Kalatozov, Mikhail

Mikhail Kalatozov was a key figure in Russian film making whose work is regarded today as a rich blend of stunning and often surreal visuals and highly skilled cinematography.

Kalatozov was born in Moscow on 29 December 1903, and began his career from a fairly young age, working at first as a projectionists and later on a film-cutter, a camera man and a scriptwriter. His interests, now firmly cemented within the film industry turned to directing and in 1928 he co-directed 'Ikh Tsarstvo' (Their Empire) together with N.Gogoberidze. A couple of years later he tackled directing on his own, so in 1930 his debut film 'Sol Svanetii' (The Salt of Svanetia) which became a worldwide success and was renound for its beautiful cinematography, luscious camera shots and the idyllic depiction of life within a small Russian village.

He graduated his course at the Academy of Art Studies in 1957 and he was hired as a film director for Lenfilm studios where he directed two films about legendary Soviet fighter aces.
Kalatozov worked his way up through the Russian film industry and was the leading representative for Soviet films in Hollywood and in 1946 he became the Deputy Minister of Cinematography of the USSR.

Mikhail Kalatozov was granted the State award in 1951 for his politicly active film 'Zagovor obrechyonnikh' (Conspiracy of the Doomed) and received critical acclaim and recognition for his lyrical comedy 'Vernyye druz'ya' (True Friends, 1954) but it was his next film in 1957 which secured Kalatozov a reputation as one of Soviet Russia's most prolific film directors.
'The Cranes Are Flying' interprets the troubles of war as seen from a deeply personal perspective of two young lovers caught up within war time tragedy. Followed swiftly after this film came 'I am Cuba' (1964) which also showed Kalatozov's cinematic technique of almost visual poetry.

Kalatozov died in Moscow on March 29, 1973 leaving behind a legacy of films and cinematic philosophies which are still highly regarded today.


Filmography

As director

The Red Tent [1969]
Ya Kuba / Soy Cuba / I Am Cuba [1964]
Neotpravlennoye Pismo [1960]
The Letter Never Sent [1959]
The Cranes Are Flying [1957]
Pervyy Eshelon [1955]
Vernye Druzya [1954]
Vikhri Vrazhdebnye [1953]
Zagovor Obrechennykh [1950]
Valeri Chkalov [1941]
Nail in the Boot [1934]
Gvozd V Sapoge [1931]
Slepaya [1930]
Dzhim Shuante [1930]
Sol Svanetii [1928]