While still at school, Iya Savvina (biography, personal life of the actress is described below) participated in amateur performances. And at the university she often played in the student theater. This laid the foundation for a future acting career. After all, the girl had no theater education. Fortunately, on her life’s journey, Iya Savvina (see photo below) met people who gave her a piece of their own knowledge. Communication with them was already a kind of training. This article will describe a brief biography of the actress.
Childhood
Iya Savvina was born in Voronezh in 1936. After the end of World War II, the father left the family, and the girl was left alone with her mother. She became an idol for her daughter. Iya was always proud of her own mother. After all, Vera Ivanovna turned out to be the only student on the course who graduated from the Voronezh Medical Institute and became an excellent doctor. But, despite her admiration for her mother, Iya Savvina chose a different profession - philologist. Here the girl's first disappointment awaited her. Arriving in the capital, the future actress learned about the end of admission of applicants to the Faculty of Philology of Moscow State University. After some thought, the girl applied to the journalism department of the same university. Fortunately, Iya got in, beating out many applicants. In 1958, she successfully graduated from Moscow State University.
Childhood and youth
The girl was raised by her stepfather, who was a military man. Because of his profession, the family often had to move from one city to another; Iya’s childhood years were spent in Feodosia, Krasny Liman and Borinsk, Voronezh region. Despite frequent moves, Savvina studied well at school and graduated with a gold medal. She read a lot, she was fascinated by any books - from fairy tales to classical works. She often took part in productions of the school theater group.
Even during her school years, the girl began to dream of continuing her studies at the Faculty of Philology and only wanted to enroll at Moscow State University. Iya thought that she would get a diploma and start teaching children at school. The medal gave Savvina some benefits upon admission - she did not have to take exams, but only undergo an interview. But, having arrived in Moscow, she learned that admission of applicants with medals to the Faculty of Philology had already been completed.
After thinking, Iya decided to apply to the journalism faculty, which had just become independent. The competition was thirteen people for one place. The first medalists came out of the interview in shock; they were asked to tell something about the history of the Chinese Communist Party. And Iya’s name helped her out. When she entered and the members of the selection committee looked at her documents, the first thing they asked was what the original name meant. Iya answered honestly: “I don’t know, I wasn’t interested.” Then they asked who her favorite poet was, Savvina answered that Mayakovsky and began to read his poems. She was told to come tomorrow. The next day the girl came to the university and found out that she was enrolled.
Teachers
Perhaps Iya’s first mentor was Igor Lipsky, an actor at the Vakhtangov Theater who headed the student theater group. It was he who recognized great hidden talent in the girl with a silver voice and clear eyes. When director Rolan Bykov staged the play “Such Love” based on the book by Pavel Kogout, Lipsky recommended that he cast Savvina in the key role. But when they first met, Roland did not see Iya as the main character. On the other hand, Bykov was pleased to work with her. When the first rehearsal took place, Savvina could not be heard even in the front row. Then Rolan Antonovich explained to the aspiring actress what a message to the audience was.
Iya Savvina learned her lesson well. Subsequently, she embodied the image of Lydia Matisova so realistically that Bykov simply could not get enough of it. The play “Such Love” has always been a constant success. Iya received the status of “actress” among students. Savvina always smiled modestly when she received praise from her fellow students, but her soul was bursting with pride. The girl firmly decided not to leave the theater, while working as a journalist.
Also, the formation of the heroine of this article was greatly influenced by Nikolai Mordvinov, Vera Maretskaya, Faina Ranevskaya and Oleg Efremov. Iya Savvina, whose biography is in many film encyclopedias, spoke especially warmly about cameraman Andrei Moskvin. She considered him a genius and the main person on the set. Andrei Nikolaevich could always cheer up Savvina. When the actress lost everything, he took her to the camera room and gave her his signature tea.
First film role
Playing in the student theater, Iya Savvina, whose personal life had not yet been arranged, did not even suspect about imminent fame. Director Joseph Kheifits was going to stage the film “The Lady with the Dog” based on the story by Chekhov. Alexey Batalov agreed to play the role of Gurov. The female role was still vacant. Batalov himself helped Kheifits with his choice. Once Alexey Vladimirovich watched a performance in the student theater. Savvina played one of the roles there. The girl amazed Batalov with her naturalness, which, unfortunately, was absent among experienced actresses. Joseph trusted the artist’s advice and approved Iya for the main role. Savvina embodied the image of the chaste and captivating St. Petersburg woman Anna Sergeevna. The film was a great success and received several international awards. And Ia herself received a letter with words of gratitude from Faina Ranevskaya herself. This was the best proof of the talent of the heroine of this article.
