Eldar Aleksandrovich Ryazanov (russian: Эльдар Александрович Рязанов; 18 November 1927 – 30 November 2015) was a

Soviet The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen nation ...

and

Russia Russia (, , ), or the Russian Federation, is a List of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, Northern Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the ...

n film director, screenwriter, poet, actor and pedagogue whose popular comedies, satirizing the daily life of the

Soviet Union The Soviet Union,. officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR),. was a transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 to 1991. A flagship communist state, it was nominally a federal union of fifteen national ...

and Russia, are celebrated throughout the

former Soviet Union The post-Soviet states, also known as the former Soviet Union (FSU), the former Soviet Republics and in Russia as the near abroad (russian: links=no, ближнее зарубежье, blizhneye zarubezhye), are the 15 sovereign states that wer ...

and former

Warsaw Pact The Warsaw Pact (WP) or Treaty of Warsaw, formally the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, was a collective defense treaty signed in Warsaw, Poland, between the Soviet Union and seven other Eastern Bloc socialist republic ...

countries.

Biography

Eldar Aleksandrovich Ryazanov was born in

Samara Samara ( rus, Сама́ра, p=sɐˈmarə), known from 1935 to 1991 as Kuybyshev (; ), is the largest city and administrative centre of Samara Oblast. The city is located at the confluence of the Volga and the Samara (Volga), Samara rivers, with ...

. His father, Aleksandr Semyonovich Ryazanov, was a diplomat who worked in

Tehran Tehran (; fa, تهران ) is the largest city in Tehran Province and the capital of Iran. With a population of around 9 million in the city and around 16 million in the larger metropolitan area of Greater Tehran, Tehran is the most popul ...

. His mother, Sofya Mikhailovna (née Shusterman), was of Jewish descent. In 1930, the family moved to

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 million ...

, and soon his parents divorced. He was then raised by his mother and her new husband, Lev Mikhailovich Kopp. In 1937 his father was arrested by the Stalinist government and subsequently served 18 years in the

correctional labour camp The Correctional Labour Camp was a kind of penitentiary institution. Under various names and forms of ownership, they exist practically all over the world (due to the need to reduce the costs of the penitentiary system by means of its self–suffi ...

s. Ryazanov began to create films in the early 1950s. In 1955,

Ivan Pyryev Ivan Aleksandrovich Pyryev (russian: Ива́н Алекса́ндрович Пы́рьев; – 7 February 1968) was a Soviet-Russian film director and screenwriter remembered as the high priest of Stalinist cinema. He was awarded six Stal ...

, then a major force in the Soviet film industry, suggested to him to begin work on his film

Carnival Night ''Carnival Night'' (russian: Карнавальная ночь, Karnavalnaya noch) is a 1956 Soviet musical film. It is Eldar Ryazanov's first big-screen film, Lyudmila Gurchenko's first role and also one of the most famous films starring popular ...

. At first, Ryazanov refused, as he wanted to make "serious films", but then was convinced to begin, as Pyryev believed that "anybody could shoot a melodrama, but only a few can create good comedy." He won instant success, and began to release more films. He was named a

People's Artist of the USSR People's Artist of the USSR ( rus, Народный артист СССР, Narodny artist SSSR), also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to artists of the Soviet Union. Nomenclature and significan ...

in 1984, and received the

USSR State Prize The USSR State Prize (russian: links=no, Государственная премия СССР, Gosudarstvennaya premiya SSSR) was the Soviet Union's state honor. It was established on 9 September 1966. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, t ...

in 1977. He won the

Nika Award The Nika Award (sometimes styled NIKA Award) is the main annual national film award in Russia, presented by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Science, and seen as the national equivalent of the Oscars. History The award was established i ...

for Best Director in 1991 for the film ''

Promised Heaven ''Promised Heaven'' (russian: Небеса обетованные, translit=Nebesa obetovannye, italic=yes) is a 1991 Soviet film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The film is a fantastical social tragicomedy. Plot The movie is set in against the dusk ...

''. Among his most famous films are ''

'' (1955), ''

Hussar Ballad ''The Hussar Ballad'' (russian: Гусарская баллада, Gusarskaya ballada) is a 1962 Soviet musical film by Eldar Ryazanov, filmed on Mosfilm. In effect, it is one of the best loved musical comedies in Russia. With most of its dialog ...

