Evgeny Tashkov: biography, creativity, career, personal life

Childhood and youth

Evgeny Tashkov was born in the Volgograd village of Bykovo; his career and biography began in 1926. The boy’s parents got married during the terrible times of the Holodomor, so the family respected socially useful work.

By an incomprehensible coincidence, the future director’s documents contained incorrect information, and this saved his life. When his peers were sent to the warring Soviet army, he managed to stay home and build Soviet socialism.

When Zhenya was little, his father was accused of treason, and hard days came for the family of the repressed man. Fortunately, sympathetic villagers did not abandon the mother and son and allowed them to continue to exist in the society of ordinary people.

Evgeny Tashkov in his youth (still from the film “Ship Commander”)

Tashkov studied at a comprehensive school, worked on the collective farm on weekends, setting an example for his classmates by exceeding the planned standards. He carried water for irrigation, sorted out seeds for planting, and helped the adult loaders on the nearest railway platform.

A Russian actress, who somehow ended up in the Volgograd region, with the support of the chairman of the village council, created a children's drama club. Evgeniy began attending classes and over time became addicted to the theater; he perceived each rehearsal as an additional school lesson.

Tashkov’s debut took place in the play “The Bear” by Anton Chekhov; he coped with the task brilliantly, demonstrating his natural talent. As a gift for his performance, the actor received an album with an inscription, which he placed in a place of honor.

After a successful performance, the boy began to dream of a glorious future, but for practical reasons he entered a railway university. He soon realized that his chosen profession would not bring satisfaction, and began to think about how to join the world of performing arts.

In the 40s, a native of Bykovo joined the ranks of VGIK students and settled in the center of the capital in a family of unfamiliar people. At the acting department of the institute, he met film stars and in their person found patrons and competent teachers.

At the course of Boris Vladimirovich Bibikov and Olga Ivanovna Pyzhova, Evgeniy received the necessary knowledge for subsequent work in cinema. The mentors, who were spouses, watched the progress of the mentee and were sure that his well-being after graduation was a foregone conclusion.

Getting started in cinema

Tashkov’s film debut as an actor took place in 1954, he played the cameo role of a sailor in the dramatic film “The Commander of the Ship.” Two years later, Evgeny already got one of the main roles - Repyev in the historical adventure film "Captain of the Old Turtle."

E. Tashkov in the film “Captain of the Old Turtle”

Since 1957, Tashkov began working at the Odessa Film Studio as a director. He made his debut in this field by making a film about the working underground of Odessa revolutionaries, “Pages of the Past.” Two years later he directed the war drama Thirst.

Personal life

The personal life of the Soviet director was no secret to fans: many knew that the filmmaker was legally married twice. However, in his youth, while studying at the State Institute of Cinematography, friends believed that Evgeniy was a convinced hermit and bachelor.

In the early 1960s, Tashkov met Ekaterina Savinova, an actress who participated in the filming of famous feature films. The girl, who became a laureate of the Cannes International Film Festival, in those years did not know where to escape from the advances of men.

Andrey Tashkov with his parents.
Dad - Evgeny Ivanovich Tashkov, film director, screenwriter, actor, People's Artist of the Russian Federation. Filmed... Published by Anna Rudenko Monday, July 29, 2021

Evgeny Tashkov, first wife Ekaterina Savinova and son Andrei Tashkov
Evgeny was able to charm his chosen one with a soft, intelligent approach, and after a short period of friendship she became the director’s first wife. With the advent of their son Andrei, who continued the creative work of his parents, Tashkov and Savinova seemed like a full-fledged happy family.

Unfortunately, Catherine developed health problems, and after an attack of schizophrenia, the woman tragically died. The author of a dozen Soviet films suffered greatly from the loss, but was able to cope with his emotions and improve his personal life.

Having recovered from the shock, Tashkov met the aspiring actress Tatyana Vasilyeva. The girl was younger than the director, but this did not become an obstacle to love. The child, who was named Alexei, was born shortly after the quiet wedding. He became a psychologist and, to his father’s disappointment, broke the traditions of the star family.

