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1-50 of 283
- Actor
- Producer
Yuriy Sardarov was born on 28 January 1988 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. He is an actor and producer, known for Argo (2012), The Double (2011) and The Ides of March (2011).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Nesrin Cavadzade was born in Baku. At the age of 11 she moved to Istanbul with her family. Majored in Cinema and Television at Marmara University, Nesrin directed five short films during her university years. She later decided to be in front of cameras. Focusing entirely on acting, she took acting classes for 4 years. With her first leading role in "Dilber's Eight Days" she received awards as Best Actress at several different film festivals. Taking part in "To Better Days", Nesrin received several awards including the prestigious Golden Orange. With her performance at The Lamb she won her second Golden Orange award and won critical acclaim. Nesrin played a part in a well-known American TV thriller called Legends 2015. In 2017, she acted in a Fox TV series namely "Our Story" for three consecutive seasons. She also appeared in Spanish Movie "El Desentierro" in 2018. The next year, Nesrin became the iconic femme fatale Shahika in another Fox TV series "Forbidden Fruit" and won again critical acclaim. In January 2020, she was the leading actress at the movie "Love Like Coincidences 2" by also contributing the movie and its soundtrack with her vocal performance. The same year she also acted in a Netflix series "Ethos" directed by Berkun Oya, as well as in an independent film Cemil Show both of which will be released in 2020.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Vladimir Menshov was a Russian director and actor, noted for his depiction of the Russian everyman and working class life in his films. Born on September, 17, 1937 in Baku (then USSR, now the territory of Azerbaijan), like many Russian directors and actors Menshov studied at the state film school VGIK. Although his filmography as an actor is superior to that as director (actually confined to only five movies), he will be remembered most of all for his second film as director, Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears (1980), one of the most popular and beloved films in Russia, starring his wife Vera Alentova. The film brought him international recognition and the Oscar for the Best Foreign Film. Menshov did not attend the Academy Awards ceremony personally because he could not leave the country due to some problems of political nature, and the prize statuette was accepted by the USSR Commissioner to the U.S. The film itself is a moving story of three girlfriends who arrive in Moscow in search for a better life. A great melodrama in the first place, on a close analysis, the film can be seen as a biography of a whole generation since in the late 1970s, young people who abandoned their provincial towns with no opportunities for good jobs and strove to settle in the Russian capital.
In 1999, the 20th anniversary of the film's original release was celebrated at a series of events around Russia. Another film, an immensely popular comedy of manners Love and Doves (1985), was about a rural farmer peasant falling in love with a glamor urban lady. It ensured that his career continued to glitter. In the decade that followed he refrained from directing and in his rare interviews was very critical of the cinema industry. In 1995 he made Shirli-myrli (1995) - a very long extravaganza satirizing practically every aspect of cultural and political life in Russia. The film showed that these "off the job" years had not affected his talent. Zavist bogov (2000) - a nostalgic drama - demonstrated his longing for the Soviet era life style. Although criticized by some for "being too simple", Menshov was affectionately loved by ordinary cinema-goers who saw him as one of a very few directors capable of creating a perfect comedy or drama out of a down-to-earth situation.- Olga Lerman was born on 25 March 1988 in Baku, USSR. She is an actress, known for Odinok po kontraktu (2014), Wonderland (2016) and Etyudy o svobode (2018).
- Additional Crew
Garry Kasparov was born on 13 April 1963 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. He is known for The Queen's Gambit (2020), Game Over (2003) and This Is Not Normal.- Actor
- Director
Tural Manafov is a versatile actor with a BA in Acting from the New York Film Academy and a BA in International Relations from Baku State University. He's known for his roles in "The Blacklist" and "Bull." Tural's experience extends beyond acting; he's directed, produced, and acted in award-winning short films. With a background in professional water polo, representing Azerbaijan at the Olympics, Tural brings discipline, teamwork, and a unique perspective to his roles, adding depth and authenticity to his performances.- Iosif Tkaç was born on 13 July 1939 in Baku, USSR. He was an actor, known for Bäxt üzüyü 2 (2018) and Nigarançiliq (1998). He died on 22 October 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- Leyla Basak was born on 1 April 1985 in Baku, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. She is an actress, known for Aci Hayat (2005), Sila (2006) and Patlak Sokaklar: Gerzomat (2012).