'' (1962), ''

Beware of the Car ''Beware of the Car'' (russian: Береги́сь автомоби́ля, translit. ''Beregis Avtomobilya'', English titles ''Uncommon Thief'', or ''Watch out for the Automobile'') is a 1966 Soviet crime comedy drama film directed by Eldar R ...

'' (1966), ''

The Irony of Fate ''The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!'' (russian: Ирония судьбы, или С лёгким паром!, literally: The Irony of Fate, or With A Light Steam; trans. ''Ironiya sudby, ili S lyogkim parom!''), usually shortened to ''The ...

'' (1975), ''

Office Romance ''Office Romance'' (russian: links=no, italic=yes, Служебный роман, Sluzhebny roman) is a 1977 Soviet comedy film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The film's plot is based on the stageplay ''Co-workers'' (') written by Ryazanov and Emil B ...

'' (1977), '' The Garage'' (1980), A Railway Station for Two (1982) and '' A Cruel Romance'' (1984). Ryazanov's main genre was

tragicomedy Tragicomedy is a literary genre that blends aspects of both tragedy, tragic and comedy, comic forms. Most often seen in drama, dramatic literature, the term can describe either a tragic play which contains enough comic elements to lighten the ov ...

Illness and death

Ryazanov had an acute

ischemic stroke A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functionin ...

in November 2014. He was admitted to a Moscow hospital on 21 November 2015 due to shortness of breath. He died around midnight on 30 November 2015, of heart and lung failure, at the age of 88.

Legacy

Ryazanov was one of the most successful film directors of the Soviet Union, and his films are still well-known in the post-USSR landscape. ''The Irony of Fate'' is still aired every December 31 in most post-USSR countries except for Ukraine. A street in Moscow was named after him in 2017, and a museum and memorial dedicated to his memory was opened on the site of his childhood home in Samara.

Honours and awards

Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" The Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" (russian: Орден «За заслуги перед Отечеством», ''Orden "Za zaslugi pered Otechestvom"'') is a state decoration of the Russian Federation. It was instituted on 2 March 1994 by P ...

; **2nd class (3 July 2008) – for outstanding contribution to the development of national cinema and many years of creative activity **3rd class (20 June 1996) – for services to the state, an outstanding contribution to the development of national cinema and culture *

Order of the Red Banner of Labour The Order of the Red Banner of Labour (russian: Орден Трудового Красного Знамени, translit=Orden Trudovogo Krasnogo Znameni) was an order of the Soviet Union established to honour great deeds and services to th ...

, twice (1969, 1977) *

Order of Friendship of Peoples The Order of Friendship of Peoples (russian: oрден Дружбы народов, translit=orden Druzhby narodov) was an order of the Soviet Union, and was awarded to persons (including non-citizens), organizations, enterprises, military unit ...

(1987) *Order of the "Key of Friendship" (Kemerovo Region, 2007) *Commander of the

Order of Arts and Letters The ''Ordre des Arts et des Lettres'' (Order of Arts and Letters) is an order of France established on 2 May 1957 by the Minister of Culture. Its supplementary status to the was confirmed by President Charles de Gaulle in 1963. Its purpose is ...

(France) *Commander of the

Order of Honour (Georgia) Orders, decorations, and medals of Georgia are the orders, state decorations and medals that are granted by the national government of Georgia for meritorious achievements in national defense, state improvement, and the development of democracy and ...

(2008) *

People's Artist of the RSFSR People's Artist of the RSFSR (russian: Народный артист РСФСР, ''Narodnyj artist RSFSR'') was an honorary title granted to Soviet Union artists, including theatre and film directors, choreographers, music performers, and orchest ...

(1974) *

(1984) *

(1977) (for the film "Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!") *

Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR The Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR was an annual State Prize established by the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR in 1965. Three Vasilyev Brothers prizes were awarded annually from 1966 until 1990 for cinematographic works of all kinds ( ...

