Childhood and youth
The biography of the talented director began in Chisinau. Kolya was born into a family that had nothing to do with cinema. Mother Elena Alekseevna is an economist, father Igor Nikolaevich is a military man, having retired to the reserve, he worked as an engineer at a factory.
Director Nikolay Lebedev
In early childhood, Nikolai was seriously fascinated by the world of cinema: having watched enough feature films, he also dreamed of trying on the image of a director and even wrote a script. The boy made his first film at the age of 10 with a camera borrowed from his father's friend. The parents, who considered interest in cinema to be nothing more than self-indulgence, gave in and gave their son a Lomo video camera.
Nikolai, who had grown up, never thought of parting with his childhood dream. After school, I went to conquer the selection committee of VGIK, but failed triumphantly. In order not to waste time, at the insistence of my parents I had to enroll in the Faculty of Journalism. At first he studied in his hometown, and later transferred to Moscow State University.
Nikolai Lebedev in his youth
Although journalism fascinated me, it never became my main profession. The stubborn young man nevertheless joined the ranks of VGIK, albeit in absentia. In 1993, Nikolai Lebedev held in his hands the coveted diploma from the Faculty of Screenwriting and Film Studies.
While studying at the journalism department, Nikolai worked as a correspondent for printed publications. Later, as a director and screenwriter, he participated in the creation of the children's television program "Sesame Street", as well as documentaries about the Russian capital, which were broadcast on television.
Movies
Lebedev made his directorial debut in 1991. He presented the short film “Overnight” to the audience and critics. Friday" and received rave reviews. A creepy picture in the genre of psychological horror tells about a girl who accidentally finds herself in the other world, where she awaits a meeting with her deceased mother, lover and other familiar people.
Evgeny Mironov and Olga Ostroumova in Nikolai Lebedev’s film “Snake Spring”
The first full-length film showed that a director had appeared who promised to make a serious contribution to Russian cinema. In the thriller “Snake Spring” (1997), Nikolai Igorevich spoke with the viewer on the topic of the province, showing a strong personal position and showing life without embellishment. Famous actors starred in this work: Dmitry Maryanov, Ekaterina Guseva, Evgeny Mironov, Lev Borisov. After the release of the film, the director began to be compared to Alfred Hitchcock.
Maria Poroshina in Nikolai Lebedev's film "Fan"
Two years later, Nikolai Lebedev again surprised movie fans with his ability to create vivid characters torn apart by passions. The film “Fan” (1999) again brought together the acting talent - Maria Poroshina, Sergei Garmash, Elena Safonova, Nina Usatova and went to the Kinoshock film festival, where it won a scattering of prestigious awards.
In 2002, Nikolai Igorevich addressed the topic of the Great Patriotic War, presenting the film “Star”. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Emmanuel Kazakevich, the main character of which, Lieutenant Travkin, goes on a raid outside the front with a group of scouts. During the operation, all soldiers died.
Igor Petrenko in Nikolai Lebedev’s film “Star”
The war drama, in which Igor Petrenko was entrusted with the key role, added to the director’s fame. However, critics were not so favorable, accusing the director of not respecting the author's word. However, Nikolai Igorevich saw success precisely in this - if criticism “rumbles and fires,” it means the work was a success.
The next notable film was the film “Wolfhound of the Gray Dogs,” released in 2006. The fantastic film is a free interpretation of Maria Semenova’s book “Wolfhound”. The director changed the storylines significantly, so agreeing on the script with the writer was difficult. And yet Maria Vasilievna remained pleased that Lebedev undertook to shoot the film.
Alexander Bukharov in Nikolai Lebedev’s film “The Wolfhound of the Gray Dogs”
The main roles went to Alexander Bukharov and Oksana Akinshina. To film the fairy-tale scenes, they chose the landscapes of Slovakia, which critics called the brightest side of the film. I didn’t like everything else; the film received a wave of criticism for its plot weakness. This did not prevent the film from winning the Golden Eagle Award for the brilliant work of the production designer.
