The history of cinema is a little over a hundred years old. Specialists came to this field of activity in different ways. One of them began to write scripts and in the course of the process mastered the profession of a director. Another was an actor himself and discovered an additional facet of talent in himself. And someone was professionally engaged in photography. And at some point I decided to expand my role. Alexander Konstantinovich Kott began his professional career as a photojournalist in a newspaper. The experience gained was also useful to him in filmmaking. Today he is a renowned filmmaker.
Difficult childhood
The galaxy of Russian filmmakers grew and was brought up on the soil cultivated by their predecessors. As often happens in life, some absorbed the experience of their ancestors, while others completely rejected it. Alexander Kott does not fit into any of these categories. Apparently, the circumstances of his personal life, the situation in the family and the immediate environment directed him towards independence in views and judgments. The biography of the cult director says that he was born on February 22, 1973. An ordinary Soviet family. Parents lived in Moscow. His father worked in the construction industry, his mother was a teacher at school.
It is interesting to note that Alexander was born at the same time as his brother Vladimir. They are twin brothers. Taking advantage of this feature, brothers in childhood and adolescence often played around. By and large, they grew up serious and independent. When the brothers were fourteen years old, their mother suddenly died. The father had to make great efforts to bring the children into people. Sasha studied well at school. He attended the studio of aesthetic education at the theater on Krasnaya Presnya. From an early age he gravitated towards drawing and after a while became interested in photography.
Having received a certificate of maturity, the young man got a job at the editorial office of the newspaper as a photojournalist. He had to regularly go on business trips on the instructions of the editor. On trips, he learned the details of real life, which were not customary to talk about on the newspaper pages. He exhibited his photographs in various galleries and exhibitions. The career of a photojournalist was developing well, but Alexander decided to expand his creative role and entered the Institute of Culture. In 1994, his creative plans changed, and he transferred to VGIK, to receive a special education, and adopt the experience of one of the masters of Russian cinema, Vladimir Khotinenko.
During his studies, Alexander was lucky to take part in Andrzej Wajda's master class. To do this, I had to visit the ancient and mysterious city of Krakow. From the Polish director, many of his colleagues learn to respect the history of their homeland. A young student from Russia heeded the advice of a famous colleague. Kott skillfully used the acquired knowledge and approaches to the disclosure of the topic in his further work. Already Alexander's student works attract the attention of specialists with their balance and brevity.
Approval in the profession
Viewers and critics know precedents when, having removed one successful picture, the director wakes up famous in the morning. Something similar happened in the work of Alexander Kott. Short films, which were filmed as students, forced fellow workers and teachers to take a closer look at the style of the novice director. The picture "The Photographer", released in 1997, was filmed without any special claims to recognition. However, the reality turned out to be completely different. With this film, director Kott attended various international film festivals almost thirty times.
Yes, the short film made the cinematic crowd talk about the young director, but this is clearly not enough to establish himself in the profession. Alexander Kott made another contribution to the collection of films worthy of discussion in 2001. The full-length film “Two drivers were driving” was warmly greeted by the audience. Many viewers, especially representatives of the older generation, recognized the legendary chauffeur Kolka Snegirev in the protagonist. The one who absurdly died on the legendary Chuisky tract.
Director Kott gradually, without haste and loud announcements, works, as they say, fills his hand. The next large-scale project was the disaster film "Convoy PQ-17". Alexander set himself a difficult task. The author of the novel, Valentin Pikul, is well known in Russia. In order for a picture to correspond to the spirit and pathos of the work, special approaches and forms of expression are required. According to critics and viewers, eight episodes of the picture look in the same breath. The next appeal to classical literature was the series “Pechorin. Hero of our time". The result is convincing.
In the frame - wife
The film "Brest Fortress" should be especially noted. In all respects, the picture deserves high marks. Older people can compare it with the best productions of the Soviet era. The younger generation, for the most part, is silent. In this context, it makes sense to say a few words about the personal life of Alexander Kott. The director met his future wife back in 1996. The girl was then only seven years old. The date took place on the set. Preparing for the release of the next issue of the children's newsreel "Yeralash".
Many years have passed since that moment, and Anna Tsukanova entered the Shchukin School. Their paths crossed again. Alexander, as a normal man and a well-mannered person, at first did not take seriously the declaration of love from the "snotty girl". The age difference of 16 is no joke. But Anna did not even think to joke. Over time, everything fell into place. Husband and wife live under the same roof. The family has two children, son Mikhail and daughter Leia. The venerable director invites his wife to participate in projects on a general basis. And she likes it.
