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Nikita MihalkovActor, director
Date of Birth: 21.10.1945
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Nikita Mikhalkov
- Family and Early Life
- Education and Early Career
- Film Career
- Public and Political Activity
- Personal Life
- Current Projects
Biography of Nikita Mikhalkov
IntroductionActor and director Nikita Mikhalkov is part of the renowned Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky dynasty and holds a prominent place in the history of Russian culture. Despite his seventy years, he is rarely referred to by his full name, Nikita Sergeyevich. Mikhalkov started his career as an actor, portraying schoolchildren during the post-Stalin era, and his subsequent roles reflected the evolving social attitudes of the time. Currently, Mikhalkov's pro-government and pro-presidential stance has made him the subject of criticism, including from his fellow filmmakers. Nevertheless, he remains steadfast in his beliefs and is ready to defend his views and civil position.
Family and Early Life
Nikita Mikhalkov was born on October 21, 1945, into a family with a significant literary and artistic background. His father, Sergey Vladimirovich, was a renowned Soviet poet, screenwriter, and writer, belonging to the noble Mikhalkov family. His mother, Natalia Konchalovskaya, was the granddaughter of the famous painter Surikov and was involved in literature and translation. Mikhalkov's older brother, Andron Konchalovsky, is also a well-known director. The influence of his family played a significant role in shaping Mikhalkov's character and worldview.
Education and Early Career
Although Mikhalkov's family had a literary and artistic background, he initially pursued his education in a specialized mathematics school. However, he soon realized that mathematics was not his passion. He then transitioned to a regular school and developed an interest in music. Inspired by his brother, Andron Konchalovsky, who left the conservatory to pursue a career in filmmaking, Mikhalkov became more involved in theater and cinema, attending a theatrical studio. In 1959, Mikhalkov made his screen debut playing a minor role as a schoolboy in the film "The Sun Shines for All." This was followed by small roles in "Clouds over Borsk" (1960) and "Krosh's Holidays" (1963).
Film Career
Mikhalkov's breakthrough came in 1963 when he portrayed the young metro builder Kolya in the film "I Walk Around Moscow." The film became a classic of Soviet cinema, earning recognition at film festivals in Cannes, Rome, Leningrad, and Milan. Mikhalkov's charismatic portrayal of the young protagonist and his performance of the film's song captivated audiences. This success solidified his decision to pursue a career in the film industry. However, Mikhalkov faced challenges during his studies at the Shchukin Theater School, where students were strictly prohibited from participating in film shoots. Despite this restriction, Mikhalkov did not adhere to the rule. As a result, he was expelled from the school but managed to continue his studies at the directing department of the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK). During this time, he appeared in the lyrical film "Not the Most Successful Day."
After completing his studies at VGIK, Mikhalkov served in the navy on the Kamchatka Peninsula. Upon returning to civilian life, he directed the film "An Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano," which is now considered a cinematic classic. Throughout the next decade, Mikhalkov became one of the most prominent figures in Soviet cinema. His films, in which he served as director, actor, and screenwriter, achieved critical acclaim and commercial success. Audiences flocked to see films such as "Slave of Love" (1975), "The Unfinished Piece for the Player Piano" (1977), "Siberiade" (1978), "Rodnya" (1981), "The Hound of the Baskervilles" (1981), and "A Railway Station for Two" (1982). Mikhalkov's portrayal of the charming and cynical Paratov in "An Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano" received mixed reviews but was a tremendous success with audiences and earned the film the title of "Best Film of the Year."
In 1991, Mikhalkov established his own production company, which produced the film "Urga-Territory of Love." Although the film achieved greater success abroad than in Russia, Mikhalkov's next work, "Burnt by the Sun" (1994), was a true masterpiece and marked the pinnacle of his career. The film, in which Mikhalkov served as producer, screenwriter, director, and lead actor, received international acclaim for its recreation of historical events, superb ensemble cast, and the inclusion of his youngest daughter. "Burnt by the Sun" won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, the State Prize, and became a huge success with audiences. However, Mikhalkov's subsequent films, such as "The Barber of Siberia" (1998) and the sequel to "Burnt by the Sun," made in 2010-2011, did not live up to expectations.
Despite these setbacks, Mikhalkov continued to create successful films, including the suspenseful drama "12" (2007) and the adaptation of Ivan Bunin's works, "Sunstroke" (2014). In 2015, Mikhalkov, along with his brother Andrei Konchalovsky, launched a project called "Let's Eat at Home!" with the aim of establishing a Russian network of healthy food restaurants as an alternative to foreign chains like McDonald's. The face of the network became Andrei Konchalovsky's wife, Julia Vysotskaya. The first locations opened in 2017.
Public and Political Activity
Nikita Mikhalkov's public and political activities have often sparked controversy and mixed reactions. He had a conflict with Marlen Khutsiev in 2008 and wrote a letter to the Russian president requesting his re-election for a third term in 2007. He has also been involved in discussions regarding royalties for copyright content. Despite differing opinions on Mikhalkov's specific actions and views, it is undeniable that he has played a significant role in the development of Russian culture.
Personal Life
Nikita Mikhalkov has been married twice. He first married Anastasia Vertinskaya during their time at the Shchukin Theater School. They tied the knot in 1966 and welcomed a son named Stepan. However, their marriage did not last. Mikhalkov's second wife is Tatiana Shigaeva, whom he met during the filming of "An Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano." They have three children together: Anna (1974), Artem (1975), and Nadezhda (1987). Rumors and controversies surrounding Mikhalkov's personal life have occasionally surfaced, but the details remain largely private.
Current Projects
Amidst the ongoing conflict between Russian forces in Ukraine, Nikita Mikhalkov's online presence has once again become a subject of discussion. He actively promotes his pro-Russian stance on his YouTube channel. In addition, there are reports of his involvement in a new film project titled "Kraken," which aims to compete with Marvel superhero projects. The film is rumored to feature notable actors such as Danila Kozlovsky, Alexander Petrov, and Sergei Bezrukov.
Despite the controversies surrounding his personal and public life, Nikita Mikhalkov remains a highly talented and influential figure in Russian culture. His contributions to cinema, theater, and literature have left an indelible mark.
