Vladimir Motyl

Many of his other relatives suffered similar treatment. Vladimir and his mother were exiled to the Northern Urals, where he became fascinated in theatre and cinema, and later graduated from the Sverdlovsk Theatrical Institute. For about 10 years he worked in various theatres in the Urals and Siberia and eventually became chief director of Sverdlovsk Young Spectator's Theatre. He decided to start afresh in cinema, despite having no technical qualifications. Eventually he directed his first film, Children of Pamirs (1963) (Detyi Pamira/Дети Памира) in Tajikistan. This work was met with public success, as well as earning him the State Prize of Tajik SSR (1964), and the title of honorary citizen of Dushanbe (1977). His next film Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha (1967) (Женя, Женечка и "Катюша"), a romantic comedy/drama set in 1944, was warmly accepted by the public as well, but earned the displeasure of the Soviet agitprop for "disrespectful" treatment of the Second World War theme, and the director fell into disfavor. Nevertheless, he was invited to direct a film which was to become one of the most popular Soviet cult films, the "Red Western" (or technically, "Ostern") White Sun of the Desert. Notably, this film has a strong theme about exile, as its protagonist, Sukhov finds himself waylaid in Central Asia when trying to return home. For his work, Motyl received numerous awards.

Vladimir Motyl studied at Yekaterinburg State Theatre Institute and Ural State University. The recorded working language is Russian. Employment is recorded with Top Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors. Distinctions recorded are Order of Honour, People's Artist of the Russian Federation, Honored art worker of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic and State Prize of the Russian Federation.

• Name — Vladimir Motyl • Born — 26 June 1927 • Birthplace — Lepiel, Byelorussian SSR, Soviet Union • Died — 21 February 2010 (aged 82) • Place of death — Moscow, Russia • Occupation — Film director, theatre director, screenwriter • Years Active — 1963–2010 • Title — People's Artist of Russia (2003) • Notable Works — White Sun of the Desert (1970)

• 1963: Children of Pamirs (Дети Памира), film director • 1967: Zhenya, Zhenechka and Katyusha (Женя, Женечка и Катюша), playwright, film director • 1969: White Sun of the Desert (Белое солнце пустыни), film director • 1975: The Captivating Star of Happiness (Звезда пленительного счастья) (the title is a line from a verse by Pushkin), playwright, film director • 1980: Forest (Лес), playwright, film director • 1984: Unbelievable Bet (Невероятное пари), film director • 1987: My Best Respects (Честь имею), playwright • 1991: Let's Part while we're alright (Расстанемся, пока хорошие), playwright, film director • 1993: Okhlamon (Охламон), playwright, play director • 1996: Nesut menya koni (Несут меня кони), playwright, film director, music for the songs • 2009: Crimson Colour of the Snowfall (Багровый цвет снегопада), playwright, film director, music for the songs

On 5 February 2010, Vladimir Motyl was at home alone when he felt ill. On the same day he was hospitalized in the city clinical hospital No. 67. Initially, he was suspected of a stroke, but in the hospital doctors found a fracture of the cervical vertebrae and pneumonia. On 21 February 2010 at approximately 11 pm Vladimir Motyl died at the age of 83.

Vladimir Motyl is recorded as having received Order of Honour, People's Artist of the Russian Federation and Honored art worker of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.