Mikhail Kalatozov
Directing
- Born
- December 28, 1903 · Tiflis, Russian Empire [now Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia]
- Died
- March 27, 1973 (age 69)
Mikhail Kalatozov (28 December 1903 – 27 March 1973; born Mikheil Kalatozishvili) was a Soviet film director of Georgian origin who contributed to both Georgian and Russian cinema film director best known for his films The Cranes Are Flying (1957) and Soy Cuba (1964). The former won the Palme d'Or at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival. In 1969, he received the People's Artist of the USSR accolade.
Kalatozov studied economics and changed many professions before starting his career as an actor and later — as a cinematographer. He directed several documentaries, including Their Kingdom (1928, with Nutsa Gogoberidze, the first Georgian female director) and Salt for Svanetia (1930).
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In 1933, Kalatozov enrolled to the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts. Three years later, he oversaw Kartuli Pilmi, then he was suggested a place at the USSR State Committee for Cinematography. In 1939, he moved to Leningrad to work at Lenfilm as a director. During World War II, he made several propaganda films and worked as a cultural attaché at the Soviet embassy in the United States.
Known for
Behind the camera25
- 1977Cafe «Izotop» Writer
- 1969The Red Tent Director, Additional Writing
- 1964I Am Cuba Director
- 1960Letter Never Sent Director
- 1958The Variegateds Case Producer
- 1957The Cranes Are Flying Director
- 1956Hostile Whirlwinds Director
- 1955The First Echelon Director
- 1954True Friends Director
- 1950Conspiracy of the Doomed Director
