Alla Demidova - biography, photo, personal life, films of the actress

Despite all the popularity of Alla Demidova as a theater and film actress, few can say that they know her well. And she notes in this regard that she wears the masks of her heroines. There were a lot of them, among them were queens, commissioners, writers, teachers, flight attendants and prostitutes. Moreover, Hamlet, so coveted by all actors, was included in the number of masks. Demidova became one of the few actresses who played the Prince of Denmark.

“Great actress” in one word

In little Alla’s mind, her future profession was called exactly that and not otherwise. We can confidently say that she mastered it to the fullest. It all began on September 29, 1936, when a girl was born into the family of a descendant of the well-known gold mining family in Russia, Demidov Sergei Alekseevich and his wife Alexandra Dmitrievna (nee Kharchenko).

Even before her birth in 1932, Sergei Alekseevich was convicted, but was quickly released. At the beginning of the war, he volunteered for the front and died in 1944. Demidova had only occasional memories of her father when he came on leave. She remembered how she slept with a soft toy given to him, which her mother then gave as a gift, considering that her daughter had already grown up.

The girl spent her military childhood in Vladimir with her maternal grandmother. And after the end of the war, she returned to Moscow. Alexandra Dmitrievna worked as a junior researcher at Moscow State University at the Faculty of Economics, she loved her job and left it only at 92 years old.

Alla began to realize her desire to become an actress in the school theater. She had to play roles that were not at all feminine, but she was happy with them too. Additionally, she staged a program in which she read Katerina from “The Thunderstorm” by Ostrovsky, “Anna Karenina” and other favorite works.

Film debut

In 1957, Alla starred in the war drama “Leningrad Symphony”, where she played the role of a student. Then the actress appeared in episodes of the following films: “First Date”, “Nine Days of One Year”, but her last name does not appear in the credits. In 1964, Demidova received the main role in the short film “What is the Theory of Relativity.”

first popularity came in 1966, after the release of the autobiographical film “Day Stars” . The film is based on the work of the same name by Olga Berggolts, which shows the life story of the Soviet poetess. The following year, Alla played flight attendant Olga Ivanovna in the short film “The Stewardess.”

In 1968, Demidova’s creative collection was replenished with such works as:

"Seasons";
"Living Dead";
“Two comrades served”;
"Degree of risk";
"Sixth of July";
"Shield and Sword."

In 1970, Alla played one of the main roles in the drama “The Seagull” by Yuli Karasik. The film adaptation of the story of the same name by A.P. Chekhov received a high award at the Chicago Film Festival “Silver Hugo” in the category “Best Acting Ensemble”.

In 1971, Alla brilliantly portrayed the famous Ukrainian poetess Lesya Ukrainka in the film “I’m Coming to You.” In the same year, the actress received the main role in Larisa Shepitko’s melodrama “You and Me.” Demidova’s partners on the set were such artists as: Leonid Dyachkov, Yuri Vizbor, Natalya Bondarchuk, Leonid Markov, Oleg Efremov, Mstislav Zapashny.

In 1985, Alla played the main character Elena Protasova in Leonid Pchelkin’s drama “Children of the Sun.” The events of the film take place at the beginning of the twentieth century, during a period of scientific heyday, but soon people will face a grandiose military disaster - the First World War.

Alla appeared as a USSR State Prize laureate in the science fiction film “The Escape of Mr. McKinley.”

Then Demidova starred in a series of diverse films, including: “The Scarlet Flower”, “Father Sergius”, “Glass of Water”, “Starfall”, “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson”, “The Queen of Spades”.

Demidova’s partners on the set were: Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Evgenia Simonova, Alexander Lazarev Sr., Bogdan Stupka, Natalya Gundareva.

With the advent of the 90s, the actress began to act in films less, paying more attention to her own project - “Theater A”. In 1998, the actress played one of the main roles in the drama “The Invisible Traveler.” Demidova’s next film work was the Ukrainian-produced crime film “The Tuner.” The following famous artists starred in Kira Muratova’s film: Renata Litvinova, Nina Ruslanova, Georgy Deliev, Natalya Buzko.

In 2006, Demidova embodied the image of the proud, despotic landowner Meropia Davydovna, starring in the comedy “Russian Money”. The film is based on the work “Sheep and Wolves”.