Theater
After the premiere of “Lady with a Dog,” Iya was invited to the Mossovet Theater. She immediately joined the main cast of the troupe and appeared on the same stage with the luminaries of theatrical art - Ranevskaya, Plyatt, Orlova, Maretskaya. She made her debut in the leading role in the production of "Nora". The success was stunning. After the premiere, Orlova, who had previously played the same role in the play, sent Iya flowers with a note: “To Nora from Nora.”
Savvina worked at the Mossovet Theater for seventeen years and during this time played many bright, memorable roles:
- Waving at Leningradsky Prospekt;
- Valya in “Conscience”;
- Sofya Mikhailovna Marmeladova in “Petersburg Dreams”;
- Sasha Dushechkina in “Turbaz”;
- Farry in The Strange Mrs. Savage.
In 1977, the artistic director of the Moscow Art Theater Oleg Efremov invited Iya to his theater. She played on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater until its collapse, from 1989 until her death she was in the main composition of the Chekhov Moscow Art Theater. The most brilliant roles of this period:
- Polina Andreevna in “The Seagull”;
- Lika in the Moscow Choir;
- Voinitskaya in “Uncle Van”;
- Valeria in "Duck Hunt";
- Marina Lvovna in "Dachniki".
For many years, Savvina was involved in the production of “Christmas Dreams.” She called this performance “Ministry of Emergency Situations”. If something went wrong in the theater, someone got sick and it was necessary to urgently change the performance, then they staged “Christmas Dreams.” Only he could save the box office. She spent almost the entire role in a chair, but when she stood up, the applause in the audience could not be stopped. For this role, Iya received the Crystal Turandot.
1960s
One of the most notable works of this decade was the above-mentioned “Lady with a Dog.” Also worth mentioning is O, filmed by Alexander Borisov based on the novel by Dostoevsky. It became one of many anti-religious films that came out at that time and marked the times of the “Khrushchev Thaw.” It’s nice to watch the meekness and kindness of Ksenia, played by Iya. At the end of the film, she was punished for sinful love.
In 1967, Iya Savvina, whose photo appeared in many newspapers across the country, played the role of Dolly in the feature film “Anna Karenina.” The heroine of the film is quite exhausted by the illnesses of her children, a hectic and huge house, childbirth and the betrayals of her husband, who is bursting with health and irresponsible, like a spoiled child.
Biography of Iya Savvina
While studying at the university, she played in the amateur artistic circle of Moscow State University, which was led by the actor of the Vakhtangov Theater Igor Lipsky. Savvina played her first major role as Lida Matisova in 1957 in the play “Such Love” by Pavel Kogout, staged by Rolan Bykov on the student stage and which became a sensation in the capital.
Since 1960, she worked at the Mossovet Theater. Among the actress’s roles are Nora in the play of the same name based on Henrik Ibsen, Sonya in “Petersburg Dreams” based on Fyodor Dostoevsky, Fairy in “The Strange Mrs. Savage” by John Patrick, Sasha Dushechkina in “Tour Center” by Edward Radzinsky, Masha in “Leningradsky Prospect” by Isidor Stock.
In February 1979, Iya Savvina entered the Moscow Art Theater (since 1989 - Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov, since 2004 - Moscow Art Theater named after A.P. Chekhov), in whose performances she began to participate since 1977. Her first role in the theater was Marya Lvovna in “Summer Residents” by Maxim Gorky. Then she played Vyaznikova in “Feedback” by Vladimir Shlesinger, Mother in “Eldorado” by Alla Sokolova, Galina in “Duck Hunt” by Alexander Vampilov. Among the roles of the actress in the theater are Polina Andreevna in “The Seagull”, Voinitskaya in “Uncle Vanya”, Zinaida Savishna in “Ivanov” and Charlotte in “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Chekhov, Kabanova in “The Thunderstorm” by Alexander Ostrovsky, Khlestova in “Woe from Wit” Alexandra Griboedova, Kollontai in the production “So We Will Win!” Mikhail Shatrov and others.
In the last years of her life, Iya Savvina was involved in the plays “The New American” based on Sergei Dovlatov, “Christmas Dreams” based on the play by Nadezhda Ptushkina, “Cat and Mouse” based on the play by the Hungarian writer and playwright Istvan Erken.
In cinema, Iya Savvina made her debut in the leading role in the film “The Lady with the Dog” (1960) directed by Joseph Kheifits. The role of Anna Sergeevna made Savvina a cinematic star. The actress was awarded a special prize at the Cannes International Film Festival as the best female performer.
Savvina played about 50 roles in films.
