Shepitko, Larissa (1938–1979)

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Shepitko, Larissa (1938–1979)

Soviet filmmaker. Name variations: Larisa Shepitko or Shepit'ko. Born Jan 6, 1938, in Artyomovsk, eastern Ukraine; died June 2, 1979, in an automobile accident outside Moscow; educated at VGIK state film school; studied with Alexander Dovzhenko; m. Elem Klimov (film director); children: 1 son.

Acclaimed director, made 1st successful feature, Znoi (Heat, 1963), at age 22; received guarded praise from Soviet press for Krylya (Wings, 1966), which focused on a celebrated fighter pilot during World War II as she adjusts to the more traditional role expected of a woman in postwar Soviet society; completed 1st color film, Ty i ya (You and I, 1971); though her films were unofficially suppressed in Soviet Union, received international attention; was frequently compared to Alain Resnais. Won a Golden Bear for Voskhozdenie (The Ascent) at Berlin Film Festival (1977).

See also Women in World History.

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Shepitko, Larissa (1938–1979)

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