In 2020, Alla played in Rustam Khamdamov’s drama “A Bag Without a Bottom.” The film premiered in January 2018, and a few months earlier, the work was presented at the MIFF international film festival.

Turns in life

Alla Demidova in her interviews often talks about the predetermination of history in general and human destiny in particular. It is possible that this was the reason for the actress’s passion for esotericism. As for her fate, it had its turning points.

After graduating from school, Alla Sergeevna went to enter the Shchukin School to pursue her life’s work. But a terrible thing happened: she was not accepted due to poor diction. Moreover, the teacher whom she turned to for advice said that she should not dream of becoming an actress at all.

Having received such a blow, the girl did not break down or become depressed; she entered Moscow State University at the Faculty of Economics, graduated well and began conducting seminars on political economy for students of the Faculty of Philosophy. But the theater did not let her go; already in her 3rd year, Alla came to the university theater. In 1958, the beginning actor Rolan Bykov became the director of this theater. In the same year, he staged the play “Such Love” based on the play by the Czech writer Pavel Kohout. In this production, Demidova played the role of Lida Petruseva. The performance was successful and enjoyed success, attracting full houses. A. Demidova was noticed, critics noted her ability to play suffering, covered with self-irony and the special plasticity of the actress. Rolan Bykov left the management of the theater after moving to Leningrad. After him, several leaders changed, but the success was not repeated. In addition, A. Demidova’s relationship with the new leaders did not work out.

But the main thing happened, she gained confidence in her abilities, she again submitted documents to the Shchukin School in 1959 and this time she successfully entered. The actress began her studies at the course of the tragic actress Anna Orochko. And together with her she tried to play the role of Hamlet for the first time, then it didn’t happen for various reasons, but the dream remained.

The graduation performance “The Good Man from Szechwan” based on the play by B. Brecht became fateful for Alla Sergeevna. It was directed by Yu. Lyubimov and she played Mrs. Young. According to the actress, this performance laid the foundation for the future Taganka, where Lyubimov returned the almost forgotten principles of political theater.

Demidova graduated from the school with honors and received an invitation to the Taganka Theater, which had already begun to operate. True, she had other plans. While still studying, she played in the Vakhtangov Theater play “Death of the Gods.” The director of this performance, R. Simonov, clearly singled out Demidova, which gave reason to count on joining the troupe. But, once again, everything went wrong and she was refused. Having survived this shock, Demidova returned to Taganka.

First steps towards a dream

Demidova has been preparing to become an actress since childhood. Then, many years later, she will say that she does not consider her choice to be correct, but the school simply did not consider other options - only the Shchukin School. But the attempt to enroll was a failure. No matter how hard Demidova prepared for admission, all her skill was negated by poor diction. At a consultation with V.I. Moskvina’s teacher told her straightforwardly: “You can’t become an artist with such diction!”

Alla Demidova could not enter the theater school

Demidova entered the Faculty of Economics of Moscow State University, graduating with honors in 1959. Having become a candidate for an academic degree, Alla began teaching at the university - she gave seminars on political economy for philosophy students.

Her love for theater did not cool; in her third year, Demidova entered the Moscow State University Student Theater. Her first notable role was played there - Lida Petrusova in the production of “Such Love” by Rolan Bykov (based on the work of the Czech P. Kogout). Soon Bykov left for Leningrad for a while, and L. Kalinovsky took over the management of the theater. Having received a role in his play “Hello, Katya!”, Demidova went on her first “tour” - the production was taken to virgin lands, staged on the stage of double trucks.

Soon Alla Demidova entered the studio at the Lenkom Theater, from where she was soon expelled due to “unsuitability.” Demidova returns to the Student Theater and makes another attempt to enter the “Pike”.

The second attempt turned out to be more successful - Demidova entered the Shchukin School, albeit “conditionally” - diction, despite numerous classes with a speech therapist, remained “unsuitable”.

Alla Demidova spent a long time correcting her diction

Taganka Theater

The beginning of an acting career in this theater was not quick. Initially, I had to play in the crowd and small roles. Only since 1968, when Alla Demidova had already become famous for her work in films, she began to be given serious roles. But, even during the times of modest roles, she treated Lyubimov very respectfully, put up with his authoritarianism, and tried to follow his directorial constructs. Over time, Alla Sergeevna becomes one of the leading actresses of the theater and plays in most productions. The most famous are:

1968 “Tartuffe” – Elmira;
1969 “Rush Hour” - Mrs. Bozhentskaya;
1971 “Hamlet” – Gertrude;
1974 “Wooden horses” - Milenyevna;
1975 “The Cherry Orchard” - Ranevskaya;
1979 “Crime and Punishment” - Raskolnikov’s mother;
1981 “Three Sisters” - Masha;
1982 “Boris Godunov” - Marina Mnishek.

