The outstanding Russian and American film director, screenwriter, writer and producer.
Background
Andrei Mikhalkov-Konchalovsky was born on 20 August 1937.
His parents were very popular too. His mother, Natalia Konchalovskaya is a famous Soviet children's writer and translator, she was the daughter of the famous Russian artist Pyotr Konchalovsky. His father Sergei Mikhalkov was a brilliant Soviet poet, the author of both the lyrics to the Soviet national anthem and the current Russian one and the biggest name in Soviet children’s literature. Andrei Konchalovsky is Nikita Mikhalkov’s brother who is also a talented Russian film director.
In 1966 changes in his personal life had happened. Andrei met a ballerina Natalia Arinbasarova who soon became his wife. In 1971 he divorces with Natalia Abrinbasarova and marries Vivien Mikhalkova. A new marriage with TV anchor Irina Martynova was waiting for him in the 90's. His last wife is a Russian actress Julia Vysotskaya.
Education
Andrei Konchalovsky's spend his childhood in Moscow. The boy had perfect pitch and musical ability. In 1952 he finished the Moscow Central Music School for gifted children and in 1957 he graduated from Music College of the Moscow Conservatory in piano. It is interesting that at this time he married a ballet dancer Irina Kandat s. Their marriage lasted two years. Then the future filmmaker enters the Moscow Conservatory, but two years later, he drops his studies. He understood that he has another vocation. He was captivated by cinematography and stage direction.
In 1960, Andrei Konchalovsky entered the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK), the directing department. He was lucky from the beginning. The course was gained by one of the founders of the Soviet cinema, the great Mikhail Romm. He is the director whose films are still delighting audience all over the world. During his studies, the fortune gave Andrew a meeting with another legendary man, his namesake, Andrei Tarkovsky. In 1962, a young Konchalovsky plays a cameo role in the cult film produced by Tarkovsky "Ivan's Childhood". He also plays in other cameo roles.
In 1965, Andrei Konchalovsky brilliantly graduated from VGIK. For his feature debut film “The First Teacher” (1966), he chose the book by Chingis Aitmatov. At that time he was inspired by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, whose name is forever inscribed in the history of cinema.
Career
Even at the very beginning, his life wasn’t that top-notch. His second film "Asya Klyachina's Story "(1966) was "put on the shelf", because it failed to comply with the strict requirements of the Russian censorship of that period. The viewers could see it only in 1988. These two films can be referred to the first period of Andrei Konchalovsky’s career.
Beginning from 1969 the young director dedicated himself to making two literary adaptations of the works of classical Russian literature. In 1969, he staged a film based on the novel by Turgenev “A Nest of Gentlefolk” (1969) and filmed the play “Uncle Vanya” (1970) written by Chekhov. After the staging of this film he received his first award: he was honored at San Sebastian Film Festival in 1971.
The second major award of a young director is a special prize at the Cannes Film Festival, which he received in 1979 for the epic "Sibiriada." In 1980, the works by Andrei Konchalovsky was estimated at the highest level. He was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Russian SFSR, his films are popular and loved.
Andrei Konchalovsky never stops at what has been accomplished. In 1980, he receives a great honor: he was invited to shoot in Hollywood. So American period begins in his life which lasts for 10 years. Of course, Andrei Konchalovsky made films, but he lacked the special spiritual enrichment which the person’s homeland only can give. In the early 90's Andrei Konchalovsky returned to Russia and immediately joined the cinematic life of the country. In 1994, he filmed a sort of continuation of “The Story of Asya Klyachina” - the film “Ryaba, My Chicken”. In 1997 the series "Odyssey" appeared which got the Emmy Award (American television award).
The 2000s is a period of his filigree works. Andrei Konchalovsky shoots a lot of "House of Fools" (2002), a historical drama "The Lion in Winter" (2003), "Gloss." (2007), "The Nutcracker" (2010). In the films shot by Andrei Konchalovsky his last wife the beautiful Russian actress Julia Vysotskaya is actively involved.
Andrei Konchalovsky is one of the best Russian film and theater directors. He works successfully not only in Russia, but also abroad. Each time he amazes the audience by deep, mature and workmanlike films. He founded the "Andrei Konchalovsky’s Production Centre", he has a lot of students that love their Master!
Interesting facts from Andrei Konchalovsky’s life
Andrei Konchalovsky is a perfect pianist;
Andrei Konchalovsky was married five times and has five children;
Andrei Konchalovsky is the author of 6 books and 100 articles;
Andrei Konchalovsky is the great-grandson of the great Russian painter Vasily Surikov;
Andrei Konchalovsky staged not only movies and performances but also operas.