are Quiet”. When Matveev invited her to his picture, Olga Ostroumova was very popular in the Union. In addition to cinematic roles, Olga Mikhailovna shines with talent on the stage. Now the famous actress is actively playing in the Mossovet Theater and acting in films.
Valeria Gavrilovna Zaklunnaya
In the film, the actress played the role of Zakhar Deryugin's sister, Katerina. In her filmography, there were other roles that brought popularity. For example, “The meeting place cannot be changed” (Gorbaty’s girlfriend), “The Duma of Kovpak” (Domna Radneva). After the collapse of the USSR, she accepted the invitation of the artistic director of the Lesya Ukrainka Theater. She was a leading theater actress until her death. Died October 22, 2016.
Yuri Vasilievich Yakovlev
In the film “Earthly Love” he played the role of beloved Katerina Deryugina, secretary of the party’s district committee, Bryukhanov Tikhon Ivanovich. Prince Myshkin in the film "The Idiot" - the role that made Yuri Vasilyevich famous. He was remembered by the Soviet audience for his vivid roles in the films “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes the Profession” (Bunsha and Ivan the Terrible), “Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!” (Hippolytus). Yuri Vasilyevich died of a heart attack on November 30, 2013.
Actors of "Earthly Love" took part in the continuation of the story in the film "Fate."