Movies

In the mid-1950s, Tashkov, who had recently received a diploma from the acting department, starred in a film by Vladimir Brown called “The Commander of the Ship.” He played an ordinary sailor of the military destroyer "Derzhavny", a subordinate of Andrei Vysotin, who was at the helm.

For the second time, the VGIK graduate appeared on the big screen in the film “Captain of the Old Turtle” in 1956. In the company of colleagues Natalya Fateeva, Anatoly Ignatiev and Yuri Sarantsev, the young man completely devoted himself to difficult creative work.

Looking at the work of film authors, the actor decided to move on and tried himself as a director in the early 1960s. The comedy film “Come Tomorrow...” with the participation of his wife Ekaterina Savinova was awarded laudatory reviews and warm words.

Published by Vitaly Talyzin Friday, August 23, 2019

Evgeny Tashkov and wife Tatyana Tashkova with son Alexey

“Major Whirlwind,” shown to viewers in mid-1967, strengthened Yevgeny Ivanovich’s position in Soviet creative circles. The film adaptation of the work of writer Yulian Semenov won the interest of citizens and found a response in people's hearts.

Then, relying on the traditions laid down by cinematographer Ivan Pyryev, Tashkov took up a film about the events of the Civil War. The multi-part epic “His Excellency’s Adjutant” has become one of the cult projects in the country’s gold fund.

Subsequently, the director’s filmography was replenished with such works as “Vanyushin’s Children”, “French Lessons”, “Teenager”, “Clan” and “Tricksters”. First, state leaders saw the high-profile premieres, and after that interested spectators came to the cinemas.

In the first decade of the 21st century, Tashkov slowed down his creative momentum, and some began to forget about his previous creations. In his latest work, entitled “Three Women of Dostoevsky,” the director tried to return to the viewer and make up for lost time.

