Alexandr Rowe Director Date of Birth: 08.03.1906

1. Childhood and Education
2. Early Career
3. Breakthrough at Soyuzdetfilm
4. Master of the Film Fairy Tale
5. Passion for Folklore
6. Legacy
7. Honors and Recognition

Childhood and Education

Alexander Arturovich Rowe was born on April 8, 1906, in Sergiev (renamed to Zagorsk in 1930). His childhood was cut short at the age of 10 when his Irish father, Arthur Rowe, returned to Ireland during the war. The family struggled financially, and the burden of caring for his sick mother fell upon Sasha.

Early Career

To support his family, Sasha worked odd jobs selling matches and combs. Despite his early hardships, he pursued his passion for the arts. After graduating from secondary school, he enrolled in an industrial economics technical institute. However, his true calling was in film, and he transferred to Boris Chaikovsky's film school.

Breakthrough at Soyuzdetfilm

His fortunes changed at Mezhrabpom-Film, where he worked as an assistant director to renowned filmmaker Yakov Protazanov on the films "Marionettes" and "The Dowry." When the studio became Soyuzdetfilm, the world's first and only film studio for children, Rowe found his niche.

Master of the Film Fairy Tale

In 1938, Rowe directed his first film fairy tale, "By the Pike's Command." His innovative techniques, such as using live actors to perform magic tricks, revolutionized the genre. In "Vasilisa the Beautiful," Rowe enlisted the help of local craftsmen in Zagorsk to create a massive 11-meter-long, 5-meter-high model of the three-headed serpent Zmey Gorynych.

Passion for Folklore

Rowe believed that fairy tales were inseparable from beauty. He traveled extensively, visiting 22 African countries and immersing himself in their folk art. He dreamed of adapting Andrei Platonov's "Good Tit" into a film, but unfortunately, he passed away before he could realize this ambition.

Legacy

Today, the genre that Rowe dedicated his life to is flourishing. From science fiction to horror, all owe a debt to the film fairy tale. Rowe's pioneering work created the foundation for modern cinematic marvels, and his films continue to entertain generations.

Honors and Recognition

In 1968, Rowe was awarded the title of Merited Artist of the RSFSR. He passed away in Moscow on December 28, 1973. His beloved films, such as "Koschei the Deathless," "Mary the Craftswoman," and "Frost," remain timeless classics of Russian childhood.