- Melahat Abbasova was born on 8 July 1966 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. She is an actress, known for Seddülbahir 32 Saat (2016), Esaret (2022) and Ekzamen (1987).
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Sergey Gazarov graduated in 1980 from GITIS - The Russian University of Theatrical Arts named after Lunacharsky, the actor department (art workshop of Oleg Tabakov). While studying he actively participated in the foundation of the legendary Moscow Theater Studio "Tabakerka" under the guidance of Oleg Tabakov. After graduating Sergey Gazarov was invited to the Moscow State Theatre "Sovremennik". Numerous roles in the plays of world famous writers such as Shakespeare, Moliere, Olby, Saltykov-Shedrin, Ostrovsky, Bulgakov, Gogol and others brought recognition and acceptance among the public and the critics. For many years there were no single play where he wouldn't have performed the main part. Cinema and theater have uniquely intervened in his career of an actor and director. In 1990 he debuted as a film director with the movie «Crazy». The movie won the Grand-Prix Award of the Young European Filmmakers Festival in Angers (France). In 1991 he founded a movie company «Nikita And Pyotr». In 1991 he staged the play «The Government Inspector» («Revizor») in Oleg Tabakov Theatre-Studio that won the Union Of Theatrical Workers' Prize for the best director's debut of the year. In 1993 he shot a TV version of a philosophical parable «Helen & The Navigator» awarded the best TV film of the year. In 1996 he produced and directed the movie «The Government Inspector» («Revizor») co-production of «Nikita and Pyotr» and «Most-Group Company». The movie was highly appreciated by the critics and public. It was nominated in a few categories at the Montreal World Film Festival. Gazarov took home the awards for Best Artistic Contribution and Innovation. From 1998 to 2001 he worked as the principal director at the Mo scow Drama Theater after Dzhigarhanyan where he significantly renewed the troupe and staged a few widely accepted plays "The Homecoming" by H.Pinter and "The Government Inspector" by N.Gogol. Starting 2015 Sergey Gazarov is teaching theatrical arts at the Academy of Cinematographic and Theater Arts after N. Mikhalkov. He is the director of the graduation project "Metamorphosis" 9 mini plays after A. Chekhov ("Revenge") and I. Bunin ("Last Meeting", "Light Breath" etc) short stories. In 2016 Gazarov has been staging a new play by A. Galin "Parade" at the "Sovremennik" Theater in Moscow.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Anna Melikian (born February 8, 1976) is an Armenian-Russian film and TV director/ producer whose work has been recognized with several awards. After her participation at Sundance Film Festival she was listed in the TOP 10 of most perspective film directors by Variety magazine.
Melikian studied at the All-Russian State University of Cinematography film school in Moscow (classes of prof. Sergey Solovyov and Valery Rubinchik), where she was awarded by the university prize of "Saint Anna" for Poste restante (2000). After the graduation she was granted by GosKino Russian organization, made various documental and TV films. In 2008 Melikian's Rusalka (2007) was awarded by the Berlin International Film Festival Prize.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Larisa Dolina was born on 10 September 1955 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. She is an actress, known for Ten (1991), Starye pesni o glavnom. Postskriptum (2000) and Krasota trebuyet (2008). She has been married to Ilya Spitsyn since 1998. She was previously married to Viktor Mityazov and Anatoly Mionchinsky.- Director
- Writer
- Editor
Hilal Baydarov is a writer/director from Baku, Azerbaijan. During his high school years, he won the national championships in mathematics twice in 2004 and 2005. In 2011, he lead the Azerbaijani team at the informatics olympiad. After a master in computer sciences, he studied at the Sarajevo Film Academy under Béla Tarr before going on to make his trilogy of documentaries set in Katech Azerbaijan: WHEN THE PERSIMMONS GREW (2019) which won the Heart of Sarajevo for Best Documentary at the Sarajevo and the Interreligious Award and Special Jury Mention at Visions du réel; MOTHER AND SON (2019) premiered in the main competition at IDFA and NAILS IN MY BRAIN (2020) at Cinema du réel. After that, he made IN BETWEEN DYING (2020) premiered in Venice Main Competition, and CRANE LANTERN (2021) in TOKYO IFF. Then, he started to work on the WAR TALES trilogy and the first film SERMON TO THE FISH (2022) premiered in Locarno Competition.- Director
- Writer
- Animation Department
Robert Sahakyants was born on 30 August 1950 in Baku, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. He was a director and writer, known for Yellow SubmarYAN (2002), Lesson (1987) and Wow, a Talking Fish! (1983). He died on 24 September 2009 in Yerevan, Armenia.- Actor
- Producer
Cihangir Gaffari was born on 10 September 1940 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR. He is an actor and producer, known for Bloodsport (1988), Dick Turpin (1974) and The Demons (1973).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Emmanuil Vitorgan was born on 27 December 1939 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. He is an actor, known for Po Taganke khodyat tanki (1991), Dama v ochkakh, s ruzhyom, v avtomobile (2002) and Anxious Sunday (1983). He has been married to Irina Mlodik since 2002. He was previously married to Alla Balter.- Ilham Aliyev was born on 24 December 1961 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. He has been married to Mehriban Aliyeva since 22 December 1983. They have three children.