(1979) (for the film "Office Romance") *Winner of the

All-Union Film Festival The All-Union Film Festival (russian: Всесоюзный кинофестиваль; tr.:''Vsesoyuznyy kinofestival'', also known as ВКФ; ''VKF'') was one of the most important film festivals of the Soviet Union. It was founded in 1958 and he ...

in the "First Prize among the comedies" for 1958 *Winner of the All-Union Film Festival in the "Special Award" for 1983 *

Nika award The Nika Award (sometimes styled NIKA Award) is the main annual national film award in Russia, presented by the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Science, and seen as the national equivalent of the Oscars. History The award was established i ...

s; **Best Director (1991) **Best Fiction Film (1991) **Honour and dignity (2006) *Winner of

Tsarskoye Selo Tsarskoye Selo ( rus, Ца́рское Село́, p=ˈtsarskəɪ sʲɪˈlo, a=Ru_Tsarskoye_Selo.ogg, "Tsar's Village") was the town containing a former residence of the Russian imperial family and visiting nobility, located south from the cen ...

Art Prize (2005) *The

asteroid An asteroid is a minor planet of the inner Solar System. Sizes and shapes of asteroids vary significantly, ranging from 1-meter rocks to a dwarf planet almost 1000 km in diameter; they are rocky, metallic or icy bodies with no atmosphere. ...

4258 Ryazanov is named after him.

Filmography

*1950 ''They are Studying in Moscow'' (''Oni Uchatsya v Moskve''), documentary – author (in co-operation with Z. Fomina) *1951 ''The Way Named October'' (''Doroga imeni Oktyabrya''), documentary – Director (in co-operation with L. Derbysheva) *1952 ''On the World Chess 8Championship'' (''Na Pervenstve mira po shakhmatam''), documentary – Director *1953 ''Your Books'' (''Tvoi Knizhki''), documentary – Director (in co-operation with Z. Fomina) *1953 ''Near Krasnodar'' (''Nedaleko ot Krasnodara''), documentary – Director *1954 ''Island of Sakhalin'' (''Ostrov Sakhalin''), documentary – Director *1955 '' Spring Voices'' (''Весенние голоса''), documentary - second Director *1956 ''

'' (''Карнавальная ночь'') – Director *1957 '' The Girl Without Address'' (''Девушка без адреса'') – Director *1961 ''

How Robinson Was Created ''How Robinson Was Created'' (russian: Как создавался Робинзон, italic=yes, translit. ) is a 1961 short Soviet film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The film is part of the comedy anthology film series ''Absolutely Seriously ...

'' (''Как создавался Робинзон'') – Director *1961 '' The Man from Nowhere'' (''Человек ниоткуда'') – Director *1962 ''

'' (''Гусарская баллада'') – Director / Screenwriter *1965 ''

Give me a complaints book '' Give Me a Book of Complaints'' (russian: Дайте жалобную книгу, Dayte zhalobnuyu knigu, italic=yes is a 1965 Soviet comedy film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. Plot A group of young journalists accidentally walks into the restauran ...

'' (''Дайте жалобную книгу'') – Director / Actor: Chief editor *1966 ''

'' (''Берегись автомобиля'') – Director / Screenwriter *1968 ''

Zigzag of Success ''Zigzag of Success'' (russian: Зигзаг удачи, link=yes, translit. ''Zigzag udachi'') is a 1968 Soviet comedy film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. Plot Photo studio "Contemporary" in a provincial town lives with its everyday problems. ...

'' (''Зигзаг удачи'') – Director / Screenwriter *1971 ''

Grandads-Robbers ''Old Robbers'' (russian: Старики́–разбо́йники, Stariki-razboyniki, lit. "elderly bandits") is a 1972 Soviet comedy-drama by Eldar Ryazanov, filmed on Mosfilm. The movie title resembles the name of a Russian children's tradit ...

'' (''Старики-разбойники'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: The Passer-by *1974 '' Unbelievable Adventures of Italians in Russia'' (''Невероятные приключения итальянцев в России'') / Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Doctor *1975 ''

'' (''Ирония судьбы или с легким паром!'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Airplane Passenger *1977 ''

'' (''Служебный роман'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Bus Passenger *1979 '' The Garage'' (''Гараж'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Sleeping Man *1981 ''

Say a Word for the Poor Hussar ''Say a Word for the Poor Hussar'' (russian: О бедном гусаре замолвите слово, italic=yes), translit. . Literary “Put a good word for a poor hussar”) is a 1981 Soviet film directed by Eldar Ryazanov, shot in the ...