Despite the fact that there were many roles, Demidova did not rest on her laurels. Her search for something new coincides with the search for V. Vysotsky. Together they begin work on a play based on the play by Tennessee Williams for two actors, “Scream.” The director was Vysotsky, who tried himself as a director. At the same time, he conceived the production of “Phaedra” by J. Racine, where the main role was intended for Alla Sergeevna. Both performances were planned to be released in 1980, which, unfortunately, became the last year of V. Vysotsky’s life.

After Yu. Lyubimov left abroad, the theater was headed by Anatoly Efros for a short time. Demidova had already worked with him before, in particular in the production of “The Cherry Orchard”. But his leadership was cut short by a tragic death. Demidova only managed to play the role of Elina in A. Efros’s production of “A Beautiful Sunday for a Picnic” in 1986.

The unstable situation in the theater gives Demidova time to search. She begins to collaborate with Roman Viktyuk and plays Phaedra in the production of the same name based on the work of M. Tsvetaeva. The premiere took place in 1988, after which the play was played with great success on many stages in America and Europe. Introduction to the Greek tragedy opened a new page in the work of the actress. She said that after this other roles seemed a little “bland.” After Yu. Lyubimov’s return, she returned to Greek tragedy and played Electra in the play he staged based on Sophocles.

Theater

In 1964, having brilliantly graduated from “Pike”, the actress joined the Taganka Theater. She performed leading roles in performances staged by Yuri Lyubimov, Anatoly Efros, and Roman Viktyuk.

In the early 90s, Alla Demidova created her own Theater “A” and began collaborating with the Greek director Theodoros Terzopoulos.

The actress shares: “Theater “A” arose out of necessity. At one time, Roman Viktyuk staged “Phaedra” on the Taganka stage, but Lyubimov did not like it - the performance was clearly out of the repertoire. I bought “Phaedra” from “Taganka”, and we began to go on tour under the banner of Theater “A”. When the new play “Quartet” appeared, in Moscow we began to play it on the small stage of the Taganka, renting it.”

For the last decade, the artist has been in free swimming. The only exception was the Theater "School of Dramatic Art", where in the play by Anatoly Vasilyev she played Donna Anna in Pushkin's "The Stone Guest".

Theater works

MSU Student Theater:

Lida Petrusova - “Such Love” (P. Kogout). Staged by Rolan Bykov

Theater School named after. B.V. Shchukina:

Madame Frisette - "Frisette" (Labiche's vaudeville). Director Alexander Shirvindt
Mrs. Moon - “The Scandalous Affair of Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon” (J.B. Priestley) Directed by Vladimir Shlesinger
The main role is “Distant” (A. Afinogenov). Director Anna Orochko

Taganka Theater:

Mrs. Young - “The Good Man from Szechwan” (B. Brecht). Director Yuri Lyubimov
Vera - “Hero of Our Time” (M.Yu. Lermontov). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Mrs. Moon - “The Scandalous Affair of Mr. Kettle and Mrs. Moon” (J.-B. Priestley). Directed by Serafima Birman
“Antiworlds” (Andrei Voznesensky). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
“10 Days That Shook the World” (Popular performance in two parts, with pantomime, circus, slapstick and shooting based on the book by John Reed). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
“Fallen and Living” (Poetic performance). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
“Inquiry” (P. Weiss). Director Petr Fomenko
Elmira - “Tartuffe” (J.-B. Moliere, translation by M. Donskoy). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Wife - “About how Mr. Mockinpott got rid of his misfortunes” (P. Weiss). Director Mikhail Levitin
Mrs. Bozhentska - “Rush Hour” (Jerzy Stawinski). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Gertrude - “Hamlet” (W. Shakespeare, translation by B. Pasternak). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Kabanikha - “Benefit performance” (Artists - A.N. Ostrovsky). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Vasilisa Milentyevna - “Wooden Horses” (Fedor Abramov). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Ranevskaya - “The Cherry Orchard” (A.P. Chekhov). Staged by Anatoly Efros
Pulcheria Alexandrovna, Raskolnikov’s mother - “Crime and Punishment” (based on the novel by F.M. Dostoevsky). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
“Vladimir Vysotsky” (Poetic performance) Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Masha - “Three Sisters” (A.P. Chekhov). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Elina - “A wonderful Sunday for a picnic.” Staged by Anatoly Efros
Marina Mnishek - “Boris Godunov” (A.S. Pushkin). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov
Donna Anna, Louise, Margarita - “A Feast during the Plague” (A.S. Pushkin)
Electra - "Electra" (Sophocles). Staged by Yuri Lyubimov

