Mikhail Levitin: Biography and Creativity

The well-known Russian director, writer, playwright and TV presenter Mikhail Levitin has just turned 70 years old. This is hard to believe, as it is still full of energy, 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 goal of entering a cinematographic university, which he managed to do at the first attempt.

In 1969, Mikhail Levitin graduated from the directing department of GITIS, where he studied at the course of Yuri Zavadsky. His thesis he staged 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 the theatergoers. In the next 10 years he worked actively and fruitfully and managed to put 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 one that did not have a permanent residence permit, which included 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 in the Moscow Theater of Miniatures. It became Levitin's second home for many years to come. The arrival of the young filmmaker dramatically changed the status and direction of this Melpomene church, where they began to put on such unusual authors of that time as Yuri Olesha, Isaak Babel, Mikhail Zhvanetsky, Kurt Vonnegut, Gabriel Marquez and others. Especially memorable for the audience were such innovative productions, As "Chekhonte in the Hermitage" and "Harms! Charms! Shardam! Or the Clown School. "

As a director, Mikhail Levitin distinguished himself by the fact that the first to transfer to the theatrical stage the poetical works and prose of Oberiutians Alexander Vvedensky, Daniil Kharms and Nikolai Oleinikov. In 1990, he also initiated the First International Festival and a scientific conference devoted to their work.

In 1987, Levitin became the main director of the Theater of Miniatures, which was soon renamed the "Hermitage" and began to enjoy incredible popularity

Writing Activities

In the late 70's Michael Levitin (photo below) debuted as a prose writer. His first work, presented to the readers' court, was a story titled "Italian Happiness", which was published in the newspaper "Nedelya" in 1979. Currently, Mikhail Levitin is the author of 16 books and a member of such authoritative organizations as the Writers' Union of Russia and the Russian PEN Club. He was repeatedly published in the journals "Neva", "Youth", "October", "Theater", "Banner" and "Questions of the Theater." In different years he was nominated for the Russian literary prize "Booker" for the novels "Solid Discontent" (1994), "Plutodrama" and "Murderers Are You Fools" (1995), "Brother and Benefactor" (2005) .

Mikhail Levitin is known both as a talented playwright and his plays "I shoot" Pied Piper "", "Psyche and Melochivka", etc. are included in the repertoire of the "Hermitage" theater.

Work on TV

In the period from 2011 to 2013 on the channel "Culture" cycles of author's programs Levitin appeared under the titles "... And Others", "Happy Generation", "Under the Sky of the Theater", etc. They were devoted 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.

Michael Levitin: personal life

In one of his interviews the director confessed that as a child he was outraged by his mother's whims and her unfair reproaches against 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 the subject of gossip, has been considered a real Don Juan since the time of his early youth, and he is credited with novels with at least ten actresses. He does not hide that he is amorous, but does not tolerate intrusion into 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. And they signed only after 6 years of serious relationship. Ostroumov gave birth to his son Mikhail and daughter Olga. They bear the surname of their father and gave him three grandchildren - Zahara, Polina and Faina.

In addition to children from Ostroumova, who herself asked him for a divorce due to frequent treason, Levitin has another child.

The director claims that with age he understood the absurdity of such a phenomenon as marriage, and today above all appreciates personal freedom.

Awards of Mikhail Levitin

In 1991, the director was awarded the honorary title of Honored Artist 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 with interesting performances, prose and dramatic works for several years.