Nikolay Lazarev

Actor

Active: 1927

About Nikolay Lazarev

Nikolay Lazarev was a Soviet actor who appeared during the silent film era of the 1920s. His known filmography consists of a single appearance in the 1927 comedy 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin,' a Soviet production that satirized the provincial gentry class. Like many actors of early Soviet cinema, his career appears to have been brief, possibly limited to the transitional period between silent films and the emergence of sound cinema. His participation in this film suggests he was part of the burgeoning Soviet film industry that was developing its own cinematic language following the 1917 revolution. Unfortunately, detailed records about supporting actors from this period are scarce, making it difficult to trace his broader career trajectory or personal background. His single known film role places him within the context of early Soviet comedy filmmaking, which often used satire to critique social classes and promote revolutionary values.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin' (1927)

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

  • Unknown role in 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin'

Must-See Films

  • The Gentlefolks of Skotinin (1927)

Working Relationships

Studios

  • Likely affiliated with Soviet state film studios of the 1920s

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

As a minor actor in early Soviet cinema, Nikolay Lazarev contributed to the development of a distinctly Soviet film tradition that emerged in the 1920s. This period was crucial for establishing cinema as a tool for social education and political messaging in the newly formed Soviet Union. Even in supporting roles, actors like Lazarev were part of creating films that reflected the revolutionary ideals and social critiques central to early Soviet artistic expression. The film he appeared in, 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin,' represents the genre of social satire that was prominent in Soviet cinema of this era, using humor to critique pre-revolutionary social structures and promote new Soviet values.

Lasting Legacy

Nikolay Lazarev's legacy is primarily preserved through his participation in early Soviet cinema, a period that laid the groundwork for the Soviet film industry's later achievements. While he may not have achieved widespread recognition, his work contributes to our understanding of the collaborative nature of film production in the 1920s Soviet Union. The preservation of 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin' ensures that even minor performers from this era remain part of cinema's historical record. His brief career exemplifies the transient nature of many early film actors' careers, particularly those in supporting roles during the transition from silent to sound cinema.

Who They Inspired

Due to the limited documentation of his career and the brevity of his known film work, specific influences that Nikolay Lazarev may have had on other actors or filmmakers cannot be definitively traced. However, like all participants in early Soviet cinema, he was part of an influential movement that would later impact global filmmaking through directors like Eisenstein and Pudovkin, even if his individual contribution was modest.

Off Screen

Very little is known about Nikolay Lazarev's personal life, which is common for supporting actors from the early Soviet film period whose records were not extensively documented or preserved.

Did You Know?

  • Appeared in only one known film during his entire career
  • Participated during the golden age of Soviet silent cinema
  • His only known film was a comedy satirizing the Russian gentry class
  • The film title references a character from Denis Fonvizin's 18th-century play 'The Minor'
  • Acted during a period when Soviet cinema was developing its unique identity separate from Hollywood and European traditions
  • Early Soviet actors often worked for state-controlled film studios
  • Many records from this period of Soviet cinema were lost or poorly documented

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Nikolay Lazarev?

Nikolay Lazarev was a Soviet actor from the silent film era, known primarily for his appearance in the 1927 comedy 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin.' His career appears to have been brief, with only this one film credit documented.

What films is Nikolay Lazarev best known for?

Nikolay Lazarev is known for appearing in only one film: 'The Gentlefolks of Skotinin' (1927), a Soviet comedy that satirized the provincial gentry class.

When was Nikolay Lazarev born and when did he die?

Specific birth and death dates for Nikolay Lazarev are not documented in available historical records, which is common for supporting actors from early Soviet cinema.

What awards did Nikolay Lazarev win?

There are no recorded awards or nominations for Nikolay Lazarev, which is typical for many supporting actors from the early Soviet film period.

What was Nikolay Lazarev's acting style?

Due to limited documentation and the fact that only one of his films survives in record, specific details about Nikolay Lazarev's acting style cannot be determined with certainty.

Why is there so little information about Nikolay Lazarev?

The scarcity of information about Nikolay Lazarev reflects the broader challenge of documenting the careers of supporting actors from early Soviet cinema, where records were often incomplete and many archives were lost over time.

Films

1 film