Sergey Zavriev

Sergey Zavriev

Actor

Active: 1931

About Sergey Zavriev

Sergey Zavriev was a Soviet actor whose film career was notably brief but occurred during a pivotal transition period in Russian cinema. He appeared in 1931's 'Out of the Way!' (Russian: 'Уходи, уходи!'), a film directed by Yakov Protazanov, one of the most significant figures of early Russian and Soviet film. Zavriev's work came during the early sound era in the USSR, a time when the film industry was adapting to new technologies while simultaneously navigating the increasing demands of socialist realism as the dominant artistic style. His single known film credit places him within the first generation of Soviet actors to perform in talkies, a medium that required a different set of skills compared to the pantomime and exaggerated expressions of the silent era. While his filmography is limited to this one production, his participation in a Protazanov film suggests he was part of a professional ensemble during a formative period for Soviet cinema. Beyond this single role, detailed records of his life, other potential stage work, or his career after 1931 are scarce, classifying him as a minor figure whose legacy is preserved primarily through his contribution to this specific early sound film. His career serves as an example of the many actors whose contributions to early cinema were significant but remain largely undocumented in broader historical accounts.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in the early Soviet sound film 'Out of the Way!' (1931) directed by the renowned Yakov Protazanov

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • Out of the Way! (1931)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Yakov Protazanov

Studios

  • Goskino (State Committee for Cinematography)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Sergey Zavriev's cultural impact is intrinsically linked to his single film, 'Out of the Way!', which represents a specific moment in the evolution of Soviet cinema. As an actor in an early sound film, he was part of the technical and artistic transition away from silent pictures, a shift that fundamentally changed filmmaking and acting styles worldwide. While his individual contribution was minor, the collective work of actors like him in these transitional films helped establish the conventions of Soviet sound cinema. These films often served as vehicles for the state's cultural ideology, and every actor, regardless of the size of their role, contributed to the creation of the socialist realist aesthetic that would dominate Soviet art for decades. His presence in a Protazanov film places him within a lineage of artists who helped navigate the complex relationship between artistic expression and political mandate during the Stalinist era.

Lasting Legacy

The legacy of Sergey Zavriev is that of a representative figure of the countless working actors who formed the backbone of the early Soviet film industry. While not a star whose name is remembered today, his contribution is preserved within the historical record of 'Out of the Way!', a film studied by cinema historians for its place in the filmography of Yakov Protazanov and its reflection of early Soviet sound cinema. He exemplifies the transient nature of fame for many performers in the 20th century, whose work exists as part of a larger artistic and historical tapestry rather than as a standalone career. For film scholars and enthusiasts, Zavriev's name serves as a reminder of the many anonymous or semi-anonymous talents who were essential to creating the cinematic masterpieces of the past.

Who They Inspired

Due to the brevity of his known film career and the lack of documentation about his work outside of 'Out of the Way!', there is no available information to suggest that Sergey Zavriev directly influenced other actors or filmmakers. His influence, if any, would be at the most micro-level, potentially affecting the performances of scene partners or the local theater community if he was active there. His primary legacy is not one of influence but of participation in a key transitional period of film history, serving as a small but integral part of the machinery that produced the cinema of his time.

Off Screen

Very little is documented about the personal life of Sergey Zavriev. As an actor with only one known film credit from the early Soviet era, biographical details such as his family life, relationships, and personal history were not widely recorded or have been lost over time. The lack of information is common for many supporting actors from this period in Soviet cinema, whose lives were not considered of public interest in the same way as directors or principal stars.

Did You Know?

  • Sergey Zavriev's entire known filmography consists of a single film, 'Out of the Way!' from 1931.
  • He worked with director Yakov Protazanov, a pioneering Russian and Soviet filmmaker who began his career before the 1917 revolution.
  • 'Out of the Way!' was one of the earliest Soviet sound films, placing Zavriev among the first generation of actors to perform with recorded dialogue in the USSR.
  • Information about actors from this era in the Soviet Union is often scarce, as detailed biographical records were not typically maintained for supporting cast members.
  • His career spanned the exact year of 1931, making him one of the most briefly documented actors in cinematic history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Sergey Zavriev?

Sergey Zavriev was a Soviet actor active in the early 1930s, known exclusively for his role in the 1931 film 'Out of the Way!'. He was part of the first generation of actors to work in Soviet sound cinema.

What films is Sergey Zavriev best known for?

Sergey Zavriev is known for only one film: 'Out of the Way!' (Уходи, уходи!), directed by the prominent filmmaker Yakov Protazanov.

When was Sergey Zavriev born and when did he die?

The exact dates of birth and death for Sergey Zavriev are not documented in available historical records. He is known to have been active as an actor in the Soviet Union in 1931.

What awards did Sergey Zavriev win?

There are no records of Sergey Zavriev receiving any major awards or nominations for his work. As a minor actor with only one film credit, such recognition would have been unlikely.

What was Sergey Zavriev's acting style?

Specific details about Sergey Zavriev's acting style are unknown. However, as an actor in an early Soviet sound film, his performance would have been influenced by the transition from silent film pantomime to the more naturalistic style required for talkies, within the emerging conventions of socialist realism.

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Films

1 film