Sergey Mikaelyan Director Date of Birth: 01.11.1923 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Wartime Trauma
2. Post-War Revival and Education
3. Transition to Filmmaking
4. Breakthrough with "The Bonus" and "Widows"
5. "In Love by His Own Will" and Legacy

Early Life and Wartime Trauma

On November 1, legendary Soviet filmmaker Sergei Gerasimovich Mikaelyan turns 85. Known for his acclaimed works such as "I Am Going into the Storm," "The Bonus," "Widows," and the iconic "In Love by His Own Will," Mikaelyan remains a humble figure even in his advanced age and prefers to avoid interviews. However, his poignant memoir, written in the late 1980s, sheds light on pivotal events in his life.

Growing up, Mikaelyan had a transformative experience during World War II. Amidst the fierce Battle of Rzhev, he found himself gravely wounded and abandoned on a battlefield. Convinced he would be captured, he contemplated suicide but was miraculously spared. When German soldiers approached within a mere 50 meters, they veered off without detecting him.

Post-War Revival and Education

After recovering from his injuries, Mikaelyan worked at the ZIL factory while pursuing his passions outside it. He participated in amateur theater activities and enrolled in an evening institute. His fateful encounter with his boyhood friend and fellow war veteran Boris Bodrov, who was studying at GITIS, ignited his desire for a creative career.

Mikaelyan joined GITIS and excelled under the tutelage of renowned professors Boris Zakhava, Alexei Popov, Maria Knebel, and Konstantin Voinov. He honed his skills in theaters across the USSR, eventually becoming the Artistic Director of the Russian Drama Theater in Tashkent.

Transition to Filmmaking

Recognizing his potential, Mikaelyan returned to education and enrolled in the Higher Directing Courses at Mosfilm. Despite initially having no aspirations for a filmmaking career, he was drawn to the challenge. Mikaelyan believed that true cinematic mastery was limited to a select few who, through their devotion and determination, created exceptional works.

Breakthrough with "The Bonus" and "Widows"

Mikaelyan's directorial debut was initially thwarted when his proposed adaptation of Sergei Smirnov's "Brest Fortress" was rejected. Undeterred, he stumbled upon the screenplay for "The Bonus" in 1974. His unwavering determination became evident when he defied orders to halt production and secretly assembled his crew in Riga, where the film was shot.

"The Bonus," a poignant portrayal of a foreman and his team's refusal to accept a bonus amidst pervasive construction malpractice, was met with critical acclaim and won the State Prize in 1976. Buoyed by his success, Mikaelyan embarked on "Widows," which depicted the enduring legacy of war on women's lives. The film faced censorship challenges but was ultimately released after intervention by then-General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev.

"In Love by His Own Will" and Legacy

Sergei Mikaelyan's most beloved work, "In Love by His Own Will," became a cultural phenomenon. The film follows the unlikely romance between a former athlete, played by Oleg Yankovsky, and a plain-looking but self-assured librarian, played by Eugenia Glushenko. Mikaelyan's intent to inspire self-improvement through the film's theme of self-hypnosis was not fully realized, yet the film's humor and emotional resonance left an unforgettable mark on Soviet cinema.

Sergei Gerasimovich Mikaelyan's unwavering dedication to his craft and his profound understanding of human nature have left an enduring legacy on Soviet and Russian cinema. His films continue to entertain, move, and inspire generations of viewers, a testament to his artistic genius and unwavering commitment to storytelling.