The formation of Soviet cinema took place in difficult socio-economic conditions. In the 1920s, screenwriters, directors, and actors weren't chasing big fees. They served high art. Among them was Elena Kuzmina.
Children's hobbies
Dreams and hopes are not for old people. Young people tend to dream. Life experience shows that few undertake to pave the way to their dreams. The future film actress Elena Aleksandrovna Kuzmina was born on February 17, 1909 in the family of a geologist engineer. The family at that time lived in the city of Tiflis. My father was conducting research on the route where it was planned to build a railway. The mother was engaged in housekeeping and raising her daughter. The head of the family, as needed, was transferred to other, very remote areas. For some time the family had to live in the famous Tashkent.
After the completion of prospecting work, the Kuzmins always returned to their native Tiflis. By all parameters and estimates, this city was listed as the cultural capital of the Transcaucasus. Educational institutions and theaters operated here. Cinematography was considered a favorite entertainment among residents. It was in this city that Elena graduated from high school. Most of all she liked to visit the cinema hall on weekends. The girl grew up in a cultural environment. I read and collected a lot of postcards with portraits of famous foreign film actresses. And I seriously thought about acting in films myself.
Since Elena had an inquiring mind and persistent character, which was passed on to her from her dad, she was preparing to make her dream come true. Someone from her acquaintances told her that specialized education can be obtained at the "Factory of the Eccentric Actor", which operates in Leningrad. Branded from childhood with a passion alone, Kuzmina, having received a certificate of maturity, came to the city on the Neva and entered a cult educational institution. Elena mastered the basics of acting with great desire and even pleasure.
Already in her student years, she was involved in filming in various films. Participating in extras, Kuzmina was able to attract the attention of the audience. In the late 1920s, cinema was still silent. The aspiring actress has perfectly mastered the technique of mimic expression of feelings. Looking at her, one could understand without words what thought and feeling she was expressing. In her fourth year, she played the role of the communal woman Louise in the historical and revolutionary epic "New Babylon". A year later, having received her diploma, she came to work at the Sovkino studio.
Professional activity
During the period when Elena Kuzmina was comprehending the intricacies of acting, a certain concept was formed in the cinema, which should reflect the current life. In a real situation, women with a decisive character came to the fore, who had the strength to resist the old, obsolete traditions. It is not surprising that Kuzmina's heroines met these requirements. In the films "Twenty-Two Misfortunes", "Horizon", "Alone", released on screens in the early 30s, viewers saw real women who turned into women.
Kuzmina's acting career did not develop quickly, but thoroughly. Elena convincingly embodied diverse characters on the screen. In the film "By the Blue Sea" she played a young fisherwoman. An open, sincere and decisive girl who simply did not know how to hide her feelings. An important milestone in his work and personal life was the cult film Thirteen, released in 1936. Here Elena Alexandrovna was embodied in the image of a mature and wise woman. And in the movie "Duel" - an indifferent and stupid bourgeoisie.
Awards and achievements
When the war began, Elena Kuzmina, together with the troupe of the Moscow Theater of Film Actor, was evacuated to the grain city of Tashkent. It is important to note that feature films on military themes were shot deep in the rear. In 1943, the film “Dream” was released, which told about what life will be like after the Victory. A year later, Kuzmina played the main role in the film "Man No. 217", for which she was awarded the Stalin Prize of the second degree. This film, without any exaggeration, was watched by the whole country.
In 1950, Elena Aleksandrovna Kuzmina was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. And the next season, she received the Stalin Prize for her role as an enemy agent in the film "Russian Question". The play of the actress was appreciated even by foreign critics, which was a rarity in those days. Kuzmina appeared in the form of an embittered and cynical lady, but at the same time touchingly defenseless. The actress performed another iconic role in the adventure film "Secret Mission", once again confirming that she is a great actress.
Essays on personal life
For her creative work on the screen, Elena Alexandrovna received a worthy set of awards and incentives. However, the personal life of the cult actress developed only from the second take. She first married director Boris Barnett while still a student. The first feeling flared up and quickly burned out. But the daughter Natalya remained.
The second marriage took shape, as often happens, in the workplace. Elena starred in the film with the promising director Mikhail Romm. Gradually, the venerable director began to notice in the young actress not only creativity, but also human qualities. In 1936 they became husband and wife. The union turned out to be happy and fruitful. Mikhail Romm died in 1971. Eight years later, Elena Kuzmina passed away. The couple are buried at the Novodevichy cemetery.