- Irina Azer was born on 18 September 1949 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. She is an actress, known for Akvanavty (1980), Gorozhane (1976) and Krepost (1979).
- Nadezhda Alliluyeva was born on 22 September 1901 in Baku, Russian Empire [now Azerbaijan]. She was married to Joseph Stalin. She died on 9 November 1932 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia].
- Actor
- Composer
- Additional Crew
Muslim Magomayev was a popular singer in the former Soviet Union. He was born on 17 August 1942, in Baku, Azerbaijan, USSR (now Baku, Azerbaijan). His grandfather, Muslim Magomayev Sr., was a renown composer in Azerbaijan. Young Magomaev followed his family tradition: he studied singing and piano at the Baku Conservatory of Music.
He shot to fame in the USSR in 1962, at the age of 19, after a stellar performance in the Kremlin Palace, Moscow. In 1963 he became known in Europe after a successful performance at the Youth Festival in Helsinki, Finland. That same year, he also appeared in the famous Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow for his first recital. At that time, popular singer Klavdiya Shulzhenko wrote: "The moment Muslim Magomaev appeared, it became a huge event. He is greater than all other singers. Everybody adores him." Magomaev became an instant celebrity and gained a considerable following in the Soviet Union and Europe.
During the mid 60-s Muslim Magomaev made a very important progress in perfecting his vocals skills: he took further training in the "La Scala" Opera Theater in Milan, Italy. His studies in Italy, the country of innumerable art treasures, the "Home" of belcanto, were highly beneficial for his singing, and also affected his inner world. Muslim Magomaev remained forever a supporter of the Italian school of singing. His adoration for such great singers as Beniamino Gigli, Gino Bechi, Tito Gobbi, 'Mario del Monaco' and Enrico Caruso was the driving motivation for his studies of operatic art.
Muslim Magomaev himself splendidly sang the leading arias of Figaro, Scarpia, Mephisto, Onegin. However, his success in popular music interfered with his operatic career. It was very similar to what happened to his favorite singer, Mario Lanza, about whom he wrote that Hollywood "stole" Mario Lanza from the operatic stage. In 1969 Magomaev won the International Song Competition in Sopot, Poland and also won the First "Golden Disc" at the Cannes Music Festival with 4.5 million of his records sold that year.
At age 30, Muslim Magomaev was one of the youngest recipients of the highest artistic title, People's Artist of the USSR. He also received numerous awards and decorations for his contribution to opera and popular music in the Soviet Union. Magomaev died of a heart failure on 25 October 2008, in Moscow, Russia, and was laid to rest in Baku, Azerbaijan.- Actor
- Soundtrack
Sergo Zakariadze was born on 1 July 1909 in Baku, Baku Governorate, Russian Empire [now Azerbaijan]. He was an actor, known for Waterloo (1970), Father of a Soldier (1964) and Giorgi Saakadze (1942). He died on 13 April 1971 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia].- Music Department
- Actor
- Director
Mstislav Rostropovich was a Russian cellist, pianist, conductor, pedagogue and political figure whose international performances and public appearances symbolized the struggle of intellectuals against the rigid Soviet Communism.
