Georgi Daneliya
Encyclopedia
Georgi Daneliya is a Soviet/Georgian
/Russian
film director, who became known throughout the Soviet Union
for his "sad comedies
" (as he styles them).
Daneliya graduated from the Moscow Architecture Institute and worked as an architect
. In 1956, he entered the Higher Director’s Courses at the Mosfilm
Studio where his teachers were Mikhail Romm
, Sergei Yutkevich
, Leonid Trauberg
, Yuli Raizman
, and Mikhail Kalatozov
.
His 1964 feature I Step Through Moscow
, starring Nikita Mikhalkov
, is one of the most characteristic films of the Khrushchev Thaw
. Among Daneliya's most popular movies are Mimino
(1977), about a Georgian pilot's adventures in Moscow
, and The Autumn Marathon
(1979), about a translator vacillating between his wife and mistress. In 1986 he directed a sci-fi film, Kin-dza-dza!
.
In 1976, he was a member of the jury at the 26th Berlin International Film Festival
.
Most of his films featured his then-wife Lyubov Sokolova, whom the Guinness Book of Records cites as the most prolific film actress, and his friend Yevgeny Leonov
. Daneliya was named a People's Artist of the USSR
in 1990.
More recently, he married film director Galina Yurkova, has been involved in animation
projects and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award
by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts.
Georgi Daneliya is the author or co-author of scripts to most of his films; he also wrote scripts for films by other directors, among which are Gentlemen of Fortune
(Джентльмены Удачи) (1972) (collaboration with Viktoriya Tokareva
), Frenchman (Француз) (1988) with Sergei Bodrov
and Hello from Charlie the Trumpet player (Привет от Чарли Трубача) (1998) with Sergei Dernov.
Walking the Streets of Moscow by Georgi Danelyia (1963, 78 min.). Scripted by '60s icon Gennady Shpalikov, Walking the Streets of Moscow stars a young Nikita Mikhalkov as Kolya, a construction worker not yet out of his teens. When Volodya, a friend and aspiring writer, comes to Moscow from Siberia, Kolya tries to arrange a meeting for him with a noted author. Meanwhile, Kolya's childhood friend Sasha wants to get married, but he must first get an Army deferral. Add to the mix Alena, a pretty shop girl to whom Kolya takes an obvious shine—although Alena seems to have eyes only for his visitor. Free flowing, and full of wry, wisecracking dialogue––a Shpalikov trademark––Walking the Streets of Moscow brims with a sense of hope and promise. This film has also been compared to the French New Wave films of the same decade.
as Scriptwriter
Nika Award
Kinotavr
All-Union Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
KF "Golden Duke"
ICF comedy films
International review of films in Acapulco
"Golden laurel wreath" the Foundation David Oliver O. Selznick
"Golden Aries"
State Prize of the Russian Federation
CCF VC
USSR State Prize
State Prize of the RSFSR Vasiliev brothers
Prize "The Wanderer"
Award "Triumph"
KF "Viva Cinema of Russia!"
Golden Eagle Award
MF debut film "The Spirit of Fire"
State Awards
Georgians
The Georgians are an ethnic group that have originated in Georgia, where they constitute a majority of the population. Large Georgian communities are also present throughout Russia, European Union, United States, and South America....
/Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
film director, who became known throughout the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
for his "sad comedies
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
" (as he styles them).
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. In 1956, he entered the Higher Director’s Courses at the Mosfilm
Mosfilm
Mosfilm is a film studio, which is often described as the largest and oldest in Russia and in Europe. Its output includes most of the more widely-acclaimed Soviet films, ranging from works by Tarkovsky and Eisenstein , to Red Westerns, to the Akira Kurosawa co-production and the epic Война и Мир...
Studio where his teachers were Mikhail Romm
Mikhail Romm
Mikhail Ilych Romm was a Soviet film director.He was born in Irkutsk. His father was a social democrat of Jewish descent who had been exiled there. He graduated from gymnasium in 1917 and entered the Moscow College for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture...
, Sergei Yutkevich
Sergei Yutkevich
Sergei Iosifovich Yutkevich was an award-winning Soviet film director and screenwriter.-Life and career:He began work as a teen doing puppet shows. Later he helped found the Factory of the Eccentric Actor , which was primarily concerned with circus and music hall acts. He entered films in the...