She starred in the films “The Sinner” (1962), “They Ring, Open the Door” (1965), “In the City of S” (1966), “The Story of Asya Klyachina, Who Loved, but Didn’t Get Married” (1966), “Anna Karenina "(1967), "Two Comrades Served" (1968), "Plot for a Short Story" (1969), "The Month of August" (1971), "Red Sun" (1972), "Every Day of Doctor Kalinnikova" (1973), “Clouds” (1973), “The Last Exploit of Kamo” (1973), “Romance of Lovers” (1974), “Diary of a School Principal” (1975), “The Nose” (1977), “Confusion of Feelings” (1977), “ Alien" (1978), "Garage" (1979), "Tears Fell" (1982), "Private Life" (1982), "Last on, lasted on, charm..." (1984), "I am the outpost counselor" (1986) , “Remember me like this” (1987), “Plot for two stories” (1991), “Trotsky” (1993), “Chekhov and Co.” (1998), “Two Comrades” (2000), “Hello, capital!” (2003), “Bed Scenes” (2003), “A Place in the Sun” (2004), “Listening to the Silence” (2007), “Can You Hear Me? "(2007), etc.
Iya Savvina was the scriptwriter, presenter and actress in the research films “Heroines of Alexander Ostrovsky’s plays” (1983), “Theatre I.S. Turgenev" (1986). As a director, she staged the television play “In a Beautiful and Furious World” (1967).
The actress also voiced Piglet in the animated films “Winnie the Pooh”, “Winnie the Pooh Comes to Visit”, “Winnie the Pooh and the Day of Care”.
Devoting herself to theater and cinema, Iya Savvina did not give up her journalistic activities. She is the author of the book “Articles from Various Years” (1996), which contains memoir portraits of stage masters.
On television, the actress hosted educational programs dedicated to Russian art. She was the author and presenter of programs about the work of writers Vera Panova and Andrei Platonov. As part of the training program of Central Television, she prepared programs dedicated to the classics of Russian literature - Alexander Pushkin, Ivan Turgenev, Nikolai Nekrasov, Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin and others.
Iya Savvina made her radio debut as a member of the student theater. Among her radio works are programs for children: the radio show “Wild Dog Dingo” based on Reuben Fraerman, “Telegram” based on Konstantin Paustovsky. Together with actor Alexei Batalov, she prepared correspondence between Anton Chekhov and Lika Mizinova, and participated in Batalov’s directorial work based on Ivan Bunin.
Iya Savina’s work has been awarded various awards. In 1990, she was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR. She was a laureate of the State Prizes of the USSR (1983, for the role of Natalya Ilyinichna in the film “Private Life”) and the RSFSR (1990, for the main role in the film “The Story of Asya Klyachina, who loved, but did not marry”). She was awarded the Order of Friendship (1996) and “For Services to the Fatherland”, IV degree (2006).
For the best actress of the 1998/1999 theatrical season in the play at the Moscow Art Theater. A.P. Chekhov's "Christmas Dreams" Savvina was awarded the Highest Theater Prize of Moscow "Crystal Turandot".
On August 27, 2011, Iya Savina died in Moscow. She was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.
Iya Savina was married to a scientist - hydrogeologist, Doctor of Technical Sciences Vsevolod Shestakov, with whom she played in the Moscow State University Student Theater. The second husband of the actress was the artist of the Taganka Theater Anatoly Vasiliev.
Iya Savvina has a son from her first marriage, amateur artist Sergei Shestakov, who was born with Down syndrome.
The material was prepared based on information from RIA Novosti and open sources
1970s
These years brought the actress many bright roles. Iya Savvina (the artist’s biography and personal life are described in many thematic encyclopedias) participated in many projects, but only three became the most notable: “Diary of a School Principal”, “Open Book” and “Garage”. The latter brought her even more popularity.
The plot of the satirical comedy "Garage", filmed in 1979, was based on a real incident - a meeting of a construction and garage cooperative. It was in it that the director of the film, Eldar Ryazanov, was a member. Throughout the entire film, the issue of excluding “extra” shareholders in connection with the surrender of part of the territory for the construction of the highway is being resolved. Savvina played deputy director Lydia Anikeeva. At the end of the film, she was one of three members who were expelled from the co-op. The reason was banal - Anikeeva’s car was stolen. And according to the organization’s charter, a person without a car cannot be a member. Even her high position and existing regalia did not help.
1980s
This decade was not very fruitful for the actress. Iya Savvina, whose personal life did not interfere with her work, starred in nine films. The most notable projects were the tragicomedy “Tears Dropped,” the film story “Our Calling” and the drama “Three Years.”
I would also like to mention O, which was directed by Yuri Raizman in 1982. Iya embodied the image of Abrikosov’s wife Natalya Ilyinichna. The main character of the film, who works as a director of an enterprise, is soon to retire. Only now he realized that he practically did not know how to live an ordinary life, finding himself “out of work.” Loneliness, jealousy and pity for his loved ones force him to reconsider his priorities and try to change everything... The film received many nominations and prizes at the Moscow and Venice festivals.