Theater "A":

Phaedra - “Phaedra” (M. Tsvetaeva). Staged by Roman Viktyuk
Merteuil - “Quartet” (H. Muller). Staged by Theodoros Terzopoulos (Greece)
“Medea” (H. Muller - Euripides). Staged by Theodoros Terzopoulos (Greece)
“Hamlet Lesson” (W. Shakespeare, translation by B. Pasternak). Staged by Theodoros Terzopoulos (Greece)

Theater "School of Dramatic Art":

Donna Anna, Laura - “A.S. Pushkin. "The Stone Guest" and other poems." Staged by Anatoly Vasiliev

Work abroad

The actress’s extraordinary appearance, innate aristocracy, deep penetration into the role, and amazing plasticity attracted the attention of foreign directors. Already during her studies, A. Demidova received an invitation from Jean Vilar to work in his theater. Of course, she could not take advantage of the invitation at that time.

In 1989, she met the French director Antoine Vitez. He made her a very flattering offer to play the role of Ferda in the production of the Comedie Française theater. When Alla Sergeevna came to meet the actors involved in the play, she realized that they did not want to see her there in this role. Then A. Vitez decided to employ Russian actors in the play and had already selected a troupe in Moscow. Only the project was not implemented; A. Vitez died in 1990.

Later, the collaboration with the Greek director Theodoros Terzopolous turned out to be very fruitful. She appreciated working with him very much. The result was the performances “Quartet” (1993, role of Merteuil), “Eurepid” (1996, role of Medea) based on the plays of H. Müller and “Hamlet Lesson” (2001). The latter was staged as a one-man show in the form of a lesson, where the actress showed how to play the roles of Hamlet, Ophelia, and Gertrude.

Actor career

The first course of “Pike” was remembered by Demidova for the play “Death of the Gods” at the Theater named after.
Vakhtangov. Together with two fellow students, Demidova portrayed a “show girl”, dancing in a swimsuit. Ruben Simonov, who staged the play, began every rehearsal with this dance, and every time he said: “Hello, Paris is crying for you!” Everyone laughed. Then all this seemed completely normal - dancing in swimsuits in Simonov’s office, invitations to his home, to the theater, Ruben Nikolaevich’s stories about his wife.

That same year, Demidova was noticed by Jean Vilar, who was then on tour in Moscow.

Her teachers A.V. greatly influenced the development of Demidova’s manners and plasticity. Briskindov and V.G. Schlesinger.

Alla Demidova entered the Shchukin School

Soon Demidova’s film debut took place. It was “Leningrad Symphony” by Z. Agranenko, released in 1957.

After which there were several more roles in crowd scenes or unnoticeable supporting episodes - “Nine Days of One Year”, “What is the Theory of Relativity”, “Commander”.

Having graduated with honors from the Shchukin School in 1964, Demidova successfully defended her thesis - the role of Mrs. Young in The Good Man from Szechwan. This production by Yuri Lyubimov marked the beginning of the Taganka Theater.

The role was the simplest - Demidova went on stage and made a hand gesture, but everyone remembered this gesture. Playing far from the main role, Demidova managed to make the audience remember Ms. Young from the entire production.

After graduating from the Theater School, Demidova made an attempt to go to the Vakhtangov Theater, confidently coming to the audition without preparation. The attempt failed, Demidova returned to Taganka again, but she did not like it there. Intuition forced me to look for something else, something of my own... The search attempts continued - Alla took part in productions of the Mayakovsky Theater, spent a month there and, disappointed, returned to Lyubimov again at Taganka.

Alla Demidova worked with Vysotsky at the Taganka Theater

At the Taganka Theater, Demidova made her debut in the role of Vera in Lermontov’s “Hero of Our Time.” The debut turned out to be a catastrophic failure and for a long time after that, Alla played “extremely” in the crowd and in small episodes. Later, Lyubimov began giving her leading roles; Demidova turned out to be the most devoted student of the talented director.