, Leonid Trauberg
Leonid Trauberg
Leonid Zakharovich Trauberg was a Jewish Ukrainian Soviet film director and screenwriter. He directed 17 films between 1924 and 1961 and was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1941.-Filmography:* The Adventures of Oktyabrina ...
, Yuli Raizman
Yuli Raizman
Yuli Yakovlevich Raizman was a Soviet Russian film director and screenwriter. His film Private Life was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.-Selected filmography:* The Earth Thirsts...
, and Mikhail Kalatozov
Mikhail Kalatozov
Mikhail Kalatozov born Mikheil Kalatozishvili was a Georgian/Russian film director. Born in Tiflis , he studied economics before starting his film career as an actor and later cinematographer....
.
His 1964 feature I Step Through Moscow
I Step through Moscow
Walking the Streets of Moscow is a 1963 Soviet movie directed by Georgi Daneliya and produced by Mosfilm studios. It stars Nikita Mikhalkov, Alexei Loktev, Evgeniy Steblov and Galina Polskikh. The film also features cameos by four People's Artists of the USSR: Rolan Bykov, Vladimir Basov, Lev...
, starring Nikita Mikhalkov
Nikita Mikhalkov
Nikita Sergeyevich Mikhalkov is a Soviet and Russian filmmaker, actor, and head of the Russian Cinematographers' Union.Mikhalkov was born in Moscow into the distinguished, artistic Mikhalkov family. His great grandfather was the imperial governor of Yaroslavl, whose mother was a Galitzine princess...
, is one of the most characteristic films of the Khrushchev Thaw
Khrushchev Thaw
The Khrushchev Thaw refers to the period from the mid 1950s to the early 1960s, when repression and censorship in the Soviet Union were partially reversed and millions of Soviet political prisoners were released from Gulag labor camps, due to Nikita Khrushchev's policies of de-Stalinization and...
. Among Daneliya's most popular movies are Mimino
Mimino
Mimino , is a 1977 comedy film by Soviet Georgian director Georgi Daneliya produced by Mosfilm and Gruziya-film, starring Vakhtang Kikabidze and Frunzik Mkrtchyan. Anatoliy Petritskiy served as the film's Director of Photography. The Soviet era comedy won the 1977 Golden Prize at the Moscow...
(1977), about a Georgian pilot's adventures in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, and The Autumn Marathon
Autumn Marathon
Autumn Marathon is a 1979 Soviet comedy-drama, a winner of 1979 Venice Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival and 1980 Berlin Film Festival awards in the best director and best actor categories....
(1979), about a translator vacillating between his wife and mistress. In 1986 he directed a sci-fi film, Kin-dza-dza!
Kin-dza-dza!
Kin-dza-dza! is a 1986 Soviet comedy-science fiction film released by the Mosfilm studio and directed by Georgi Daneliya, with a story by Georgi Daneliya and Revaz Gabriadze. The movie was filmed in color, consists of two parts and runs for 135 minutes in total.The film is a dark and grotesque...
.
In 1976, he was a member of the jury at the 26th Berlin International Film Festival
26th Berlin International Film Festival
The 26th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 25 to July 6, 1976.-Jury:* Jerzy Kawalerowicz * Hannes Schmidt* Marjorie Bilbow* Michel Ciment* Guido Cinotti* Georgi Daneliya* Wolf Hart* Bernard R...
.
Most of his films featured his then-wife Lyubov Sokolova, whom the Guinness Book of Records cites as the most prolific film actress, and his friend Yevgeny Leonov
Yevgeny Leonov
Yevgeny Pavlovich Leonov was a famous Russian/Soviet actor who played main parts in several of the most famous Soviet films. Called "one of Russia's best-loved actors", he also provided the voice for many Soviet cartoon characters, including Vinny Pukh .-Early life:While growing up in a typical...
. Daneliya was named a People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union.- Nomenclature and significance :...
in 1990.
More recently, he married film director Galina Yurkova, has been involved in animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
projects and was given the Lifetime Achievement Award
Golden Eagle Award
The Golden Eagle Award is an accolade by the Russian National Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences of Russia to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, directors, actors, and writers...
by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts.