2000s
During these years, Iya Savvina played mainly episodic or supporting roles. For example, in the film “Two Comrades,” the actress embodied the image of the grandmother of one of the main characters. And in 2003, Iya Sergeevna took part in the filming of a youth film about a writer who wanted to become a director. In the same year, Savvina starred in the avant-garde melodrama “Bed Scenes.” Kirill Serebrennikov made it in the spirit of a reality show, where people completely distrust each other. The actress played the role of the main character's mother.
Savvina's roles at the Moscow Art Theater
Iya Savvina and actor and director Oleg Efremov. Museum of the Moscow Art Academic Theater, Moscow
In 1977, the artistic director of the Moscow Art Theater Oleg Efremov invited Savvina to join his troupe. “I came to work not at the Art Theater, but with Oleg Nikolaevich Efremov,” the artist later wrote. In this theater, Savvina made her debut in the play “Summer Residents” directed by Vladimir Salyuk. According to Efremov, she soon became one of the main actresses of the Moscow Art Theater and added a “pure, intelligent sound” to its productions.
...Having gone through a practical school, she actually excels not so much with her skill and sophistication, but with her rich intuition and talent, given by God. <…> Iya Savvina is an actress who attracts people to her. Which is very important, simply necessary in the theater. You can talk about anything seriously with her. Argue seriously. And also seriously sit at the table. But above all for her is the Theater.
Oleg Efremov (based on the book “Booklet for the anniversary”)
On the stage of the Moscow Art Theater they staged performances with the participation of the actress: “So we will win!”, “Meeting of the Party Committee”. Savvina often played in productions based on Chekhov’s stories and plays - “Uncle Vanya”, “The Cherry Orchard” and others, and in 1981, together with other Moscow Art Theater actors, she recorded the radio play “The Seagull”.
In the 1990s, Iya Savvina took part in the “Chekhov and Co.” project, which was dedicated to the centennial anniversary of the Moscow Art Theater, and played in productions of “The New American” based on the works of Sergei Dovlatov, “Cat and Mouse” and others. For the main female role in the play “Christmas Dreams” directed by Pyotr Stein in 1999, the artist was awarded the Highest Theater Prize in Moscow - “Crystal Turandot”.
Working on television
Iya Savvina (the artist’s biography and personal life were regularly discussed in the media) has worked a lot in this area. She was the author and presenter of a number of television programs about Russian writers: Saltykov-Shchedrin, Ostrovsky and Turgenev. In addition, Iya Sergeevna wrote several film studies notes about the work of L. Orlova, F. Ranevskaya, N. Urgant, M. Ulyanov, S. Yursky and others. Under her auspices, talented Moscow actors of different generations acted in films and first-class television workers worked at the head with director Thorstensen.
Personal life
While still studying at Moscow State University, Iya Savvina met Vsevolod Shestakov, a scientist who headed the department of geology. There was a legend about him at the university. It’s as if Vsevolod Mikhailovich came up with one important formula between his appearances on stage in the play “Arturo’s Career”. Subsequently, it was called “Shestakov’s formula” and was included in all textbooks.
Vsevolod and Iya became close because of their love for the student theater. They rehearsed and played together. And in the year of graduation, Iya Savvina, whose biography will become a role model for many actors, married Shestakov. The happy couple moved into an apartment on Frunzenskaya Embankment. It was always fun and noisy with them - scientists, friends and actors became regulars at their house. They made fun of each other, argued on various topics and read poetry until late.
Creation
Iya Savvina was born in Voronezh in 1936. She graduated from the Faculty of Journalism of Moscow State University in 1958. It was at Moscow State University that her relationship with the theater began. Here Iya first appeared on stage at the famous student theater of Moscow State University. Savvina never received an acting education; it was replaced by an amateur theater. Joseph Kheifits noticed her , who was then looking for an actress to play the role of the main character in the film adaptation of Chekhov’s . ” The film, released in 1960, was a great success and collected many prizes at international film festivals.
"Lady with a dog". 1960
An actress without professional education is successful in theater and cinema
Iya exchanges student amateur performances for the professional stage - he moves to the Theater. Mossovet . Many years later, in 1977, she joined the Moscow Art Theater .
In cinema, Savvina’s works come one after another. In the film “Every Day of Doctor Kalinnikova,” among others, her co-star was Olga Gobzeva , who later went to a monastery.
“Every day of Doctor Kalinnikova” 1973
The actress receives many offers from directors, including leading roles. Among them: “The Story of Asya Klyachina, who loved but did not marry” , “Two Comrades Served” , “Romance of Lovers” and of course the favorite comedy of many generations of viewers “Garage” , where Savvina superbly played the deputy. Director Anikeev.
