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Russian director Pyotr Todorovsky died in Moscow on Friday at 87.
Todorovsky, a World War II veteran, began his career in cinema as a director of photography. He photographed several classical Soviet films, including 1956’s Vesna na Zarechnoy Ulitse (Spring on Zarechnaya Street), directed by Marlen Khutsiyev and Feliks Mironer.
Todorovsky made his directorial debut in 1962 with the drama Nikogda (Never) and he became an important director rather late in his career. In 1981, he made the popular melodrama Lyubimaya Zhenshchina Mekhanika Gavrilova (The Mechanic Gavrilov’s Beloved Woman). It was followed by Voyenno-Polevoy Roman (Wartime Romance), a melodrama set during WWII, which was shortlisted for the best foreign language film Oscar in 1985 and brought the Berlin Film Festival’s best actress Silver Bear to lead Inna Churikova.
Todorovsky’s next movie was the 1989 box office champion Interdevochka (Intergirl), centered on prostitution, which for many years was a taboo topic in the Soviet Union. The movie brought Yelena Yakovleva, the lead actress, the Russian award Nika and the best actress award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where the film also collected the Special Jury Prize.
Todorovsky’s last film was 2008’s WWII drama Riorita. He also scored most of his films.
Todorovsky is survived by wife Mira Todorovskaya, the producer of several of his films, and son Valery Todorovsky, a well-known film director.
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