Georgi Daneliya is the author or co-author of scripts to most of his films; he also wrote scripts for films by other directors, among which are Gentlemen of Fortune
Gentlemen of Fortune
Gentlemen of Fortune is a Soviet comedy, filmed at Mosfilm. The stars of the film include famous Soviet actors such as Savely Kramarov, Yevgeny Leonov, Georgy Vitsin, and Radner Muratov....
(Джентльмены Удачи) (1972) (collaboration with Viktoriya Tokareva
Viktoriya Tokareva
Viktoriya Samoilovna Tokareva is a Soviet and Russian screenwriter and short story writer.-Biography :Viktoriya Tokareva was born in 1937 in Leningrad, in the Soviet Union. Her love for literature began at the age of twelve, when her mother read her "Skripka Rotschil'da," , a short story by Chekhov...
), Frenchman (Француз) (1988) with Sergei Bodrov
Sergei Bodrov
Sergei Vladimirovich Bodrov is a two-time Academy Award-nominated Russian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer.Bodrov was born in Khabarovsk, Russian SFSR, USSR . In the post-Soviet period he emigrated to the United States. His son, actor Sergei Bodrov, Jr...
and Hello from Charlie the Trumpet player (Привет от Чарли Трубача) (1998) with Sergei Dernov.
Filmography
as Director- Vasisuali Lohankin (Васисуалий Лоханкин) (1958); short
- Also People (Тоже люди) (1959); short
- Splendid Days (Серёжа) (1960); co-directed with Igor Talankin
- The Road to Berth (Путь к причалу) (1962)
- I Step Through MoscowI Step through MoscowWalking the Streets of Moscow is a 1963 Soviet movie directed by Georgi Daneliya and produced by Mosfilm studios. It stars Nikita Mikhalkov, Alexei Loktev, Evgeniy Steblov and Galina Polskikh. The film also features cameos by four People's Artists of the USSR: Rolan Bykov, Vladimir Basov, Lev...
(Я шагаю по Москве) (1963)
Walking the Streets of Moscow by Georgi Danelyia (1963, 78 min.). Scripted by '60s icon Gennady Shpalikov, Walking the Streets of Moscow stars a young Nikita Mikhalkov as Kolya, a construction worker not yet out of his teens. When Volodya, a friend and aspiring writer, comes to Moscow from Siberia, Kolya tries to arrange a meeting for him with a noted author. Meanwhile, Kolya's childhood friend Sasha wants to get married, but he must first get an Army deferral. Add to the mix Alena, a pretty shop girl to whom Kolya takes an obvious shine—although Alena seems to have eyes only for his visitor. Free flowing, and full of wry, wisecracking dialogue––a Shpalikov trademark––Walking the Streets of Moscow brims with a sense of hope and promise. This film has also been compared to the French New Wave films of the same decade.
- Thirty ThreeThirty Three (film)Thirty Three is a 1965 Soviet comedy film directed by Georgi Daneliya.-Plot:A rough factory worker of a distant rural town of Russia becomes a national celebrity, when it's discovered that his mouth bears 33 teeth...
(Тридцать три) (1965) - Don't Grieve (Не горюй!) (1969)
- Hopelessly LostHopelessly LostHopelessly Lost is a 1973 Soviet adventure comedy directed by Georgi Daneliya based on Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Cinematography by Vadim Yusov...
(Совсем пропащий) (1972) - AfonyaAfonyaAfonya is a Soviet film produced by Mosfilm and first released in 1975. The film became the Soviet box office leader of 1975 with a total of 62.2 million ticket sales...
(Афоня) (1975) - MiminoMiminoMimino , is a 1977 comedy film by Soviet Georgian director Georgi Daneliya produced by Mosfilm and Gruziya-film, starring Vakhtang Kikabidze and Frunzik Mkrtchyan. Anatoliy Petritskiy served as the film's Director of Photography. The Soviet era comedy won the 1977 Golden Prize at the Moscow...
(Мимино) (1977) - Autumn MarathonAutumn MarathonAutumn Marathon is a 1979 Soviet comedy-drama, a winner of 1979 Venice Film Festival, San Sebastian Film Festival and 1980 Berlin Film Festival awards in the best director and best actor categories....