In 1966, Demidova was unexpectedly offered the main role in “Day Stars” by I. Talankin. This film adaptation of Olga Berggolts' autobiography brought Demidova fame. After this poetic and creepy picture at the same time, Demidova’s performance was appreciated. Film roles fell on the actress, and film criticism turned out to be favorable to her. According to the results of voting by readers of the Soviet Screen magazine, Alla became the most promising actress of 1968.

At the same time, the first roles began to go to Demidova and Lyubimov on Taganka. Since the mid-seventies, despite the fact that Demidova becomes one of the leading actresses of Taganka, she remains dissatisfied with her acting destiny. Together with Vysotsky, they set out to find a production “for two”. Active rehearsals of “The Scream” by Williams and “Phaedre” by Jean Racine are not continued - Vysotsky dies. Demidov is taking the death of his friend and stage partner very hard.

Demidova continues to be in many ways a “cult” film actress (“The Sixth of June,” “Coming to You,” “The Seagull,” “Children of the Sun”). The role of Maria Spiridonova in “The Sixth of June” brought Demidova closer to tragedy, conveying a fantastic obsession with an idea, an unshakable confidence in the rightness. All these features were masterfully conveyed by Demidova.

Alla Demidova began her film career in 1966

However, Demidova cannot truly reveal her talent either in the theater or in cinema. Demidova remains “one of the most unincarnated in screen space” (“The Recent History of Russian Cinema”).

Crisis years came at Taganka - frequent changes of leadership, the death of Vysotsky and Anatoly Efros. Demidova collaborates with Roman Viktyuk, which resulted in the production of “Phaedra” after M. Tsvetaeva. Negotiations are underway with the French director Antoine Vitez about Racine's Phèdre, but this is the second time the project ends in death - this time Vitez dies.

Demidova’s tours in the West with Viktyuk’s “Phaedra” make Alla an example of a modern Russian actress and a theater star in European and American criticism. In Russia, Demidova continues to be considered “cold”, “intellectual”, and accused of formalism.

Demidova returns to Taganka and remains there until the theater split.

Theater-A

When, after thirty years of work at Taganka, scandals began in the theater, the time for difficult decisions began for Demidova. She, due to her character and upbringing, never took part in intrigues, showdowns and other attributes of behind-the-scenes life. She bought the play “Phaedra” by R. Viktyuk from the theater and organized her own Theater-A, finally leaving Taganka.

Subsequently, the theater's repertoire included productions by T. Terzopoulos. But her theater was not destined to live long, because organizational and administrative aspects were alien to Alla Sergeevna. Regarding practicality, she says that she “never knows how much money is in her wallet.”

Photo of Alla Demidova before and after plastic surgery

At the moment, the issue of surgical intervention remains unresolved. The actress looks very good for her age. She is still quite attractive and, most importantly, maintains the image of an elegant lady. The actress does not give any comments about cosmetic changes, and says that everything is natural for her.

But restless fans are still hoping to see photos of Alla Demidova on the Internet before and after plastic surgery. And the paparazzi constantly compare photographs of the actress, for certain periods of her life, and assure that there are changes. Whether this is true or not is impossible to find out.

Movie

Success in cinema came to Alla Demidova earlier than in the theater. She first appeared on set in 1957, playing a student in the film “Leningrad Symphony,” followed by three more films, which the actress called test films. The first serious role that brought fame was Olga Berggolts in the film “Day Stars” by I. Talankin (1966). The film did not reach a wide audience immediately, but was sent “to the shelf,” but for Demidova it became a springboard into big cinema. Remembering this film, she regretted that she played such a role in the cinema, and not in the theater.

Despite the ban on the film, the actress became in demand and popular. There were many offers, but Alla Sergeevna was very demanding. Many years later she would regret this; according to her, then she wanted to play the theme, not everyday life.

Nevertheless, she acted a lot and successfully. In 1968 alone, 6 films with her participation were released on the screen, including “Shield and Sword”, “The Living Corpse”, “The Sixth of July”. In the latter, she played Maria Spiridonova, putting into the role her attitude towards Marxism, essentially writing a new text for her heroine, radically different from that proposed by Shatrov. It is not typical for Demidova to play politics in films and in life, but she was attracted to this role by the opportunity to oppose Lenin.

