Published on: 2026-06-03
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
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On June 3, it will be 120 years since the birth of the outstanding figure of Soviet cinema — actor, director, and teacher Sergei Gerasimov (1906–1985). His biography resembles a screenplay: first he worked at a factory, then studied as an artist, but in the end fate led him to the world of stage art and directing.
Sergey Gerasimov’s contribution to the development of cinema is difficult to overestimate: he not only created iconic films, but also nurtured several generations of filmmakers. Among his students are People’s Artists of the USSR, directors and actors: Sergey Bondarchuk, Tatyana Lioznova, Lev Kulidzhanov, and many others.
The All-Russian State University of Cinematography (VGIK) is named after Sergey Gerasimov. And many masterpieces of the master were created precisely atGorky Film Studio, subordinate to the capitalDepartment of Culture.
“Young Guard”: forge of future stars
The idea of adapting “Young Guard” arose with Sergei Gerasimov in February 1946 — at that time Alexander Fadeyev’s novel existed only in typewritten copy. The work is based on real events: it is about the feat of an underground anti-fascist organization, most of whose members were teenagers.
The film set a record for the number of acting debuts. The young guards were played by students of acting faculties, among whom are future People’s Artists of the USSR Inna Makarova, Nonna Mordyukova, Sergey Bondarchuk, and Vyacheslav Tikhonov. Future directors also participated in the work: Tatyana Lioznova, Yuri Yegorov, Yuri Pobedonostsev. Filming took place at locations of authentic events, and the group was consulted by surviving participants of the underground.
The film became the first movie of the studio after it was renamed in honor of Maxim Gorky (previously it was called ‘Soyuzdetfilm’). In 1949, the film was awarded the Stalin Prize of the first degree.
“Tikhiy Don”: a masterpiece by Mikhail Sholokhov and Sergei Gerasimov
The film adaptation of “Quiet Don” by Gerasimov was conceived back in 1939, but the idea was only successfully realized in 1957-1958. The director himself wrote the screenplay, and Mikhail Sholokhov participated in the casting of the actors. For example, Elena Bystritskaya was approved for the role of Aksinya. Radically, she had to lose 15 kilograms and live in Cossack attire along with the actresses playing other key female roles — Lyudmila Khityayeva, Zinaida Kiriyenko, and Natalya Arinbasarova. Petr Glebov received the role of Grigory Melekhov practically by chance: Sergey Gerasimov noticed him in the crowd scenes.
The filming lasted about two years. It began at the Gorky Film Studio pavilion, and then the crew moved to the village near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky in the Rostov region. There they built the decorations of the Tatar village: a hut, a square with a church, and the Listnitsky estate.
“The Tin Drum” became the box office leader, watched by 47 million viewers. The film also gained international recognition: in 1958, the production crew received the major “Crystal Globe” award in Karlovy Vary and a Directors Guild of America diploma for the best foreign film.
“Red and Black”: from a diploma performance to a five-part saga
The stage adaptation of Stendhal’s novel was preceded by a diploma production of the workshop of Sergei Gerasimov and Tamara Makarova at VGIK. In 1972, the production was added to the repertoire of the Actor’s Theater Studio, and in 1976 the director filmed it with the same actors: Nikolay Eremenko as the younger (Julien Sorel), Natalya Bondarchuk (Madame de Rênal), Natalya Belovostikova (Mathilde de La Mole).
The story of the carpenter’s son striving to overcome the limitations of his origin was unusual for Soviet times — and this is precisely what attracted the director. He aimed to stay as true as possible to the source. “To convey what Stendhal said. I don’t want anything more,” Sergei Gerasimov noted.
The premiere of the five-part film took place on June 23, 1976. The film was distinguished by the work of cinematographers Alexander Reviasvili and Roman Tsurtsumi, production designer Petr Pashkevich, and costume designer Eleonora Maklakova. The role of Julien Sorel made Nikolai Eremenko a beloved figure for millions of viewers.
“Journalist”: Paris on screen and director in the frame
The two-part film “Journalist” was directed by Sergey Gerasimov based on his own screenplay. The plot follows a Moscow correspondent who travels to a small town in the Urals to investigate a complaint made by a local resident, and in the process not only gathers material for a report but also finds love.
The image of Shura Okayemova was created by the director specifically for his student Galina Polskikh. This role became one of the best in her career. The main male role was performed by the actor of the Maly Theater Yuri Vasilyev. Constant collaborators of Sergey Gerasimov worked on the film: cinematographer Vladimir Rapoport and artist Petr Galadjev. The first episode was filmed in Miass, Chelyabinsk region, the second— in Paris, and overseas filming was then a rarity. The participation of Annie Girardot and Mireille Mathieu added a special charm to the project. Gerasimov himself played the experienced journalist Kolesnikov in the film.
In July 1967, the painting received the Grand Prize V of the Moscow International Film Festival.
The Petrei Dynasty: from Suzdal to Moscow
The paintings “Youth of Peter” and “In the Beginning of Glorious Deeds” were filmed based on the novel by Alexey Tolstoy “Peter the First” in cooperation with the GDR film studio. The group prepared for the project for quite a long time. The costume artist Eleonora Maklakova studied numerous historical sources and descriptions in order to create images for all the characters. Three production artists and two cameramen worked on the films. Filming locations included Suzdal, Murom, Belgorod-Dniester, the surroundings of Kostroma, and the Novodevichy Monastery in Moscow. For the sea scenes, ships were specially built — this became a standard for historical cinema.
Dmitry Zolotukhin, a graduate of the MKhAT School-Studio, made his debut in the role of young Petr. Thorough preparation for the role brought the actor fame. The film also featured Tamara Makarova, Oleg Strizhenov, Alexander Belyavsky, and students of Sergey Gerasimov: Nikolai Yeremenko Jr., Natalya Bondarchuk, Vadim Spiridonov, and Lyubov Polekhina. The involvement of German actors through cooperation with the DEFA film studio enhanced the international context of the project.
Sergey Gerasimov received the special prize of the All-Union Film Festival in Vilnius for these paintings.
World of crafts and fairy tales: the “Moskino” cinema park invites you to the “Tradition” festivalThe summer season opens on May 30 at the “Moskino” cinema park
Gorky Film StudioA is one of the oldest and largest in Russia. It has released over a thousand films, including “Seventeen Moments of Spring”, “Officers”, “Morozko”, “…And the Dawns Here Are Quiet”, “Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka”, “Guest from the Future” and many others.
Today, the studio is heading to the Moscow film cluster and reviving its own film production. The production center releases feature and documentary films, popular science series, and TV shows for a young and family audience.
On two sites — the historic one (on Sergei Eisenstein Street) and the new one (in Valdai Passage) — film pavilions, camera, screening halls, a virtual production pavilion, a costume and props complex, digital content studios, and the “Gorky-ROLL” cinema hall operate. A creative space “Gorky Film Campus” has been created for beginner filmmakers, and tours are conducted. The film studio also holds festivals, exhibitions, and professional events.
Moscow film cluster, developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the project “Moscow — City of Cinema,” unites the film park “Moskino”, the Gorky Film Studio, the “Moskino” film factory, the homonymous network of cinemas, as well as the film commission and the film platform “Moskino”.
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