(Осенний марафон) (1979) - Tears Were Falling (Слёзы капали) (1982)
- Kin-dza-dza!Kin-dza-dza!Kin-dza-dza! is a 1986 Soviet comedy-science fiction film released by the Mosfilm studio and directed by Georgi Daneliya, with a story by Georgi Daneliya and Revaz Gabriadze. The movie was filmed in color, consists of two parts and runs for 135 minutes in total.The film is a dark and grotesque...
(Кин-Дза-Дза!) (1986) - The Passport (Паспорт) (1990)
- Nastya (Настя) (1993)
- Heads and Tails (Орёл и Решка) (1995)
- Fortune (Фортуна) (2000)
as Scriptwriter
- 1972 - Gentlemen of FortuneGentlemen of FortuneGentlemen of Fortune is a Soviet comedy, filmed at Mosfilm. The stars of the film include famous Soviet actors such as Savely Kramarov, Yevgeny Leonov, Georgy Vitsin, and Radner Muratov....
(Джентльмены удачи); with Viktoriya TokarevaViktoriya TokarevaViktoriya Samoilovna Tokareva is a Soviet and Russian screenwriter and short story writer.-Biography :Viktoriya Tokareva was born in 1937 in Leningrad, in the Soviet Union. Her love for literature began at the age of twelve, when her mother read her "Skripka Rotschil'da," , a short story by Chekhov... - 1988 - Frenchman (Француз); with Sergei BodrovSergei BodrovSergei Vladimirovich Bodrov is a two-time Academy Award-nominated Russian-American film director, screenwriter, and producer.Bodrov was born in Khabarovsk, Russian SFSR, USSR . In the post-Soviet period he emigrated to the United States. His son, actor Sergei Bodrov, Jr...
Honours and awards
Cannes Film FestivalCannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
- Winner in the category Special mention ribbons young filmmakers - 1964 - I Step Through Moscow
Nika Award
Nika Award
The Nika Award is a prestigious annual ceremony held by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences which was established in 1987 in Moscow, Russia by Yuli Gusman, and ostensibly modelled on the Academy Awards . Russian Academy Award takes its name from Nike, the goddess of victory...
- 1987 - The movie Kin-dza-dza
- 1991 - nominated for "Best Screenplay" in the film Passport
- 2008 - For the honour and dignity
Kinotavr
Kinotavr
Kinotavr , also known as Sochi Open Russian Film Festival is an open film festival carried out in the resort city of Sochi, Russia annually in June since 1991...
- 1996 - Sochi, the Special Jury Prize, the movie Eagle and Tails
- 1999 - Sochi, Russian President Award "for outstanding contribution to the development of Russian cinema"
- 2000 - Sochi, the winner in the category of "President's Council Award", for the movie Fortune
All-Union Film Festival
All-Union Film Festival
The All-Union Film Festival was one of the most important film festivals of the Soviet Union. It was founded in 1958 and held regularly from 1964-1988. It was held annually from 1972 onwards, and bi-annually before that...
- 1964 - Diploma of the Komsomol, for the movie I Walk around Moscow
- 1976 - Frunze, Special Jury Prize for Best Director, Film Afonya
- 1980 - Dushanbe, the main prize, the film Autumn Marathon
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival
Moscow International Film Festival , is the film festival first held in Moscow in 1959. From its inception to 1995 it was held every second year in July, alternating with the Karlovy Vary festival. The festival has been held annually since 1995....
- 1960 - Carlsbad, Grand Prize "Crystal Globe", the film Sergei
- 1964 - Cannes, Winner of 'Special Mention ribbons of young directors, a film I Step Through Moscow
- 1994 - Milan, the main prize, the film I Step Through Moscow
- 1966 - Rome, the Special Prize of the Festival, the film I Step Through Moscow
- 1970 - Mardel Plata, Special Jury Prize "Condor", the film Do not worry!
- 1970 - Cartagena, Award for Best Actor, the film Do not worry!