In 2007, Nikolai Lebedev filmed the military series “Apostle”, started by director Gennady Sidorov, who abandoned the work halfway through. Later, director Yuri Moroz joined the process.
Evgeny Mironov in Nikolai Lebedev’s film “Apostle”
12 episodes tell the story of twin brothers who became German saboteurs who agreed to cooperate with the NKVD. Evgeny Mironov got used to the images of the main characters. The picture was also decorated with acting by Nikolai Fomenko, Daria Moroz, Andrey Smirnov.
The work of Nikolai Igorevich was talked about with renewed vigor after the release of the film “Legend No. 17,” which presented the biography of the famous hockey player Valery Kharlamov. Danila Kozlovsky reincarnated as the legendary athlete.
Nikolai Lebedev on the set of the film “Legend No. 17”
Critics greeted the director's work enthusiastically, only some were dissatisfied, accusing Lebedev of mythologizing the image of the hockey player. The ribbon took away six Golden Eagle figurines.
In the spring of 2020, viewers were eagerly awaiting the announced premiere of Nikolai Lebedev’s new film “Crew”. The director dreamed of making a disaster film, and finally the opportunity presented itself.
Nikolai Lebedev on the set of the film “Crew”
The adventure drama about the everyday life of pilots became a joint work of actors Danila Kozlovsky, Vladimir Mashkov and Agne Grudite, who took courses at a flight school before filming. The blockbuster “Crew” collected record amounts at the box office, and Lebedev was named director of the year.
Creativity[ | ]
Theater roles[ | ]
Mossovet Theater[ | ]
- 1950 - “3rd year student” by A. G. Davidson and A. V. Borzina. Directors: Irina Anisimova-Wulf
,
K.K. Mikhailov
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Nikolay Chuvelev
,
Andrey Rudakov
[1] - “Undergrowth” by D. I. Fonvizin. Director: S. A. Benkendorf
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Starodum's Valet
(input) - 1951 - “Junior partner” A. A. Perventsev. Directors: Yuri Zavadsky
,
Irina Anisimova-Wulf
,
E. I. Stradomskaya
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John - “Storm” by V. N. Bill-Belotserkovsky. Directors: Yuri Zavadsky
,
E. I. Stradomskaya
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Secretary
,
Chairman of the Council - Shakespeare's Othello - Senator
- 1952 - “Silk suzane” by A. Kakhhar. Director: Yu. A. Shmytkin
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Dekhkanbay - “Labor Bread” - Egor Nikolaevich Koprov
- “Masquerade” by M. Yu. Lermontov - 5th guest
- 1953 - “Big Trouble” by S. L. Lench. Director: A. L. Shaps
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Gruzdev Vasily Ilyich - 1954 - “The Secret of the Black Lake” by E. B. Borisova. Artistic director of the production Yuri Zavadsky, director E. I. Stradomskaya
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Ivan-Sapozhnik - 1954 - “Somov and others” by M. Gorky - Drozdov
- 1954 - “The Story of One Love” by K. M. Simonov. Director: T. P. Kandinashvili
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Alexey Stepanovich Markov
,
Vaganov - 1954 - “Who Laughs Last” by Kondrat Krapiva. Director: A. L. Shaps
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Man in NKVD uniform - Lizzie McKay - Sydney
- 1956 - “Alpatov” by L. G. Zorin. Directors: Yuri Zavadsky
,
K. K. Mikhailov
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Ivan Gromov - 1956 - “Three” by M. Gorky. Staging and production by M. N. Sidorkin - Savelyev