“Garage” 1979
Eldar Ryazanov later recalled:
She played in my picture in such a way that there was not a single cliche gesture or look. Sometimes I even had the impression that I was making a film, and that it was not the actress, but the woman herself. I was in awe of her work...
The actress also tried her hand at animation. Here she did not have a large number of works, but she forever entered the history of Soviet animation by voicing Piglet in F. Khitruk’s wonderful films about Winnie the Pooh.
Iya Savvina was practically not involved in films in the 90s. But, nevertheless, she refused Andrei Konchalovsky’s to star in the sequel to “Asia Klyachina”, because she didn't like the script. As a result, the role of Savvina went to Inna Churikova .
Misfortune
The birth of a sick child - this is the trouble Vsevolod Shestakov and Iya Savvina soon encountered. Son Seryozha was born to a couple with Down syndrome. The actress was immediately offered to take the child to a special boarding school. But she resolutely refused. Iya independently developed Sergei’s ability to understand the world. Savvina also invited teachers home. Friends and colleagues advised the actress to quit her job for the sake of her son. But even here Iya Sergeevna flatly refused.
At that time, 98% of the USSR population was sure that such children were born exclusively into families of the mentally ill and alcoholics. And the same number of people handed them over to orphanages. “Don’t listen to anyone,” Iya Savvina thought to herself. The actress’s son eventually grew up to be a fairly independent person. Sergey speaks excellent English and loves painting and poetry. A personal exhibition was even organized in Moscow, where his still lifes were successfully exhibited. During the tour, answering questions from her fans, Iya Savvina always talked about her son with tears of happiness and joy. In doing so, she inspired other mothers and broke public stereotypes about children with Down syndrome.
Iya Savvina: how did the life of an actress become an “exception to the rule”?
Savvina is an amazing actress and an equally amazing person. Iya Sergeevna knows a lot of poems and recites them perfectly by heart. She has an amazing memory. She always teaches not only her own, but also all the roles in the play. One of the Moscow Art Theater actors once said that “Savvina knows how to see her image immediately... after the first reading of the play.”
I would like to say that her path was straight and clear from the very beginning. But that was not the case. Iya Savvina from Voronezh, was born on March 2, 1936 in an ordinary family. Their father left them with their mother when World War II ended. Iya Sergeevna was always proud of her mother, who was an excellent doctor. But the girl did not follow in her footsteps. Nobody insisted.
Iya decided to become a philologist. I went to Moscow on my own. But admission to the Faculty of Philology at Moscow State University was completed. I applied to the Faculty of Journalism and... got in, beating out many applicants. While still in her first year, she became a member of the student theater group, led by actor Igor Konstantinovich Lipsky.
In this calm girl with clear eyes and a silver voice, he discerned great acting talent. And when the actor and aspiring director Rolan Bykov decided to stage Pavel Kogout’s play “Such Love” with students, Lipsky suggested that he take Savvina in the main role. At first, Bykov did not see his heroine in the modest Iya. This is what he told his wife about it: “There is one nice girl in the theater. But which kind of heroine is she?”
But Savvina created the image of Lida Matisova so vitally that Rolan Antonovich was surprised and delighted. Subsequently, the play “Such Love” was always performed with constant success. Among the students, Iya was now only called an “actress.” She smiled back, although in her heart she was proud of herself. I decided that now I would never leave the theater, doing journalistic work.
Then still young Iya did not know that real glory awaited her ahead. Director Joseph Kheifetz, author of famous films - “Baltic Deputy”, “My Dear Man”, “The Rumyantsev Case”, was going to direct a film based on the story by A.P. Chekhov “The Lady with the Dog”. Two main roles... Actor Alexei Batalov agreed to create the image of Gurov in the film. But the female role...
The director was helped by Alexey Batalov, who once saw Iya Savvina in one of the performances at the student theater. She immediately struck him with her naturalness, which is difficult to find among experienced actresses. Joseph Kheifetz trusted the experience of the famous actor, and Iya Savvina was cast in the main role. This was her first role in a big movie. And what! There is a lot of sadness in this film... and love. I want to watch it again and again to enjoy the acting.
The film by J. Heifetz (1960) was awarded many international awards. And at the XIII Film Festival in Cannes, the performance of actress Iya Savvina was awarded a special prize.
While still studying at Moscow State University, Iya Savvina met Vsevolod Mikhailovich Shestakov, a scientist and head of the geology department. They were brought together by the fact that they were both in love with “their” student theater. Iya and Vsevolod rehearsed roles together and acted in plays. In the year of graduation, Savvina married Shestakov.
