The famous Russian director, writer, playwright and television presenter Mikhail Levitin recently turned 70 years old. This is hard to believe, as he is still full of strength, energy and new creative plans.
Mikhail Levitin: biography
The future director and writer was born in 1945 in Odessa. At the age of 16, he came to the capital with the aim of enrolling in a cinematic university, which he managed to do on the first try.
In 1969, Mikhail Levitin graduated from the directing department of GITIS, where he studied at the course of Yuri Zavadsky. He staged his thesis at the Taganka Theater. At the same time, Levitin immediately declared himself as a director who has something to say to the audience, and quickly gained fame among theater-goers. Over the next 10 years he worked actively and fruitfully and managed to stage more than a dozen performances in the capital, Leningrad, Riga and other cities of the former USSR.
In addition, he created the Buffonade Studio at the Kurchatov Institute and another, which did not have a permanent “residence permit”, which included then young artists Liya Akhedzhakova, Svetlana Bragarnik, Vsevolod Abdulov, Olga Ostroumova, Ivan Dykhovichny, Albert Filozov, Mikhail Yanushkevich and Olga Shirokova.
Work in the theater of miniatures
1978 was a turning point for Levitin. He was invited to work at the Moscow Theater of Miniatures. He became the second home of Levitin for many years to come. The arrival of the young director dramatically changed the status and direction of this Melpomene temple, where they began to put on authors unusual for that time, such as Yuri Olesha, Isaak Babel, Mikhail Zhvanetsky, Kurt Vonnegut, Gabriel Marquez and others. The audience was especially remembered for such innovative productions at the time, like Chekhonte at the Hermitage and Harms! Charms! Shardam! or School of Clowns. "
As a director, Mikhail Levitin distinguished himself by being the first to transfer poetry and prose of the Oberiuts Alexander Vvedensky, Daniil Kharms and Nikolai Oleinikov to the stage. In 1990, he initiated the First International Festival and a scientific conference dedicated to their work.
In 1987, Levitin became the main director of the Miniature Theater, which was soon renamed the Hermitage and began to enjoy incredible popularity.
Writing
In the late 70s, Mikhail Levitin (photo see below) made his debut as a prose writer. His first work, submitted to the readers' court, was a story entitled "Italian Happiness", which was published in the newspaper "Week" in 1979. Currently, Mikhail Levitin is the author of 16 books and a member of such authoritative organizations as the Union of Writers of Russia and the Russian PEN Club. He was repeatedly published in the magazines Neva, Youth, October, Theater, Banner, and Questions of the Theater. Over the years, he was nominated for the Russian literary award Booker for the novels “Complete indecency” (1994), “Plutodrama” and “Assassins - you are fools” (1995), “Brother and Benefactor” (2005) .
Mikhail Levitin is also known as a talented playwright, and his plays “I film“ Pied Piper ”,“ Crazy and Little Things ”and others are included in the repertoire of the Hermitage Theater.
Work on television
In the period from 2011 to 2013 on the channel “Culture” there were cycles of Levitin’s author’s programs entitled “... And Others”, “Happy Generation”, “Under the Theater Sky”, etc. They were dedicated to the life and work of famous actors, playwrights and directors of the past and present, as well as the fate of their most significant works.
Mikhail Levitin: personal life
In one of his interviews, the director admitted that as a child he was outraged by the vagaries of his mother and her unjust reproaches to his beloved father. In his opinion, this left a serious imprint on his relationship with the opposite sex. At the same time, Mikhail Levitin, whose personal life has always been a subject of gossip, from the time of early youth to this day is considered a real Don Juan, and he is credited with novels with at least a dozen actresses. He does not hide that he is in love, but does not tolerate an invasion of his personal space. Nevertheless, Mikhail Levitin was married three times. His marriage to the famous actress and one of the most beautiful women of the Soviet Union - Olga Ostroumova - lasted 17 years. Moreover, they signed only after 6 years of serious relationship. Ostroumova gave birth to his son Mikhail and daughter Olga. They bear the name of their father and gave him three grandchildren - Zakhar, Polina and Faina.
In addition to children from Ostroumova, who herself asked him for a divorce due to frequent cheating, Levitin has another child.
The director claims that with age he understood the absurdity of such a phenomenon as marriage, and today he values ​​personal freedom above all else.
Awards of Mikhail Levitin
In 1991, the director was awarded the honorary title of Honored Art Worker of the RSFSR, and three years later - People's Artist of Russia. In addition, in 2006, Mikhail Levitin was awarded the Order of Honor.
Now you know some details of the biography of Mikhail Levitin, who, despite his age, promises to surprise the audience for more than one year with interesting productions, prose and dramatic works.