- 1975 - Tashkent, the main prize, the film Afonya
- 1977 - Moscow, the main prize, the film Mimino
- 1979 - Avelino, prize "Gold Lacheno" movie Mimino
- 1979 - Venice Prize FIPRESCI, film Autumn Marathon
- 1979 - San Sebastian, the main prize "Big Gold Sink", film Autumn Marathon
- 1980 - Carlsbad, Prize of Soviet-Bulgarian friendship, the film Autumn Marathon
- 1987 - Madrid, Special Jury Prize, the movie Kin-dza-dza
- 1987 - Rio de Janeiro, a special jury prize, the movie Kin-dza-dza
- 1987 - Porto, Special Jury Prize, the movie Kin-dza-dza
- 1990 - Cannes, Spetsilny prize, the film Passport
- 1993 - Rimini, The Prize "Amarcord", the movie Anastasia
- 1996 - Rome Prize "Amarcord", the film Passport
- 1996 - Warne, "Love and passion," the main prize, the movie Eagle and Tails
- 1997 - St. Petersburg, the "Golden Ostap", nominated for "The Legend"
KF "Golden Duke"
- 1990 - Odessa, Grand Prix, the film Passport
ICF comedy films
- 1980 - Chamrousse, the main prize, the film Autumn Marathon
- 1981 - Gabrovo, Special Award, the film Autumn Marathon
International review of films in Acapulco
- 1960 - Prize "Golden Head of Palenque", film Sergei
"Golden laurel wreath" the Foundation David Oliver O. Selznick
- 1961 - film Sergei
"Golden Aries"
- 1995 - "Man Film of the Year"
State Prize of the Russian Federation
State Prize of the Russian Federation
State Prize of the Russian Federation is a state honorary prize established in 1992 as the substitute for the USSR State Prize. In 2004 the rules for selection of laureates and the status of the award was significantly changed making them closer to such awards as Nobel Prize or the Soviet Lenin...
- 1996 - movie Anastasia
- 1996 - movie Heads and Tails
- 1996 - film Passport
CCF VC
- 1978 - Yerevan, prize for best comedy film, film Mimino
USSR State Prize
USSR State Prize
The USSR State Prize was the Soviet Union's state honour. It was established on September 9, 1966. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the prize was followed up by the State Prize of the Russian Federation....
- 1978 - The film Mimino
State Prize of the RSFSR Vasiliev brothers
- 1981 - film Autumn Marathon
Prize "The Wanderer"
- 2002 - St. Petersburg, nominated for "The Legend of fantastic cinema"
Award "Triumph"
- 2002
KF "Viva Cinema of Russia!"
- 2005 - St. Petersburg prize "Unfading viewers love"
Golden Eagle Award
Golden Eagle Award
The Golden Eagle Award is an accolade by the Russian National Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences of Russia to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, directors, actors, and writers...
- 2005 - "For loyalty to the profession"
MF debut film "The Spirit of Fire"
- 2006 - The main prize - "Golden Taiga", "For his contribution to cinema"
State Awards
- Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1965)
- People's Artist of RSFSR (1974)
- People's Artist of USSR (1989)
- Order of Merit for the FatherlandOrder of Merit for the FatherlandThe Order of Merit for the Fatherland was instituted on 2 March 1994 by Presidential Decree. The statutes describe it as a decoration for merit, not an order of knights....
- 2nd class (25 August 2010) - for outstanding contribution to the development of the domestic art of film and many years of creative activity
- 3rd class (29 August 2000) - for his great personal contribution to the development of cinema art
- USSR State PrizeUSSR State PrizeThe USSR State Prize was the Soviet Union's state honour. It was established on September 9, 1966. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, the prize was followed up by the State Prize of the Russian Federation....
(1978) - for the film Mimino (1977) - State Prize of the RSFSR Vasiliev brothers (1981)
- Honorary Citizen of TbilisiTbilisiTbilisi is the capital and the largest city of Georgia, lying on the banks of the Mt'k'vari River. The name is derived from an early Georgian form T'pilisi and it was officially known as Tiflis until 1936...
(1985) - Russian Federation State Prize in the field of cinema in 1996 (29 May 1997) - for the feature films Passport, Anastasia, The Eagle and Tails
- Order of the Badge of Honour
- Order of the Red Banner of LabourOrder of the Red Banner of LabourThe Order of the Red Banner of Labour was an order of the Soviet Union for accomplishments in labour and civil service. It is the labour counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order.-History:The Red...
- Commander of the Order of Honour (Georgia) (2000)
- Russian President's Award for his contribution to cinema.
- Honorary Member of Russian Academy of Arts
- Member of the USSR Union of Cinematographers