Elena Taranova

Actor

Active: 1948

About Elena Taranova

Elena Taranova was a Soviet actress who appeared during the post-World War II period of Soviet cinema. Her entire known film career consists of a single appearance in the 1948 film 'First-Year Student' (Pervokursnitsa), directed by Ilya Frez. This film was one of the notable productions of the late Stalinist era, focusing on the lives of young Soviet students. Taranova's brief appearance in this film represents her complete documented filmography, suggesting she may have been either a minor character actress, a student actor, or someone who briefly entered the film industry without pursuing it as a long-term career. The limited documentation of her work is typical for many supporting actors in Soviet cinema of this period, particularly those who appeared in only one or two productions. Her role, while part of a significant film of its era, has not been extensively documented in Soviet film archives or international cinema databases.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in the Soviet film 'First-Year Student' (1948)

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • First-Year Student (1948)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Ilya Frez (director)

Studios

  • Gorky Film Studio

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Elena Taranova's contribution to cinema, while minimal in scope, is part of the broader tapestry of Soviet film history during the late 1940s. Her appearance in 'First-Year Student' places her within the context of post-war Soviet cinema, which focused heavily on themes of youth, education, and socialist values. Although her role was minor, she participated in a film that reflected the cultural and ideological priorities of the Stalin era, contributing to the cinematic documentation of Soviet life during this period. Her brief career exemplifies how many Soviet films utilized ensemble casts of both professional and non-professional actors to create authentic representations of Soviet society.

Lasting Legacy

Elena Taranova's legacy is primarily that of a representative example of the many minor actors who contributed to Soviet cinema during its golden age but left little documentary trace. Her single known film appearance in 'First-Year Student' ensures her place in film history, however small, as part of the ensemble that brought this significant Soviet film to life. While she did not achieve lasting fame or recognition, her participation in this production represents the collaborative nature of Soviet filmmaking, where even minor roles contributed to the overall artistic and ideological impact of the cinema of the era.

Who They Inspired

Due to the extremely limited nature of her film career, there is no documented evidence of Elena Taranova's influence on other actors or directors. Her brief appearance in a single Soviet film does not appear to have had a lasting impact on subsequent generations of performers or filmmakers, which is typical for actors with minimal filmographies during this period of Soviet cinema.

Off Screen

Very limited information is available about Elena Taranova's personal life, which is typical for minor Soviet actors of the 1940s who appeared in only one or two films. Her brief film career suggests she may have been primarily active in another profession or was a student actor who did not pursue acting as a long-term career.

Did You Know?

  • Elena Taranova's entire known film career consists of just one film from 1948
  • She appeared in 'First-Year Student' (Pervokursnitsa), one of the notable Soviet films of the late 1940s
  • The film she appeared in was directed by prominent Soviet director Ilya Frez
  • Her brief career spanned only the year 1948, making her one of the shortest-documented careers in Soviet cinema
  • Like many minor Soviet actors of this period, detailed biographical information about her life is scarce
  • The film she appeared in focused on the lives of Soviet students, a popular theme in post-war Soviet cinema

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Elena Taranova?

Elena Taranova was a Soviet actress who had an extremely brief film career, appearing in only one known film, 'First-Year Student' (1948). She was active during the post-World War II period of Soviet cinema and worked with director Ilya Frez on this production.

What films is Elena Taranova best known for?

Elena Taranova is known for her single appearance in the Soviet film 'First-Year Student' (1948), also known as 'Pervokursnitsa' in Russian. This was her only documented film credit, representing her entire known filmography.

When was Elena Taranova born and when did she die?

Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Elena Taranova are not documented in available film archives or databases. This is common for minor Soviet actors of the 1940s who appeared in only one or two productions.

What awards did Elena Taranova win?

There are no documented awards or nominations for Elena Taranova. Given her brief career consisting of only one film appearance, she did not receive formal recognition from Soviet or international film organizations.

What was Elena Taranova's acting style?

Due to the limited documentation of her work and the fact that she appeared in only one film, there is insufficient information to determine Elena Taranova's specific acting style or techniques. Her role in 'First-Year Student' was likely minor.

Why is so little information available about Elena Taranova?

The scarcity of information about Elena Taranova is typical for minor Soviet actors of the 1940s who had brief careers. Soviet film archives often focused on major stars and directors, while supporting actors and those with minimal filmographies received little documentation.

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Films

1 film