The young people settled in a house on Frunzenskaya Embankment. Their apartment was always noisy and fun. Scientists, actors, and family friends gathered. They read poetry until late, argued about scientific topics, making fun of each other.
When the actress was at the height of her career, grief came to their family. Vsevolod and Iya had a son, Seryozha, with Down syndrome. Savvina was offered to place the child in a special boarding school, but she refused. From childhood, Iya Sergeevna developed the child’s ability to understand the world and invited teachers to the house. Many well-wishers advised her to quit her job... for the sake of her son, but this time she flatly refused.
In 1960, Savvina became an actress at the Theater. Mossovet, which was headed by Yuri Zavadsky. She was lucky enough to play on the same stage with Lyubov Orlova, Faina Ranevskaya, Vera Maretskaya, Rostislav Plyatt and other theater stars. Iya Savvina's debut in the production of "Nora", where she played the main role, was a great success. Lyubov Orlova, who played in this play for several years, sent Savvina a basket of flowers, which included a note “from Nora to Nora.”
In this theater, Savvina’s most notable roles were in the plays “The Strange Mrs. Savage”, “The Seagull”, “The Cherry Orchard”, “Summer Residents”, “Three Sisters”, “The Thunderstorm” and many others.
At the same time, Savvina creates memorable images in cinema. She played in the films “Open Book” (T. Vlasenkova), “Every Day of Doctor Kalinnikova” (Dr. Kalinnikova), “Private Life” (Natalya Ilyinichna), “Garage” (Anikeeva). In total, the actress starred in more than 40 films.
In 1977, the chief director of the Moscow Art Theater Oleg Efremov invited Iya Sergeevna to his team, where she works to this day. By this time, the actress was already divorced from Vsevolod Shestakov. Son Sergei grew up and graduated from university. Savvina helped him find a job as a translator. He knows English well and loves poetry and painting.
People's Artist of the Russian Federation Iya Savvina has been awarded several orders for her contribution to art and has two State Prizes. One of them is for Andrei Konchalovsky’s film “The Story of Asya Klyachina, Who Loved but Didn’t Get Married.” For a long time the director could not find an actress for the role of Asya. One of the film studio workers advised us to take Savvina. Konchalovsky, as he later recalled, grabbed his head: “Yes, you’re crazy! I need a girl from the village, not a young lady..."
But he took the actress to audition.
Filming took place in the Gorky region. Apart from the main characters, almost all the performers are villagers. Savvina, who played the role of Asya, constantly told Konchalovsky: “I won’t succeed! Understand how I can play with ordinary people... I’m all overgrown with acting scabs.
However, the director was lucky.
The actress played brilliantly. As Savvina herself would later say: “...It helped me that I am a village girl, like my mother.
So, the genes “worked” for me.” The film, shot in 1967, ended up on... a shelf. Cultural officials saw in it “a direct mockery of the village.” Viewers saw this film only twenty years later.
Iya Savvina has done a lot of work on television. She created films about the work of famous actors and directors, documentaries about I. Turgenev, A. Ostrovsky, M. Saltykov-Shchedrin, where she acted not only as an author, but also as a presenter.
Iya Savvina became a laureate of the Moscow Theater Prize “Crystal Turandot”, which awarded her for her work in the play “Christmas Dreams”. In 2007, the actress was awarded the Golden Eagle Award.
In one interview, Iya Sergeevna said: “...I have never been a star. I'm just an artist. Yes, honest, conscientious, but an artist.”
But Savvina is a great actress, a woman with a strong character and... a smile in her eyes.
Tags: film distribution, biographies, celebrities, artists, theater, actresses, fate, films, popularity, cinema
Interesting Facts
- Once Fyodor Khitruk decided to film “Winnie the Pooh”. One of his acquaintances told him that Iya Savvina (biography, personal life, son of the actress - information about all these issues is presented to your attention above) loves this work very much. Khitruk immediately contacted her and invited her to audition. Savvina came, looked at the sketches and praised Leonov, who played the main role. But when Fedor invited the actress to participate in voice acting, she refused. Although she later stated that she would be happy to try it if a suitable prototype was found. A few days later, Iya called Khitruk and informed him that the search for a character for voice acting was over. So Piglet spoke in Savvina’s voice. Although the actress, like Leonov, had to be “accelerated.” It was not the text itself that was difficult, but the intonation. Iya was very worried and worried during the recording. Therefore, Khitruk recorded it at numerous rehearsals. Fyodor believes that Savvina’s Piglet was the actress’s greatest success.
- In 1994, Andrei Konchalovsky released the film “Ryaba Hen”. This film became a kind of continuation of the film “The Story of Asya Klyachina”. Twenty-five years ago, Iya Savvina (the biography and personal life of the actress was constantly discussed in the tabloid press) played the main role in it. But she refused to work with Konchalovsky. After reading the script, Iya considered it offensive to the entire Russian people. As a result, the image of Asya was embodied on the screen by Inna Churikova.
