Biography
Svetlana Druzhinina was born into a simple family living in Moscow, in Maryina Roshcha. Her mother is a Don Cossack and worked as a teacher in a kindergarten. And dad, the son of a priest, was a driver, died during the Great Patriotic War near Smolensk.
Svetlana Druzhinina's childhood was during the war years. But she remembers that period kindly, in the TV program “Big Family” she says: “My childhood was wonderful, I don’t regret anything... And war is very scary and very interesting, because you always think about how to help yourself, how to help your mother, how to help your loved ones. This is maturity before its time.”
Like all children of the war years, Svetlana became independent very early. At the age of ten, she came alone to enter a circus school, and for a whole year she successfully trained in a group of acrobats; in the program she was listed as a “rubber girl.” When the tour began, which certainly interfered with her studies, Druzhinina had to give up her dream of becoming a circus performer.
In the summer of 1947, at a pioneer camp, she became friends with a young dancer who studied at the choreographic school at the Bolshoi Theater. The girl has a new dream - to become a ballerina. Returning to Moscow, Druzhinina entered the choreographic school at the Moscow Academic Musical Theater named after K. S. Stanislavsky and V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko and after some time, through a competition, moved to the school at the Bolshoi Theater, where future ballet stars Maris Liepa became her fellow students and Natalya Kasatkina.
It was not possible to finish my studies with everyone else due to a hand injury. And yet, ten years of ballet training were not in vain: “It taught me incredible discipline, work and a sense of teamwork.” Druzhinina still keeps in shape, is slim and elegant, and choreographs many of the dance numbers for her films herself.
After leaving ballet, Svetlana Druzhinina became the host of the evenings of the choreographic school, held in the Concert Hall named after P.I. Tchaikovsky. The concerts were broadcast on television. The new presenter was noticed by the Central Television announcer Sharoeva. With her light hand, Druzhinina began hosting children's television programs together with Mikhail Derzhavin, and later KVN. Live broadcasts taught the future movie star a lot: not to be afraid of the camera, to belong to the audience and to know the role by heart.
Svetlana Druzhinina did not have enough education in her new profession, and she decided to enroll in VGIK. In 1960 she graduated from the acting department of the institute in the workshop of Olga Pyzhova and Boris Bibikov. Her classmates were wonderful film actors who became popular during their studies: Sofiko Chiaureli, Ariadna Shengelaya, Leonid Kuravlev.
From 1955 to 1965, Svetlana Druzhinina worked at the Central Studio of Film Actors and the M. Gorky Film Studio, starred in several films that brought her wide popularity, and unexpectedly for everyone returned to her native institute, only now to the directing department in the workshop of Igor Talankin. She graduated from it in 1969, defending her diploma with the film “Zinka” based on the script by Boris Mozhaev.
Svetlana Druzhinina has more than a dozen outstanding acting works in films shot back in the Soviet period. At the turn of the century, she took part in a number of documentary projects. Young viewers are more familiar with Druzhinina as a director and screenwriter of exciting adventure films and historical films. And in her grandiose historical series “Secrets of Palace Coups,” she also acted as a screenwriter and producer. In 2020, Svetlana Druzhinina plans to work on Midshipmen IV.
TV presenter
When Druzhinina Svetlana Sergeevna realized that she was not destined to become a ballerina, she began to look for her place in life. For some time, the girl worked as a host of evenings that were held in the Pyotr Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. All events were broadcast on TV, so the beautiful and bright girl was quickly noticed.
Svetlana received an offer to host the first episodes of KVN from the management of Central Television. She accepted it, and for some time worked as a presenter in tandem with Mikhail Derzhavin. Now few people remember this fact of her biography.
Cinema
Svetlana Druzhinina’s first film role was the beautiful saleswoman Sonya Bozhko in Samson Samsonov’s film “Behind the Department Store Window.” Together with Svetlana, such actors as Mikaela Drozdovskaya, Oleg Anofriev, Anatoly Kuznetsov played in the film. The actress recalls her film debut: “This experience made me believe in the amazing miracle of cinema.”
Svetlana Druzhinina’s next significant work was the role of Larisa in the film “It Was About Penkov” (1958) directed by Stanislav Rostotsky, where the actress starred in an ensemble with Maya Menglet and Vyacheslav Tikhonov. The film has become a classic of Russian cinema due to the bright characters of the main characters.
In the early sixties, the comedy film “Girls” directed by Yuri Chulyukin was released on the screens of the country, which was loved by viewers of all generations. In it, Svetlana Druzhinina excellently played a self-confident beauty, striking the hearts of men. Many girls in the Soviet Union dreamed of being like her Anfisa.
