A. Zvyagintsev is a director who, during his 17-year career, won not only the prestigious awards of film festivals in Cannes and Venice, but also the Golden Globe. The filmmaker is known for his controversial polemic with the Russian government over censorship in the arts. What other interesting points can be highlighted in the director’s biography? And what new project Zvyagintsev will be released in the near future on large screens?
short biography
In February 1964, in the distant Novosibirsk, the notorious filmmaker Andrei Zvyagintsev was born in the family of an ordinary policeman and teacher. The director began his career in 1984 in the local Youth Theater, where he was invited to serve after graduating from the Novosibirsk Theater School.
Then Zvyagintsev served for 3 years in the Soviet army, moved to Moscow and turned into a student of the acting faculty of GITIS. Unfortunately, Andrey’s acting career did not work out. Firstly, he did not like the material that formed the basis of the dramaturgy of theatrical and film productions. Secondly, the 90s. The actors themselves were a difficult time - there was practically no work.
Until the 2000s the director was interrupted by filming commercials. 10 years of creative lull ended in the release of Andrei Zvyagintsev's “Return” in 2003, which brought its creator the first awards and critical acclaim.
A. Zvyagintsev (director): films. "Return"
“Return” is a dramatic film shot in the vicinity of St. Petersburg in 2003. Only 400 thousand dollars were spent on the production of the painting. In the world box office drama "Return" has collected more than 4 million dollars.
Zvyagintsev, the director of the film, shot his debut work with the participation of only four main characters performed by Konstantin Lavronenko (“Liquidation”), Ivan Dobronravov (“Burnt by the Sun-2”), Vladimir Garin (“Streets of Broken Lights”) and Natalia Vdovina (“ Bird home").
According to the plot, two brothers - Ivan and Andrey - are brought up by their mother and have already forgotten what their father looks like, supposedly a “pilot”. Once they come running home after a walk and find there a sleeping dad and a happy mother.
After a long absence, without explaining anything, the father returns to the boys' life as if nothing had happened. Ivan and Andrey are distrustful of their father and take with hostility his attempts to educate them. The finale of a difficult relationship between sons and a parent turns into a tragedy - the boys dad dies, and the boys in a shocked state try to deliver his lifeless body home.
The film "Return" won 5 prizes of the Venice Film Festival. After the demonstration of the film, the audience applauded while standing.
A. Zvyagintsev (director) and his drama "Elena"
In 2011, Andrei Petrovich released another difficult film - “Elena”.
Director Zvyagintsev this time touched on the topic of class stratification of society, making the main character of the drama a woman who cohabits with a wealthy elderly businessman for about 10 years from mercantile motives.
Everyone in this pair has children from past marriages and even grandchildren who need financial help. Elena diligently “serves” Vladimir, hoping for some financial support from him and a comfortable life after her husband’s death.
However, when an unforeseen situation arises and a woman turns to Vladimir for help, he refuses her. Moreover, the businessman informs Elena that all his fortune and real estate after death will go to his infantile daughter Catherine. After such unexpected news, Elena decides to kill her husband ...
The drama “Elena” was presented not only in Russia, but also in the USA, France, and Canada. The film received a special prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Eagle award.
"Leviathan"
In 2014, the director Andrei Zvyagintsev presented to the world his most scandalous picture - Leviathan.
In a new work, he tried to raise the problem of corruption of Russian officials by telling the story of the provincial car mechanic Nikolai, from whom the local mayor tried to take away a business and a house on the seashore. All attempts of Nicholas to resolve the issue through the courts or in other ways failed. As a result, the protagonist was falsely accused of killing his own wife and imprisoned for 15 years, and his property was transferred to the city administration.
The picture was to the taste of the jury of the Hollywood Association, which presented the creator of Leviathan Golden Globe. Also in the hands of Andrei Zvyagintsev was again the prize of the Cannes Film Festival for the best script and the Golden Eagle award. The premiere of the picture marked the beginning of a tough discussion between the director and representatives of the Russian authorities.
"Dislike"
At the end of 2017, fans of Andrei Zvyagintsev’s work will be able to see his new drama, codenamed “Dislike”. In the center of the plot of the picture will be a couple on the verge of breaking up with a 12-year experience and their young son Alyosha, who is acutely worried about the problems that have arisen in the family.
Actors are still unknown. However, information leaked to the press that the leading countries of Europe had bought the rights to demonstrate the film in advance.