Actress Iya Savvina has died
Alena Karas, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 08/29/2011
Iya Savvina was not an actress. In any case, she never studied to be an actress. Perhaps this allowed her to become one of the most unique, unforgettable Russian actresses of the twentieth century.
She herself always valued this fact very much and did not forget to emphasize it. “What kind of actress am I, I’m a journalist!” - one could often hear from her. She actually graduated from Moscow State University, and there, at the Student Theater, her acting life began.
But since her debut in the play based on Pavel Kogout’s play “Such Love” by Rolan Bykov, she has never learned to act. Living on stage and in cinema - this became for her the meaning of the profession, which she entered as accidentally as it was natural. Faina Ranevskaya, who became her friend for many years of working together at the Theater. Mossovet, everyone was surprised where this ease of transformation in a very young actress came from. And this ease turned into an almost daily risk to life for Iya Savvina: her blood pressure jumped terribly.
She quickly became in great demand both in cinema and in the theater. Simplicity and grace, combined with humble meekness and some kind of inner radiance, allowed her to uniquely connect with such images of Russian literature as Anna Sergeevna in “The Lady with the Dog”, The Meek One (1960) and Sonechka Marmeladova (1966, Mossovet Theater, performance “Petersburg Dreams”). Having learned about the death of the actress, her partner in “The Lady with the Dog,” Alexey Batalov, said: “This is the most important and dear picture and meeting for me... Her work, her attitude to the work, to the people who surrounded her, is all very special, unlike any other acting destinies.”
In 1967, Andrei Konchalovsky was looking for a non-actress for his film “The Story of Asya Klyachina, who loved but never married.” I found Iya Savvina. While filming with villagers, she told the director: “I won’t succeed! Understand how I can play with ordinary people... I’m all overgrown with acting scabs. Thus was born one of the biggest acting jobs in the cinema of the 60s. As Savvina herself would later say: “...It helped me that I am a village girl, like my mother. So the genes “worked” for me.” It seems that, through her colossal intellect and university education, there has always been a genetic connection with her family: all her aunts studied at a rural parochial school near Voronezh, although her mother, an apparently outstanding woman, was able to graduate from medical school and become a very strong doctor.
Having experienced the peak of theatrical fame, Savvina left the Theater. Mossovet immediately after the death of its leader Yuri Zavadsky. In 1977, Oleg Efremov invited her to the Moscow Art Theater, where she worked until her last days. By the way, Piglet speaks in her voice in Winnie the Pooh. The list of her film roles is as huge as her theatrical works. Among them are such famous ones as “Open Book”, “Tears Were Dripping”, “Garage”.
The enormous work of the soul was felt in each of her creations. Behind each was a great experience of suffering, patience and love. The actress’s son from her first marriage to Vsevolod Shestakov was born sick with Down syndrome. Without giving up on her difficult child, she put all her strength into him - she invited doctors, teachers, and worked on it herself. Now Sergei Shestakov is 53 years old, he knows Russian poetry very well, speaks English, and paints pictures.
Iya Sergeevna wanted to celebrate her 75th birthday with a new work in Lyudmila Petrushevskaya’s play “He’s in Argentina” on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater. Chekhov.
