Russian actress Tatiana Samoilova was a legend of Soviet and Russian cinema. She is known to millions of viewers as Veronica in the film by Mikhail Kalatozov “The Cranes Are Flying” and Anna Karenina in the adaptation of the classic novel by Leo Tolstoy. The role of Veronica in “The Cranes Are Flying” brought her international fame and the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Festival XI (1957). Samoilova met Pablo Picasso who predicted “tomorrow you will be driving in a car through Hollywood”. Tatiana Samoilova left this world on the same day, when came into it: 4 May she was 80 years old. Shortly before the anniversary Tatiana was in the hospital with a heightened heart disease and high blood pressure. The only son of actress – Dmitry Samoilov, who is now 45 years old, lives in the U.S., where he works as a radiologist
Tatiana was married four times. Her first love and husband was then aspiring actor Vasily Lanovoi. They met while studying at the institute. Their marriage lasted only two years – from 1956 to 1958. However, later – in 1967 – in the film by Alexander Zarkhi “Anna Karenina” Tatiana Samoilova and Vasily Lanovoi (he played Alexei Vronsky) were a couple.
Biography of Tatiana Samoilova
Tatiana Samoilova was born May 4, 1934 in Leningrad – her father was Soviet actor Yevgeny Samoilov. In 1937 the family moved to Moscow. At school, Samoilova engaged in a ballet studio at the Theater of Stanislavsky and Nemirovich- Danchenko.
In 1956 she graduated from the Theater School of Shchukin. 1957 she played one of his most significant film roles – Veronica in the film of Michael Kalatozov “The Cranes Are Flying” on Victor Rozov’s “Forever Alive”. This film got “Palme d’Or” of XI Cannes International Film Festival. Tatiana Samoilova was awarded a Special Diploma for Best Actress and Jury Prize “orange tree”.
Film career
Returning after the Cannes Film Festival to Moscow, Samoilova entered the State Institute of Theatrical Arts. In 1958 she was admitted to the Theatre of Vladimir Mayakovsky, then moved to the Theatre of Vakhtangov, where she worked until 1960.
In 1959 Tatiana Samoilova again starred in Mikhail Kalatozov’s romantic drama “Unsent Letter”. 1967, the actress won the role in the film by Alexander Zarchi, adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s novel ‘Anna Karenina’.
1967-1992 she worked in the studio theater, and then – in the Theater of Modern Drama.
In 1990, Samoilova was the guest of honor of the 43rd Cannes Film Festival, where she was awarded a special prize for creative contribution to the art of cinema. Then next to the Palais des Festival appeared the plague with the imprint of her hand.
In 1999, after a long break, she re-appeared on the screen in the film by Alexander Atanesyan “Twenty-Four.”
Tatiana Samoilova – People’s Artist of Russia (1992). Laureate of the National Academy of Cinematographic Sciences “Golden Eagle” (2002). Awarded the Order “Badge of Honor” and Honor.
Filmography:
- 1955 Mexican
- 1957 The Cranes Are Flying
- 1959 unsent letter
- 1960 Leon Garros looking for a friend
- 1961 Alba Regia
- 1964 They went to East
- 1967 Anna Karenina
- 1967 soldiers without uniforms
- City in the Caucasus 1972
- Unexpected joy 1972
- 1972 Long road to short day
- 1973 No Return
- 1974 Ocean
- 1975 Diamonds for the dictatorship of the proletariat
- 1991 Anna Karamazoff
- 2000 24 Hours
- 2000 No death for me – movie character
- 2004 Moscow Saga
- 2004 Saint-Germain
- 2008 Nirvana