Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Mosfilm Film Concern – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
March 30, 2026
News editorial office
The director's friends, colleagues, and allies gathered at Mosfilm's Cinema Center to remember his creative journey, his unique talent, and his contribution to preserving Russian culture. The evening, timed to coincide with the master's anniversary, featured reminiscences, documentary footage, and songs from his legendary films.
A gala evening dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Stanislav Sergeyevich Govorukhin's birth (1936–2018) was held at the Mosfilm Cinema and Concert Hall. The legendary film studio was attended by those who knew the director personally, who worked with him on set, and who shared his time in the State Duma. Friends and colleagues gathered to relive cherished moments from the master's life and work.
Before the evening began, guests were treated to a unique exhibition, allowing them to experience Govorukhin's world. A recreated director's office, complete with letters, cartoons, and notes from his personal archive, sat alongside an exhibition of archival photographs, reproductions of his paintings, posters, and costumes from his films. The evening's audience was also shown documentary footage, interview excerpts, and, of course, stills from legendary films, accompanied by the sounds of famous melodies and songs that have become an integral part of Russian cinema.
Words of gratitude and admiration were expressed from the stage for a man whose life was inextricably linked to service to the Motherland. In a video address, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted Govorukhin's unique combination of directorial talent and personal devotion to the country: "Besides his talent as a director and a creative artist, Stanislav Sergeyevich is a true patriot of our country. He was an absolutely selfless man. And devoted to Russia."
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin, addressing the audience, emphasized that for the master, audience recognition was always his highest honor, and Russia his most important value. "For him, the most important thing was to serve Russia, to be appreciated by Russian audiences. And this is what distinguished him from many gifted and talented artists," Volodin said. The discussion of perpetuating the master's memory and respecting his legacy will continue during the "Govorukhin Readings," which will take place on April 16 at VGIK. In this regard, the President's decision to establish an organizing committee to perpetuate the memory of Stanislav Govorukhin, designed to preserve and pass on his creative legacy to future generations, is particularly significant.
Opening the evening, Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova noted the high interest in the event: long before the event, the ministry had received numerous requests for tickets. She stated that the anniversary year will be filled with retrospectives and exhibitions across the country. "A huge thank you to VGIK for bringing together students, future professional film scholars, to listen to them and, through their eyes, to see the films of Stanislav Sergeyevich, on whom we were all raised in one way or another," Olga Lyubimova emphasized.
A highlight of the evening was the speech by Karen Shakhnazarov, General Director of the Mosfilm Film Concern and film director. He emphasized that the debate about whether Govorukhin was primarily an artist or a politician is pointless, as he excelled in both roles at the highest level.
"Some say he wasn't a politician, but an artist. No, he was both an outstanding artist and an outstanding politician. He was very successful," Shakhnazarov emphasized. "He came to the State Duma, and, in my opinion, to this day, there has never been a better head of the Culture Committee. He played a huge role in saving our cinema. These are not empty words: it was his efforts, his will, that helped preserve what we have today. He was passionate about this, and he helped a huge number of people."
Karen Georgievich also shared personal memories, painting a portrait of a man of astonishing generosity: "He was a lively, cheerful person, completely devoid of arrogance. He loved conversation—sitting and talking. He could recite pages of Chekhov, Gogol, Blok, and Pushkin by heart. He could do everything and knew everything. Being in his company was an incredible pleasure."
The evening took place in a warm, almost homely atmosphere. The banquet format, with a festive table set up on stage and the concert participants seated around it, encouraged heartfelt conversations. People's Artist of the RSFSR Larisa Luzhina, People's Artist of Russia Fyodor Dobronravov, Honored Artists of Russia Larisa Guzeeva, Tamara Akulova, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Yulia Peresild, Ekaterina Guseva, and director Fyodor Bondarchuk shared memories of their friendship and collaboration.
The evening's musical highlights included performances of iconic compositions from Govorukhin's films. People's Artist of the Russian Federation Alexander Rosenbaum, actress Aglaya Shilovskaya, Honored Artist of Russia Gosha Kutsenko, and other performers performed for the audience.
Concluding the evening, the organizers recalled the words of Vyacheslav Volodin, which became the leitmotif of the entire meeting: "A person lives as long as we remember him." The memory of Stanislav Govorukhin—a director, citizen, and hero—will truly live on as long as his films continue to be seen and his deeds serve as an example for future generations.
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