He was born Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich on March 27, 1927, in Baku, Azerbaijan, Soviet Union. His father, Leopold Rostropovich, was a notable musician and pedagogue of Polish nobility descent. His mother was a concert pianist of Russian-Jewish heritage. His teachers at Moscow Conservatory were Dmitri Shostakovich, and Sergei Prokofiev, and both became his main musical influences for life. In 1951 Rostropovich was awarded the State Stalin's Prize, after his numerous victories at international competitions and a growing stream of recognition and acclaim. in 1955 he married opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya who was a member of Bolshoi Theatre. At that time his stage partners were such musicians as Svyatoslav Richter and Emil Gilels along with his wife Galina Vishnevskaya.
In 1969 Rostropovich saved his friend, dissident writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn from prosecution. At that time Solzhenitsyn needed a place to hide from the Soviet authorities. An arrangement was made for Solzhenitsyn to live secretly at Rostropovich's dacha, a summer cabin outside of Moscow. This angered the Soviet Communists, and Rostropovich was banned from international tours and royalties. His performances in the Soviet Union were also banned, his income was drastically reduced, and his musical activity was limited to teaching. The Soviet authorities put severe pressure on Rostropovich by restricting his communication with the world and by ignoring his numerous invitations to perform at international festivals and competitions.
In 1974, after years of struggle with the Soviet dictatorship, Rostropovich fled the Soviet Union with his wife and two daughters, Olga and Elena. He became a much more relaxed person in exile, living the artistic freedom he had so longed for, and did not want to go back until the fall of the oppressive Soviet regime. In 1977 Rostropovich was appointed Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington, DC, the post he kept for the next seventeen years. Soon after Rostropovich became employed in the USA, his Soviet citizenship was revoked by Leonid Brezhnev in 1978. during the 1970s and 1980s Rostropovich enjoyed a very active concert career; he toured extensively as a cellist as well as an internationally acclaimed orchestra conductor and pedagogue. He also made numerous recordings of cello music and became recognized as arguably the world's best cellist of his time. Being also a good pianist, Rostropovich accompanied his wife, opera singer Galina Vishnevskaya on her numerous international concert tours.
In 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev restored their citizenship of Russia (then Soviet Union), allowing Rostropovich to return back home. His return happened during the most dramatic events of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. At that time Rostropovich joined the Russian President Yeltsin during the August coup of the hard-line communists against Mikhail Gorbachev. Eventually Rostropovich established himself as an internationally recognized cultural, political and intellectual figure of the new Russia. His music performances as well as his public statements were equally acclaimed and respected by all freedom-loving people.
Rostropovich returned to the new Russia and continued his career as a musician and public figure. He lived in his homes in Moscow and in St. Petersburg and remained active in cultural and political life. He died of a heart failure at the age of 80, on April 27, 2007, in Moscow, and was laid to rest in Novodevichy Semetery in Moscow Russia. His honors include: Recipient of Order of Service to the Fatherland medal of Russia (2007). Honorary Knight Commander of the British Empire, a Commander of the Legion of Honor of France, a Commander of the Phoenix Order of Greece, holder of the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Kennedy Center Honoree, the State Stalin's Prize (1951), the title People's Artist of the USSR (1956), and the Defender of Free Russia Medal (1993).- Nona Petrosyan was born on 29 September 1937 in Baku, Azerbaijan, USSR. She was an actress, known for Ashnan arev (1977), Khoshor shahum (1980) and Otar khagher (1986). She died on 3 February 1993 in Yerevan, Armenia.
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Zecharia Sitchin was born on 11 July 1920 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR [now Azerbaijan]. He was a writer, known for Quando gli dei crearono l'uomo (2019), In Search of... (1976) and Are We Alone? (1992). He died on 9 October 2010 in New York City, New York, USA.- Writer
- Producer
- Director
Rustam Ibragimbekov was born on 5 January 1939 in Baku, USSR [now Azerbaijan]. He was a writer and producer, known for A Trap for the Ghost, (2011), The Saint (1997) and Close to Eden (1991). He was married to Ludmila Dukhovnaya and Shohrat Ibrahimbeyova. He died on 11 March 2022 in Moscow, Russia.