'' (''О бедном гусаре замолвите слово'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Confectioner *1982 '' Station for Two'' (''Вокзал для двоих'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Railroad Supervisor *1984 '' A Cruel Romance'' (''Жестокий романс'') – Director / Screenwriter *1987 ''

Forgotten Melody for a Flute ''Forgotten Melody for a Flute'' (russian: Забытая мелодия для флейты, Zabytaya melodiya dlya fleyty) is a 1987 Russian comedy film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The film's plot is based on the stage play of the same name wri ...

'' (''Забытая мелодия для флейты'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Astronomer *1988 ''

Dear Yelena Sergeyevna ''Dear Yelena Sergeyevna'' (russian: Дорогая Елена Сергеевна, Dorogaya Yelena Sergeyevna) is a 1988 Soviet drama film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. The film is based on an eponymous play by Lyudmila Razumovskaya. Plot …After ...

'' (''Дорогая Елена Сергеевна'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Neighbour *1991 ''

'' (''Небеса обетованные'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Man in Diner *1993 '' Prediction'' (''Предсказание'') – Director / Screenwriter *1996 '' Hello, Fools!'' (''Привет, дуралеи!'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Manager of the bookshop *2000 ''

Old Hags ''Old Hags'' (russian: Старые клячи, translit. ''Starye klyachi'', ''Old nags'', "Old useless horses") is a 2000 Russian comedy film directed by Eldar Ryazanov. Plot Four middle-aged women with different fates live in Moscow. On ...

'' (''Старые клячи'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Judge *2000 '' Still Waters'' (Тихие омуты) – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Radiologist / Producer *2003 ''

The Key of Bedroom ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (''Ключи от спальни'') – Director / Screenwriter / Actor: Police constable / Producer *2006 '' Carnival Night 2'' (TV) – Director / Actor (Cameo appearance) *2006 '' Andersen. Life Without Love'' – Director / Screenwriter (with I. Kvirikadze) / Actor: Mortician / Producer *2007 ''

The Irony of Fate 2 ''The Irony of Fate 2'' or ''The Irony of Fate: Continuation'' (russian: Ирония Судьбы. Продолжение; ''Ironiya sud’by. Prodolzheniye'') is a 2007 Russian romantic comedy film directed by Timur Bekmambetov based on a screenp ...

'' – Actor (

Cameo appearance A cameo role, also called a cameo appearance and often shortened to just cameo (), is a brief appearance of a well-known person in a work of the performing arts. These roles are generally small, many of them non-speaking ones, and are commonly eit ...

)

References

;Additional sources *David MacFadyen, ''The Sad Comedy of Elʹdar Riazanov: An Introduction to Russia's Most Popular Filmmaker,'' McGill-Queen's Press: 2003,

External links

* * *
Russian fan site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ryazanov, Eldar 1927 births 2015 deaths 20th-century Russian dramatists and playwrights 20th-century Russian male actors 20th-century Russian poets 21st-century Russian dramatists and playwrights 21st-century Russian male actors 21st-century Russian poets Writers from Samara, Russia Academicians of the Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences "Nika" Chevaliers of the Légion d'honneur Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Commandeurs of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography alumni High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors faculty People's Artists of the RSFSR People's Artists of the USSR Recipients of the Nika Award Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 2nd class Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class Recipients of the Order of Friendship of Peoples Recipients of the Order of Honor (Georgia) Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Recipients of the USSR State Prize Recipients of the Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR Russian people of Jewish descent Soviet people of Jewish descent Russian documentary filmmakers Russian dramatists and playwrights Russian film directors Russian male film actors Russian male poets 20th-century Russian screenwriters Male screenwriters 20th-century Russian male writers Russian television presenters Soviet documentary film directors Soviet dramatists and playwrights Soviet film directors Soviet male film actors Soviet male poets Soviet screenwriters Soviet television presenters Burials at Novodevichy Cemetery Actors from Samara, Russia