The search for her own solutions in the game led to her finding new images for familiar characters, for example, her Arkadina in “The Seagull” was characterized by film critics as “a smart predator.”

Demidova also managed to work with A. Tarkovsky; she played Lizaveta Pavlovna in the film “Mirror” (1970). But when he wanted to film it again, he did not receive permission to do so. Among the roles of Alla Sergeevna, remembered by the audience are the Duchess of Marlborough in “A Glass of Water”, a flight attendant in the film of the same name, Anna Stanton in “All the King’s Men” (1971), Lesya Ukrainka - “You and Me”. In total, the actress’s filmography includes more than fifty films.

Movies

Alla Demidova's film debut took place in 1957. She starred in the drama "Leningrad Symphony". But the actress herself calls this work, like the next few, “just reconnaissance,” since Alla was suspicious of cinema at that time. And Demidova considers filming in the biographical melodrama “Day Stars” about the Leningrad writer Olga Berggolts to be her full-fledged debut.

Alla Demidova in the film “Shield and Sword”

After this film, the actress has already acted a lot and fruitfully. She has written about the life tragedies “You and I,” the detective stories “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” and the classic film adaptations “The Seagull” and “The Shield and the Sword.” Standing apart in Alla Demidova’s filmography is the fantastic film “The Escape of Mr. McKinley,” where she was again able to play with her beloved partner Vladimir Vysotsky.

Alla Demidova in the film "The Escape of Mr. McKinley"

In the 90s, Alla was among the artists who did not act very much during the crisis of domestic cinema. She was offered roles, but she was not at all interested in playing the mothers of new Russians. But in the 21st century, films with Demidova’s participation began to appear on screens again. First of all, you need to pay attention to her role as a wealthy widow in the melodrama “The Adjuster”, the tragicomedy “Russian Money”, which is an adaptation of the play by Alexander Ostrovsky, and the comedy “Eternal Return” by Kira Muratova. In this film, the actress’s partner was the legendary Oleg Tabakov.

Books

The habit of keeping diaries and noticing what was inaccessible to others indirectly contributed to the beginning of Alla Demidova’s literary activity. She was able to convey the ability to see hidden qualities in people, the presence of her own view of what is happening in her works. Speaking about books, Demidova notes that almost every title directly or indirectly contains a mirror. Her first book, “The Second Reality” (1980), is interpreted by her as a reflection of the existing one. This was followed by “Shadows Through the Looking Glass”, “Akhmatov’s Mirrors”, “In the Depth of Mirrors”. There were also books of memoirs about the actors with whom she worked. Immediately after the death of V. Vysotsky, she was offered to write a book about him, and thus “My Vysotsky” was born. The book received this title in the second edition and the author does not like it. Initially, the book was called “Vysotsky - as I remember and love.” But, once again confirming her non-conflict nature, Demidova did not insist on changing the name. Based on the memoirs, a book about Smoktunovsky “Tell me, Innokenty Mikhailovich...” was also written.

To date, 14 books by Alla Demidova have been published.

Alla Demidova and her husband.

Family life of 54 years

Alla Sergeevna’s personal life also developed in a very unusual way among actors. She married the famous screenwriter Vladimir Valutsky. Their marriage lasted more than 50 years. Despite the fact that Demidova guessed about her husband’s secret life, his infidelities and hobbies, she found the strength to forgive and put up with it. In her opinion, the secret to the longevity and strength of a marriage is to make it interesting. Having a screenwriter husband, the actress starred in his films only once, and, as she says, it was inconvenient for her to refuse after they agreed to her greatly inflated fee.

A. Demidova never wanted or planned to have children. She emphasizes that she lacks “maternal instinct.” In addition, the “sense of responsibility” always noted in stories about oneself could not solve the problem of combining full-time work in the theater and raising children.

What is known about the actress's late husband?

Look at the photo. Here Alla Demidova is depicted with her husband. Despite the fact that a third person burst into their personal life, the couple still lived in a legal marriage until Valutsky’s death. Let us recall the biography of Vladimir.

Vladimir Valutsky is a native Muscovite. He was born in 1936. The director's father was a native Pole. Mother is a resident of Ryazan.

Vladimir Valutsky: photo

From his youth, Vladimir was distinguished by the fact that he did not know how to restrain his opinion. Valutsky was harsh towards everything. This was especially noticeable in his works.

