Death of popular Russian director
mainEldar Ryazanov, director of the top-selling Soviet-era musical comedy film Karnavalnaya Noch (Carnival Night), has died at 88. The film sold 50 million tickets, but Ryazanov soon felt the heavy hand of Soviet censorship.
After several brushes with the authorities, Chelovek iz Niotkuda (Man from Nowhere) was suppressed for 20 years because the humourless Soviet premier Leonid Brezhnev thought it was about him.
Ryazanov was, however, too popular with audiences to keep under wraps forever. Among other distinctions, he had an asteroid named after him in outer space.
He was a deeply musical man too, very sensitive and discerning when it came to the choice of composers and singers for his films. He has written some excellent lyrics for the songs as well. But nobody seems to care around here, not a single comment. RIP Maestro.
Rest in peace a great artist and a true human being. We grew up on his movies. It’s hard to express the sense of loss my generation is feeling.