In addition to the films mentioned, Svetlana Druzhinina starred in the films: “You Can’t Cross the Bridge” (1960), “Eagle Island” (1961), “On the Seven Winds” (1962), “There’s a Son Somewhere” (1963), “What Is It Like?” , sea? (1964), “Green Light” (1965), “Beloved” (1965) and others.
Bright roles
Druzhinina's debut film was a success, and the audience also liked her heroine. The first role was followed by the second. Svetlana played in the comedy “The Herder’s Song.” Then director Stanislav Rostotsky invited the aspiring actress to his new film “It Was About Penkov.” The melodrama about a love triangle was an extraordinary success among viewers.
In 1961, the filmography of Svetlana Sergeevna Druzhinina was replenished with the film “Girls”. In this film, she created a vivid image of the beautiful Anfisa, who is catastrophically unlucky in her personal life. Out of envy of the more successful girl, she makes one mistake after another.
Directing
Svetlana Druzhinina's directorial debut was the film “Fulfillment of Desires” (1974) based on the novel by Valentin Kaverin. Druzhinina herself was expected to play one of the main roles, but she refused and invited Larisa Luzhina to play Varvara. And later Druzhinina did not star in any of her films.
Why the young successful actress abruptly stopped acting in films, and how she decided to change her profession, the artist herself tells in the TV show “Life Line” like this: “It’s all about overnight. I make a decision and then carry it out. I became an actress overnight and then suddenly went into the directing profession. I quit smoking overnight, I do everything overnight.”
The next interesting work of director Svetlana Druzhinina was the musical melodrama “The Sun, the Sun Again!” based on the story “The Wedding” by Dmitry Holendro. And then, one after another, the films appeared on the screens: “Matchmaking of a Hussar” with Mikhail Boyarsky, Elena Koreneva and Andrei Popov, “Dulcinea of Toboska” with Natalya Gundareva, “Circus Princess” with Natalya Belokhvostikova.
Svetlana Druzhinina's films were an unconditional success, but Midshipmen exceeded all expectations. After the release of the first part of the film, young actors Sergei Zhigunov, Dmitry Kharatyan and Vladimir Shevelkov woke up as stars. Then two more parts appeared: “Vivat, midshipmen!” and “Midshipmen III”, in which Evgeny Evstigneev, Mikhail Boyarsky, Natalya Gundareva, Alexander Abdulov, Lyudmila Gurchenko played.
While working on “Midshipmen,” Svetlana Druzhinina decided to make a new film, but not about fictional characters, but about real historical characters of the 18th century. This is how the grandiose project “Secrets of Palace Coups” was born. Druzhinina has been working on the 25-episode historical adventure epic since 1995 to this day. Eight films were released: “Testament of the Emperor”, “Testament of the Empress”, “I am the Emperor”, “The Fall of Goliath”, “The Emperor’s Second Bride”, “Death of the Young Emperor”, “Vivat, Anna!”, “The Hunt for the Princess” " The roles of famous historical figures were performed by Natalya Egorova (Catherine I), Lyudmila Zaitseva (Ekaterina Ioannovna), Nina Ruslanova (Anna Ioannovna), Nikolai Karachentsov (Peter I), Sergei Shakurov (Menshikov), Dmitry Kharatyan (Ivan Dolgoruky), Alexey Zharkov (Alexey Dolgoruky), Vladimir Ilyin (Vice Chancellor Osterman) and many others.
It was not by chance that Svetlana Druzhinina turned to historical topics. As she herself says in the TV show “Observer”: “Secrets of palace coups” I film for a young audience. A people without history and without us knowing where we come from is a people without a future. If you don’t know, respect and honor your history, you will fall on your own face every time.”
"Midshipmen, forward"
The famous mini-series “Midshipmen, Go!” - one of the main achievements of director Svetlana Druzhinina, whose photo can be seen in the article. The main roles were played by Sergei Zhigunov, Dmitry Kharatyan, Mikhail Boyarsky, Vladimir Shevelkov, Olga Mashnaya, Tatyana Lyutaeva.
The events of the film unfold in the era of palace coups. Entire dynasties rose and fell in bloody struggles for power. Regicides ascended the throne, and the fates of temporary workers were ruined. Three young cadets of the Moscow navigation school are forced to flee for various reasons. Some go to St. Petersburg, others go to Kronstadt. Unexpectedly, the friends find themselves drawn into a dangerous conspiracy, participation in which could cost them their lives.
The mini-series was liked by the audience, so a continuation of the beloved story was filmed. In 1991, the film “Vivat, midshipmen!” was released, and in 1992, “Midshipmen 3”. The fourth part is expected to be released in 2020.