Of course, when a famous artist expresses his vision of a particular situation, you can listen to him. But when a young VGIK student tries to expose leader Lenin, no one will tolerate this. It was for this that Vladimir was expelled from the institute. The young man wanted to make a parody of Lenin. This idea backfired on him.

Of course, the screenwriter still managed to study at VGIK. However, this was much later.

Alla Demidova with her husband Vladimir Valutsky

The first scripts written by Valutsky brought him success. For example, the plot for the well-known Soviet film “Seven carries Corporal Zbruev” was written by Vladimir.

Another picture that should be well known even to today’s 30-40 year olds is “Winter Cherry”. Surely many watched this film with their parents when it came out in 1985. Valutsky also wrote the script for it.

According to Valutsky's script, a Soviet series about Sherlock Holmes was filmed. The last film, based on Vladimir’s script, was published in 2012.

Alla Demidova in the film about Sherlock Holmes, based on the script by Vladimir Valutsky

The screenwriter died in 2020. Leaving this life was not easy for Vladimir. He was very sick. Alla looked after him until his last day.

Today's time

Alla Sergeevna continues her theatrical and cinematic activities. She organizes poetry evenings and master classes, writes new books. Interested in new productions by young and innovative directors. The actress is still selective in her choice of roles and finds completely unexpected ones. One of the last works in cinema was the role of Baba Yaga in the film “Bag Without a Bottom” released in 2020.

A. Demidova is a welcome guest on television, acting both as an invited guest and as the host of her own programs. Her elegant appearance and style remain impeccable with a constant aura of mystery and inaccessibility.

Alla Demidova now

In 2020, Alla Demidova became a laureate of the “Theatrical Star” award in the honorary category “Legend of the Stage.”

In June 2020, Alla Demidova appeared in the role of Baba Yaga

in the drama “A Bag with No Bottom”, which premiered at the Moscow International Film Festival. The film is based on the novel “In the Thicket” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa.

Alla Demidova in the film “A Bag Without a Bottom”

The film was shot according to the structure of a picture within a picture. The first layer takes place when the country is ruled by the Russian Emperor Alexander II. The maid of honor of the princely court tells a fairy tale, in the fantasy world of which the main plot about the mystical murder of the Tsarevich in the forest takes place. The events of the Lady-in-Waiting's Tale supposedly take place in the 13th century and focus on the testimony of eyewitnesses to the crime, whose words differ from the things that happened.

On November 16, 2020, the actress became a guest in the studio of the television show “The Fate of a Man” with Boris Korchevnikov, where she shared with viewers the details of her own life.

On November 24, Alla Demidova received the Grand Prix of the Snoba magazine award “Made in Russia 2017” for Kirill Serebrennikov.

The artistic director of the Gogol Center, Kirill Serebrennikov, found himself under house arrest at this time. Kirill Serebrennikov is accused of organizing the theft of 68 million rubles allocated from the budget for the creation of the Platform project, founded by the artistic director of the Seventh Studio. Alla Demidova gave a speech on this occasion, in which she called what was happening a tragic mistake.

On November 28 and 29, the Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater hosted the play “Anna Akhmatova. A Poem Without a Hero" directed by the famous actress Alla Demidova and director Kirill Serebrennikov, in which the actors of the Gogol Center played. The production is timed to coincide with the Golden Mask festival.

The performance is based on Akhmatova’s poems, excerpts from “Requiem” and “Poem without a Hero,” as well as Alla Demidova’s book “Akhmatova’s Mirrors,” published in 2004.

Alla Demidova

The visual component of the new production is taken from the ideas expressed in Alla Sergeevna’s book: echoes, the appearance of a double in mirrors, scraps of paper, shadows and images of those who became part of Akhmatova’s “Poem”.

It is also worth mentioning that the book dedicated to Akhmatova’s work is not the only literary work authored by the actress. For thirty years Alla Sergeevna has been paying attention to literary creativity. From the pen of the actress, 14 books were published in which Alla Sergeevna recalls the past and reflects on theatrical life and acting. In 2020, Alla Demidova published the book “Nostalgia is Memory” and wrote the preface and compiled a collection of poems by Anna Akhmatova “Wild Honey”. Alla Demidova’s latest books for today are “Italian Travels” and “My Vysotsky”.