Oleksandr Dovzhenko – 20th-century Ukrainian filmmaker and writer, creator of “Earth” and “Zvenyhora,” which brought him global acclaim. A founder of poetic cinema, he fused myth, nature, and emotion into a unique visual style. Dovzhenko also left diaries that candidly reflected on his era.
🎬 His film “Earth” (1930) is ranked among the greatest in world cinema. 📚 Began as a teacher and painter before turning to film. 🌍 Worked in Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Moscow, yet always highlighted Ukrainian motifs. ⚔ Served as a war correspondent during WWII. 🖋 His diaries contain candid reflections, often at odds with Soviet orthodoxy. 🏛 Founded a screenwriting workshop in Moscow, training new generations of filmmakers. 😮 Odd fact: first considered a career as a newspaper cartoonist, but chose cinema instead. 😂 Funny: on set, he would act out every role himself – even a tractor – to explain the scene.