Personal life
Svetlana Druzhinina's husband is a Soviet and Russian cameraman, People's Artist of the Russian Federation, the son of Soviet illegal intelligence officers - Anatoly Mukasey. Their acquaintance took place at VGIK on the institute’s volleyball court. They soon got married, and have been living and working together for more than 55 years. Anatoly Mukasey took all his wife’s paintings.
The couple have two sons: the eldest son, Anatoly, died in 1986, and the youngest, Mikhail, became a famous cameraman and film producer. Mikhail Mukasey is married to the famous Russian volleyball player Ekaterina Gamova. The children gave their eminent parents two wonderful grandchildren.
Svetlana Druzhinina now
Now Svetlana Druzhinina, together with Anatoly Mukasey, is working on the 4th part of the film “Midshipmen”, in which both already beloved performers and new heroes will appear. While the plot and premiere date of the film have not been disclosed, Svetlana Druzhinina often posts photos and videos of working moments on her Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Svetlana Druzhinina. Official. (@sdruzhinina_official) on Aug 15, 2020 at 9:33am PDT
Svetlana Druzhinina in 2020
In addition to creativity, the director is passionate about social activities. Under her leadership, the Veche historical film festival is held in Veliky Novgorod. The date of the XIII Film Festival is scheduled for the end of September 2019.
Svetlana Sergeevna spoke about her work and family in an interview with Boris Korchevnikov, which she gave as part of the “Human Fate” program.
Interview
About the directing profession
“A person chooses a profession if he chooses correctly according to his character, then his character matches this profession or vice versa. I think this is one of the best professions in the world."
“We have a business, a collective one. Don’t believe it when the director says: “I made a movie.” This is a sin against a huge team. Yes, the director begins alone, and then he remains alone. Everyone is already thinking: what does he want? Everything is there, but he asks, wants, demands, insists... This is the profession of a lone wolf, a ranger, but still the team makes the movie. And it is no coincidence that I completely sincerely say to everyone: “Thank you.” It is very important to keep your finger on the pulse of the entire team. And then maybe something will work out.”
About life
In the TV program “Life Line”, when asked how you manage to maintain such an amazing appearance under a colossal workload, instead of Svetlana Druzhinina, her husband ironically answered: “With a husband like me, she can’t look bad - that’s the first thing.” And secondly, if she has at least five minutes of free time, she definitely does some kind of physical exercise.”
Svetlana Druzhinina is constantly at work and cannot imagine life without cinema. Addressing her viewer, she says: “What is a life line - this is our life, this is our destiny. And every time I see you all, I think: “Lord, how good it is that I have such a big, so complex, so incredibly difficult and such a wonderful life.”
Based on materials from the TV programs “Life Line”, “Observer” and “Big Family”, Wikipedia, websites mega-stars.ru and rusakters.ru
Filmography: Actress
- Heart of Russia (1970)
- Loneliness (1965)
- Beloved (1965)
- What is it like, the sea? (1965)
- Green Light (1964)
- There Lives a Guy Like This (1964)
- The Cloud Gatherer (1963)
- There's a Son Somewhere (1962)
- On the Seven Winds (1962)
- Girls (1961)
- Bad Omen (1961)
- Eagle Island (1961)
- You Can't Cross the Bridge (1960)
- It happened in Penkov (1957)
- The Herder's Song (1956)
- Behind the Department Store Window (1955)
- Good Morning (1955)
Filmography: Director
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Princess Hunt (2011)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Vivat, Anna! (2008)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. The Emperor's Second Bride (2003)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Death of the Young Emperor (2003)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. I am the Emperor (2001)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Goliath Falls (2001)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. The Emperor's Testament (2000)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Testament of the Empress (2000)
- Midshipmen-3 (1992)
- Vivat, midshipmen! (1991)
- Midshipmen, forward! (1987)
- Circus Princess (1982)
- Dulcinea Toboso (1980)
- Hussar's Matchmaking (1979)
- Sunshine, Sunshine Again (1976)
- Wish Fulfillment (1973)
- Zinka (1969)
Filmography: Screenwriter
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Princess Hunt (2011)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Vivat, Anna! (2008)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. The Emperor's Second Bride (2003)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Death of the Young Emperor (2003)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. I am the Emperor (2001)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Goliath Falls (2001)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. The Emperor's Testament (2000)
- Secrets of palace coups. Russia, XVIII century. Testament of the Empress (2000)
- Midshipmen-3 (1992)
- Vivat, midshipmen! (1991)
- Midshipmen, forward! (1987)
- Circus Princess (1982)
- Hussar's Matchmaking (1979)
- Sunshine, Sunshine Again (1976)