- 1957 - “The Merry Wives of Windsor” by Shakespeare. Director: Yuri Zavadsky
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Ford - "Cornelia" - Nino
- Shakespeare's King Lear - Duke of Albany
- "Antey" - Dmitro Bondar
- "Vasily Terkin" - Colonel
- “Night Conversation” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt - Vladimir Ivanovich Ustyuzhin
- “Revolt of Women” – Sculptor
- "Leningradsky Prospekt" - Fedor
- “Conscience” - Martyanov Vasily Konstantinovich
- “On the Wild Beach” - Kapanadze
- "Caesar and Cleopatra" - Rufio
- “On the night of a lunar eclipse” - Yalsygul
- “The Life of Saint-Exupery” - Vasily Shubin
- “My heart is with you” - Frolov
- “Petersburg Dreams” - Zosimov
- "The Strange Mrs. Savage" by John Patrick - Tates
- “It was the spring of '16” - Soldier
- “Rome 17, on demand” - Klim Ivanovich Konopatov
- "Liliom" - Poorly dressed
- “...Gold, gold - the people’s heart!” ("Soldier's")
- “I always smile” - Chairman of the Medical Commission
- “Indian Summer” - Anatoly Mikhailovich Volkov
- “The tram goes to the park” - Man with a suitcase
- “Then there is silence” - Bill
- “Day of arrival - day of departure” (Filyashin
- “Success” - Lisin
- "The Tsar's Hunt" - Prince Golitsyn
- “The cat that walked by itself” - Tiger
- “Heaven - Earth” - Volkov
- “Excess of power” - Voronin
- “The Brothers Karamazov” - Tikhon Borisovich, chairman of the court
- “Mass for the Virgin” - Jean Lhuillier
- “The Living Corpse” by L. N. Tolstoy - Afremov
- “Egor Bulychov and others” by M. Gorky - Donat
- "Trial of the Judges" - Judge Ives
- "Through the Eyes of a Clown" - Mr. Schnier
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Martin Derkum - "Operation 'Happy New Year!'" - Lashkov-Guryanov
- "Quote" - Niimov
- "Infantes" - Chief
- “Factory Girl” by A. M. Volodin - Makarov
- “The Sad Detective” - Ilyinets
- “Women’s table in the hunting hall” by Viktor Merezhko – Waiter
- “Conspiracy of Feelings” - Andrey Petrovich Babichev
- "Caligula" - Merinius
- “Crossroads of Fate, or Restoration” - Llorens
- "Ruy Blaz" - Marquis de Santa Cruz
- “Dear friend” – Notary
- "The Black Bride, or Romeo and Jeanette" - The Postman
- Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice - Doge of Venice
- "King Lear" - The Doctor
Filmography[ | ]
- 1959 - Normandy - Neman - Colonel Sinitsyn
[8] - 1960 - Same age as the century - Ivan Ermakov, director of the automobile plant
- 1960 - Anathema
- 1961 - Evdokia - Evdokim
- 1961 - The day when he turns 30 - Zakhar
- 1962 - Pavlukha - Novel
- 1962 - In a loop - Grigory Paliy
- 1963 - Silence
- 1963 - Blue Notebook - Nikolai Alexandrovich Emelyanov
- 1964 - Loneliness - Lystrat
- 1964 - Valera - Arkady Sergeevich, polar explorer and traveler
- 1967 - Give me your paw, friend! - Tanya's father
- 1970 - Do you know how to live?
- 1971 - Liberation - General Stepan Krasovsky
- 1971 - Man in the passage yard - Vladimir Panteleimonovich Popov, aka Gestapo agent “Centaur”
- 1971 - Criminal Investigation Inspector - Nikolai Dmitrievich, Police Commissioner
- 1972 - Doctor Zhukov, away! — Orlovsky
- 1973 - Old Fortress - Field
- 1973 — Irkutsk story
- 1973 - Everyday life of the criminal investigation department - Nikolai Dmitrievich, police commissioner
- 1973 - Eternal Call - Mitrofan Savelyev (brother Silanty)
- 1974 - Difficult floors
- 1974 - Adventures on Earth and Heaven
- 1974 - High rank
- 1974 - Selecting a target
- 1975 - You will find it in battle - Rudaev Sr.
