Aleksandr Ptushko

A master of Russian fantasy and stop-motion animation, Aleksandr Ptushko was born in 1900 in Lugansk, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He was active in the film industry from the late 1920s to the early 1970s, during which he directed a wide range of films, notably in the genres of fantasy and historical drama, with his most famous works including "The Stone Flower" and "Ilya Muromets" - the latter earning him the Best Director award at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival. Ptushko is celebrated for his pioneering use of stop-motion animation and for bringing elements of Russian folklore and fairy tales into mainstream cinema. From the heart, Ptushko was a true visionary, whose unique storytelling and innovative techniques continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.