Excerpt characterizing Tashkov, Evgeniy Ivanovich

“By God, madam, nothing is long,” said Mavrusha, crawling on the floor behind the young lady. “Well, it’s long, so we’ll sweep it up, we’ll sweep it up in a minute,” said the determined Dunyasha, taking out a needle from the handkerchief on her chest and getting back to work on the floor. At this time, the countess entered shyly, with quiet steps, in her current and velvet dress. - Ooh! my beauty! - the count shouted, - better than all of you!... - He wanted to hug her, but she pulled away, blushing, so as not to crumple. “Mom, more on the side of the current,” Natasha said. “I’ll cut it,” and she rushed forward, and the girls who were hemming, did not have time to rush after her, tore off a piece of smoke. - My God! What is this? I don’t blame God... “I’m sweeping it all away, it won’t be visible,” Dunyasha said. - Beauty, it’s mine! - said the nanny who came in from behind the door. - And Sonyushka, what a beauty!... At a quarter past ten we finally got into the carriages and drove off. But we still had to stop by the Tauride Garden. Peronskaya was already ready. Despite her old age and ugliness, she did exactly the same thing as the Rostovs, although not with such haste (this was a common thing for her), but her old, ugly body was also perfumed, washed, powdered, and the ears were also carefully washed , and even, and just like the Rostovs, the old maid enthusiastically admired her mistress’s outfit when she came out into the living room in a yellow dress with a code. Peronskaya praised the Rostovs' toilets. The Rostovs praised her taste and dress, and, taking care of her hair and dresses, at eleven o'clock they settled into their carriages and drove off. Since the morning of that day, Natasha had not had a minute of freedom, and not once had time to think about what lay ahead of her. In the damp, cold air, in the cramped and incomplete darkness of the swaying carriage, for the first time she vividly imagined what awaited her there, at the ball, in the illuminated halls - music, flowers, dancing, the sovereign, all the brilliant youth of St. Petersburg. What awaited her was so beautiful that she did not even believe that it would happen: it was so incongruous with the impression of cold, cramped space and darkness of the carriage. She understood everything that awaited her only when, having walked along the red cloth of the entrance, she entered the entryway, took off her fur coat and walked next to Sonya in front of her mother between the flowers along the illuminated stairs. Only then did she remember how she had to behave at the ball and tried to adopt the majestic manner that she considered necessary for a girl at the ball. But fortunately for her, she felt that her eyes were running wild: she saw nothing clearly, her pulse beat a hundred times a minute, and the blood began to pound at her heart. She could not accept the manner that would make her funny, and she walked, frozen with excitement and trying with all her might to hide it. And this was the very manner that suited her most of all. In front and behind them, talking just as quietly and also in ball gowns, guests entered. The mirrors along the stairs reflected ladies in white, blue, pink dresses, with diamonds and pearls on their open arms and necks. Natasha looked in the mirrors and in the reflection could not distinguish herself from others. Everything was mixed into one brilliant procession. Upon entering the first hall, the uniform roar of voices, footsteps, and greetings deafened Natasha; the light and shine blinded her even more. The owner and hostess, who had already been standing at the front door for half an hour and said the same words to those entering: “charme de vous voir,” [in admiration that I see you], also greeted the Rostovs and Peronskaya. Two girls in white dresses, with identical roses in their black hair, sat down in the same way, but the hostess involuntarily fixed her gaze longer on thin Natasha. She looked at her and smiled especially at her, in addition to her masterful smile. Looking at her, the hostess remembered, perhaps, her golden, irrevocable girlhood time, and her first ball. The owner also followed Natasha with his eyes and asked the count who was his daughter? - Charmante! [Charming!] - he said, kissing the tips of his fingers. Guests stood in the hall, crowding at the front door, waiting for the sovereign. The Countess placed herself in the front row of this crowd. Natasha heard and felt that several voices asked about her and looked at her. She realized that those who paid attention to her liked her, and this observation calmed her somewhat. “There are people just like us, and there are people worse than us,” she thought. Peronskaya named the countess the most significant people who were at the ball. “This is the Dutch envoy, you see, gray-haired,” said Peronskaya, pointing to an old man with silver gray curly, abundant hair, surrounded by ladies, whom he made laugh for some reason. “And here she is, the queen of St. Petersburg, Countess Bezukhaya,” she said, pointing to Helen as she entered. - How good! Will not yield to Marya Antonovna; Look how both young and old flock to her. She is both good and smart... They say the prince... is crazy about her. But these two, although not good, are even more surrounded. She pointed to a lady passing through the hall with a very ugly daughter. “This is a millionaire bride,” said Peronskaya. - And here are the grooms. “This is Bezukhova’s brother, Anatol Kuragin,” she said, pointing to the handsome cavalry guard who walked past them, looking somewhere from the height of his raised head across the ladies. - How good! is not it? They say they will marry him to this rich woman. And your sauce, Drubetskoy, is also very confusing. They say millions. “Why, it’s the French envoy himself,” she answered about Caulaincourt when the countess asked who it was. - Look like some kind of king. But still, the French are nice, very nice. No miles for society. And here she is! No, our Marya Antonovna is the best! And how simply dressed. Lovely! “And this fat one, with glasses, is a world-class pharmacist,” said Peronskaya, pointing to Bezukhov. “Put him next to your wife: he’s a fool!”

Death

In the 2000s, Evgeniy Ivanovich’s health weakened and noticeably deteriorated; he stayed at home with Tatyana Tashkova and those closest to him. The director rarely communicated with colleagues, did not give interviews to journalists, devoting all his free time to two members of his beloved family.

Judging by the latest photographs published in thematic magazines, the filmmaker suffered from diseases that consumed his elderly body. When it became known that Evgeny Ivanovich was working on a new feature film, colleagues and hundreds of caring fans took it as a surprise.

Unfortunately, after a creative upsurge, the director’s strength left him, and the cause of his death was a cerebral hemorrhage. At the funeral, a large number of fans and Russian movie stars gathered near the grave located at the Troekurovsky cemetery.