Lev Zulkarnaev

Lev Zulkarnaev

Date of Birth: 09.02.2000

Content:
  1. Childhood and Early Life
  2. Education and Artistic Pursuits
  3. Theatrical Journey
  4. Cinematic Debut and Acclaim
  5. Personal Life
  6. Present and Future

Childhood and Early Life

Born on February 9, 2000, in Tyumen, Russia, to parents Vyacheslav and Zhanna Zulkarnaev, Lev's early childhood was filled with vibrant experiences in Kyiv, where his grandparents, aunts, and sisters reside. His fond memories include warm summer days, the fragrant scent of chestnut trees, the bustling rhythm of trams, and endless walks through the city at night, evoking a profound joy that left an enduring mark.

Education and Artistic Pursuits

From an early age, Lev exhibited a natural aptitude for writing poetry, earning him the nickname "Modern Alexander Pushkin" from the counselors at the children's camp "Scarlet Sails." His verses graced the pages of the "Poetry.ru" website, and by 2018, he had accumulated enough material for his own book, aptly titled "Four Walls of Lonely Happiness."

At the age of nine, geology sparked Lev's curiosity. Inspired by the journal "Minerals - Treasures of the Earth," he began collecting and studying rocks brought back from his travels abroad. He later proposed the establishment of a school museum for minerals, a dream that was realized with the expertise of professionals like Tamara Babaitseva, the long-time leader of the geological circle at the Tyumen Regional Center for Additional Education of Children and Youth.

Theatrical Journey

Moving to Moscow, Lev honed his acting skills at the Moscow Palace of Pioneers and the Moscow Young People's Theater. Director Andrei Zadubrovsky recalled Lev's inventive approach to a task he gave his students - to astound him. Lev, claiming to possess supernatural abilities, proceeded to reveal several intimate details of the teacher's life, leaving him in shock. However, Lev confessed how he had achieved this feat by contacting the teacher's wife through social media.

In 2018, Lev gained admission to the prestigious directing program at GITIS, where he studied under the tutelage of Oleg Kudryashov. He advised aspiring students to immerse themselves in works such as Konstantin Stanislavsky's "An Actor's Work on Him/Herself During the Creative Process of Experiencing," Georgy Tovstonogov's "Mirror of the Stage" and "On the Profession of Directing," Mikhail Butkevich's "Towards a Theatrical Stage," Jan Fabre's "I Am an Error," and Andrei Tarkovsky's "Lectures on Film Directing."

Cinematic Debut and Acclaim

Lev made his screen debut in the summer of 2021 with the detective thriller series "Kosa." The following year, he starred in Ruslan Bratov's "Express," a драмеди that marked his feature film debut as well as Bratov's. "Express" created waves at the "Window to Europe" film festival, receiving recognition for "Best Non-Fiction Film," "Best Cast," and "Best Cinematography."

Personal Life

Lev keeps his personal life private, sharing glimpses of his family, friends, and colleagues on social media without revealing intimate details. He professes a deep affinity for poetry, often reciting his own verse in acting videos. Lev is an avid sports enthusiast, particularly enjoying boxing and football. He is proficient in piano, contemporary dance, and outdoor activities like mountain climbing and Altai expeditions.

Present and Future

Lev's recent triumph at the "Window to Europe" film festival with "Express" opened the door to wider recognition. The film's director, Ruslan Bratov, credited Lev with bringing the universal themes of the story to life.

Lev has since appeared in the biographical television series "Shalyapin," portraying Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. His passion for acting remains an integral part of his life, and he looks forward to new opportunities to connect with audiences through his craft.

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