Mikhail Tumelya

Mikhail Tumelya: The Master Storyteller of Belarusian Cinema.

Mikhail Tumelya, born in 1953 in Minsk, Belarus, was an active director from the late 1980s until his death in 2019. He predominantly worked in the genres of drama and comedy, creating deeply moving and often humorous portrayals of life in post-Soviet Belarus, with his most famous films including "Alpine Ballad" and "The Star of Bethlehem". While he may not have received international recognition at major film festivals, Tumelya was a beloved figure in his homeland, receiving multiple accolades for his distinctive, authentic narrative style that captured the essence of the Belarusian spirit. Mikhail Tumelya was not merely a director; he was the beating heart of Belarusian cinema, his films a testament to the resilience, humor, and warmth of his people.