A man with principles: Vladimir Menshov left
At the age of 82, the great director Vladimir Menshov passed away. Left due to the consequences of coronavirus.
Now there will be many texts about Menshov - correct and not. I recommend reading everything, because he deserves it. And if the text is talented, you will learn a lot from it. Because Menshov is a history textbook in itself. Here I will say the main thing.
I was lucky enough to know Vladimir Valentinovich. We met at the “Assembly Point” festival, where Menshov was the guest of honor. And I organized this festival in Sevastopol. And Vladimir Valentinovich amazed me. Firstly, the fiery character. And, secondly, steely sincerity and consistency in beliefs. Later we met more than once. I also visited his apartment on Tverskaya-Yamskaya. He lived, by the way, very modestly.
He was loved by different generations. I remember we came to him to film an interview for my film. And the operator was such a fashionable guy - very modern. And, apparently, I didn’t immediately understand who we were going to. And when I realized it, I was, let’s say, dumbfounded. I saw him struggling to lift his camera. I saw him secretly filming a video on his phone - they say, I’m visiting a genius here. Then I sent this video to all my girlfriends. And those youngsters were bursting with delight. Everyone loved Menshov. Without exception.
Although he was by no means a simple person. On the contrary – complex, prickly. But this is the only way it happens when a person has his own principles and beliefs. Remember how Menshov refused to present a prize to the film “Bastards” at one of the ceremony. He said: “This movie is a disgrace to my country,” he said and left. He was like that in life too. Always with your own views on absolutely everything. A person who sincerely believes in collective values, in mercy, who believes in the Russian people. In principle, you rarely see this, and especially among creative people.
This bothered him, of course. Inconvenience, independence. Because it was Menshov who, at the turn of the era, said very important – fundamental – things for the Russian people. He and also Alexey Balabanov. They recorded what our self-awareness is impossible without. And, like no one else, Vladimir Valentinovich understood the rigmarole that was happening around. I understood deeply, I understood clearly. And he deciphered it for us - and thereby helped us live.
Great director. And a great man. It is rare for two such categories to coincide.
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