- 1975 - Don’t give up the queen - Ivan Demyanovich, captain
- 1975 - Cavalry
- 1975 - Star of Captivating Happiness
- 1976 — Trainee
- 1976 - Liberation of Prague
- 1978 - Path to Sofia
- 1978 - Grasshopper
- 1979 - Heaven - Earth
- 1979 - Steep Field - Musatov
- 1979 - Crew - Sergei Ivanovich, chairman of the medical commission
- 1981 - Vacation at your own expense - Vadim Sergeevich Orlov, Deputy Minister
- 1984 - The right to choose - Trofim Alexandrovich
- 1985 - We accuse! - US President Eisenhower
- 1986 - Trial of judges
- 1986 - Dating Time - Commander
- 1987 - Living Corpse - Afremov, Fedya's friend
- 1989 - Stray Bus
Personal life
Nikolai Lebedev is reluctant to advertise his personal life. The director's wife Irina is an economist by profession and also worked in the film industry. The couple has no children together; the wife has a daughter, Svetlana, from her first marriage.
Nikolai Lebedev and Alla Pugacheva
Nikolai Igorevich is an Instagram user, although he is not particularly active. Occasionally he pampers fans with photos from film sets and meetings with friends, including many actors and pop stars. The man knows Alla Pugacheva well; on Instagram there was a place for selfies taken in the company of the Diva.
Filmography
Actor
- 1927 - Turbine No. 3 - Peel, mechanic
- 1928 - Forest side - Mizzard
- 1929 - Third youth - Pal Palych
- 1960 - Normandy-Niemen - Colonel Sinitsyn
Director
- 1930 - Young naturalists - together with N. Ugryumov
- 1931 - Zybun - together with V. T. Yakovlev
- 1931 - Product No. 717
- 1933 - Soldier's son
- 1934 - To the Moon with a transfer
- 1936 - Fedka
- 1938 - Marshal's childhood
- 1940 - Rider from Kabarda
- 1949 - Happy sailing
- 1952 - Towards life
- 1953 - Honor of a comrade
- 1955 - Highlight of the program (medium film)
- 1957 - At the turning point
- 1958 - Andreyka
- 1961 - The girl I was friends with
- 1963 - Mandate
- 1967 - Winter morning
- 1969 - The Incredible Yehudiel Chlamida
- 1971 - Find me, Lenya!
- 1974 - That distant summer
- 1977 - Wait for me, islands! — together with I. S. Shapiro
- 1979 - I ask you to blame Klava K. for my death - together with E.V. Yasan
Screenwriter
- 1930 - Real hunters (together with N. Katkov, N. Ugryumov)
- 1933 - Soldier's son
- 1938 - Childhood of a Marshal (together with L. Moore, I. Vsevolozhsky)
- 1955 - Highlight of the program (medium film)
Nikolay Lebedev now
The creator of the film hits “Legend No. 17” and “Crew” will try his hand at teaching in 2020. The director was invited to the Arka Higher Film School to supervise the acting and directing course. Lebedev will teach two dozen students the basics of filming, constructing scripts, and communicating with playwrights and the film crew.
In mid-March, film fans, as well as fans of the work of Mikhail Bulgakov, received news that filming of the novel “The Master and Margarita” would soon begin. The Cinema Fund hosted the defense of projects whose scripts have already been approved. Nikolai Lebedev is the sixth director who decided to display the imperishable work on film.
The man presented his own script, and Konstantin Ernst, Igor Tolstunov, Leonard Blavatik and Ruben Dishdishyan took on producing. Preliminary estimates of the film's budget are 800 million rubles. Casting has already begun and filming will begin soon. The premiere of “The Master and Margarita” through the eyes of Nikolai Lebedev is scheduled for 2021.
