Background
Medvedkin, Aleksandr was born on March 8, 1900 in Penza.
Medvedkin, Aleksandr was born on March 8, 1900 in Penza.
Began as a scriptwriter at Gosvoenkino (State Military Cinema), 1927. Assistant director at Sovkino, 1929. First film as a director, 1930.
Specialized in satires in the form of fairy-tales, which were in fact political propaganda. First full-length film and his most important was Happiness, 1934, which was criticized by the Soviet press and not released until 1963. Two other important films, Miracle-Girl, 1936, and The New Moscow, 1938, were both attacked, and Medvedkin accused of formalism.
They remained shelved until the 1960s when they became classics. During the late 1930s and World War II worked on propaganda documentaries. Produced nothing of significance.
Disappeared from the scene. Regarded as a major Soviet director of the 1930s abroad, rather than in the Soviet Union.