Elem Klimov facts for kids

Elem Germanovich Klimov (Russian: Элем Германович Климов; born July 9, 1933 – died October 26, 2003) was a famous filmmaker from the Soviet Union and Russia. He studied at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, a well-known film school. He was married to another film director, Larisa Shepitko.

Klimov is most famous for his last film, Come and See, made in 1985. This movie tells the story of a teenage boy in Belarus during World War II. Many people think it is one of the greatest films ever made. Klimov also made different kinds of movies, including funny black comedies, films for children, and historical dramas.

Elem Klimov's Early Life

Elem Klimov was born in a city called Stalingrad. His parents were German Stepanovich Klimov and Kaleria Georgievna Klimova. His first name, Elem, was chosen in a special way. His brother said it came from a character in a book by Jack London.

During the big battle of Stalingrad in World War II, Elem, his mother, and his baby brother had to leave their home. They crossed the Volga River on a simple raft to escape. Klimov later used these real-life experiences to help him make his powerful film Come and See.

In 1957, Klimov finished his studies at the Higher Institute of Aviation in Moscow. He thought about becoming a journalist first. But then he decided to go into filmmaking. He joined the state film school, the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. There, he learned from a famous director named Efim Dzigan. While he was a student, Klimov met Larisa Shepitko, who later became his wife.

Elem Klimov passed away on October 26, 2003, after being ill for a while. He was buried in the Troyekurovskoye Cemetery in Moscow.

Elem Klimov's Film Career

Klimov's first major film was Welcome, or No Trespassing (1964). It was a funny story about a children's summer camp. The movie gently made fun of how things were organized in the Soviet Union. At first, the film was not allowed to be shown. But then, a leader named Nikita Khrushchev watched it and said it could be released.

His second film, Adventures of a Dentist (1965), was a dark comedy. It was about a dentist who was very good at his job. He could pull teeth without causing pain. But his colleagues didn't like his special talent. The movie suggested that society sometimes doesn't like people who are too gifted. Officials didn't like this message. They told Klimov to change the film, but he refused. So, the film was shown in only a few movie theaters.

Klimov then started making a film about Grigori Rasputin called Agony. It took him nine years to get this film released.

In 1979, a sad event happened. Klimov's wife, Larisa Shepitko, died in a car accident. She was working on a film called Farewell to Matyora. A year later, Klimov made a short film called "Larisa" (1980) to honor his wife. He then finished the film she had started, which was released in 1983 as Farewell.

His wife's death greatly affected Klimov. His next films became more serious. His most famous film, Come and See, was released in 1985. It won a top award at the 14th Moscow International Film Festival. The movie shows the difficult experiences of a 15-year-old boy joining the resistance in Belarus during World War II. Klimov said that he used his own childhood memories of the war to make the film. He said he only showed some of what he knew because the full truth would be too hard to watch.

After the success of Come and See, Klimov was chosen to lead the Filmmakers' Union in 1986. During his time as leader, many films that were previously banned were finally released. He also helped directors who had faced political problems. This period was important for Soviet cinema.

Klimov stepped down from his leadership role in 1988. He wanted to make films again. However, he did not complete any more films after Come and See. In 2000, he said he had "lost interest in making films." He felt he had already done everything he wanted to do.

Elem Klimov's Films

• Beware: Vulgarity (1959)
• The Groom (short film) (1960)
• Look, the Sky! (1962)
• Welcome, or No Trespassing (1964)
• Adventures of a Dentist (1965)
• Fitil (1968, 1972)
• Sport, Sport, Sport (1970)
• Larisa (documentary short film about his wife) (1980)
• Agony (1981)
• Farewell (1983)
• Come and See (1985)

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