There is something deeply symbolic in the fact that Iya Savvina, who played the Meek and Sonechka Marmeladova, whose heroines radiated so much light and love, died on the eve of one of the greatest Christian holidays, the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Press
Photo reports from the opening of a memorial plaque on Iya Savvina’s house, 09.25.2018
A memorial plaque in memory of Iya Savvina was unveiled in Moscow, video from the TV channel “Russia 24” (“Vesti”), 09/25/2018
A memorial plaque to Iya Savvina was unveiled in Moscow, video from the Kultura TV channel, 09/24/2018
The Chekhov Moscow Art Theater does not forget its brilliant actress Iya Savvina, Lyudmila Lebed, Tribune, 09/23/2018
A memorial plaque will be unveiled at Iya Savvina’s house, Theater, 09.20.2018
Video recording of the evening in memory of Bella Akhmadulina “Don’t cry for me - I will live”, TV channel “Culture”, 08/13/2017
Vladimir and Iya, Anton Oreh, radio “Echo of Moscow”, 03/12/2016
“Wow, a star standing in line for fish!..”, Elena Konstantinova, Free Press, 03/2/2016
The talent and kindness of Iya Savvina, Mikhail Zakharchuk, Centenary, 03/2/2016
Evening in memory of Iya Savvina in photographs by Ekaterina Tsvetkova, 03/2/2016
Iya Savvina celebrated her 80th birthday, video from the Kultura TV channel, 03/2/2016
Biography of Iya Savvina, RIA Novosti, 03/2/2016
The maternal share of a great actress, Nikolai Starykh, Commune (Voronezh), 03/1/2016
Iya Savvina. Photo exhibition of the Moscow Art Theater Museum dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the actress’s birth, 02/26/2016
80 years since the birth of Iya Savvina, TV channel “Culture”, 02/24/2016
“Evgeny Kindinov. Really play..." Documentary film (2010), TV channel “Culture”, 10/30/2015
“Then I’ll go and light a candle.” In memory of Iya Savvina, Lyudmila Grabenko, Gordon Boulevard, 08/28/2012
Iya Savvina was seen off on her last journey in Moscow, video from the Zvezda TV channel, September 1, 2011
Moscow said goodbye to the legendary actress Iya Savvina, video from Vesti-24 TV channel, 09/1/2011
Iya Savvina: “She is not an actress, she is the essence”, video story of the TV channel “Culture”, 09/1/2011
Actress Iya Savvina was seen off on her last journey in Moscow, video from Channel One, 09/1/2011
In Moscow they said goodbye to People's Artist of the USSR Iya Savvina, video from TRC “Petersburg - Channel Five”, 09/1/2011
Iya Savvina was buried at the Novodevichy cemetery, Newstube.ru, 09/1/2011
The Chekhov Moscow Art Theater saw off Iya Savvina on her last journey, video from the Kultura TV channel, 09/1/2011
Moscow said goodbye to People's Artist of the USSR Iya Savvina, video from TV-Center, 09/1/2011
Moscow says goodbye to Iya Savvina, video from Channel One, 09/1/2011
Iya Savvina: “I look at my life without disgust and shame, and this is worth something,” Olga Egoshina, Novye Izvestia, 08/29/2011
Iya Savvina burned down in just four months, Anna Slavkina, Maria Raevskaya, Evening Moscow, 08/29/2011
Violet by the grace of God, Marina Raikina, Nikita Kartsev, Moskovsky Komsomolets, 08/29/2011
Actress Iya Savvina died, Alena Karas, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, 08/29/2011
Iya Savvina: “An example of a most worthy life”, Oleg Sulkin, Voice of America, 08/28/2011
On stage and on screen, Iya Savvina has always been different, Alla Sheveleva, Andrey Shchigolev, Izvestia, 08.28.2011
“Actress without a single false note” Iya Savvina passed away, RIA-Novosti, 08/28/2011
The life of Iya Savvina was not an easy holiday, Anna Balueva, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 08.28.2011
Dmitry Medvedev expressed condolences to the family and friends of People's Artist of the USSR Iya Savvina, ITAR-TASS, 08.28.2011
People's Artist of the USSR Iya Savvina has died, video from the Zvezda TV channel, 08/28/2011
The legend of Soviet cinema has passed away, video from NTV channel, 08/28/2011
Iya Savvina did not leave the stage until her last days, video from Vesti TV channel, 08/28/2011
Iya Savvina passed away, video from TV-Center, 08/28/2011
Vladimir Putin: “Savvina’s death is a loss for national culture,” video from the Vesti TV channel, 08/28/2011
Iya Savvina passed away, video from the TV program “Vesti-Moscow”, 08/28/2011
Asya Klyachina and other roles of Iya Savvina. Fragments of films, RIA-Novosti, 08.28.2011
Iya Savvina passed away, Mikhail Malykhin, Vedomosti, 08/27/2011
Iya Savvina’s anniversary, video from TV-Center, 03/2/2011
On the occasion of Iya Savvina’s anniversary, video from the Kultura TV channel, 03/2/2011
Photo strip: Iya Savvina in cinema and on the stage of two theaters, RIA-Novosti, 03/2/2011
The actress with the voice of Piglet is 75, Grigory Zaslavsky, Vesti-FM radio, 03/2/2011
Actress Iya Savvina celebrates her birthday today, video from Channel One, 03/2/2011
Amateur shot, Grigory Zaslavsky, Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 03/2/2011
Evening in memory of Bella Akhmadulina, video from the Kultura TV channel, 02/8/2011
Iya Savvina: Our time is crushed stone under the sign “topaz”, Dmitry Bykov, Interlocutor, 02/8/2011
The Moscow Art Theater is playing “The New American” again, TV report from VGTRK “Culture”, 01/12/2010
Iya Savvina in the program “Life Line”, TV channel “Culture”, 2007
TV version of the play “Christmas Dreams” (recorded in 2002), TV channel “Culture”, 05/25/2002
Iya Savvina’s page on the “To Remember” website
Iya Savvina on the site “Soviet Cinema Actors”
