Shaken Kenzhetaiuly Aimanov (Kazakh: Шәкен Кенжетайұлы Айманов; born Shahkarim Kenzhetaiuly Aimanov, Kazakh: Шаһкерім Кенжетайұлы Айманов;[1] 15 October 1914 – 23 December 1970) was a Kazakh Soviet actor and film director.[2] He is considered to be the father of Kazakh cinematography, as well as an iconic film director and actor.[3][4] He directed eleven films between 1954 and 1970.

Shaken Aimanov
Aimanov on a 2014 stamp of Kazakhstan
Born(1914-02-15)15 February 1914
Died23 December 1970(1970-12-23) (aged 56)
Moscow, Soviet Union
Occupation(s)Actor, film director
Years active1954–1970

Biography edit

Aimanov was born in Bayanaul, Russian Empire (now Kazakhstan) in 1914. He studied at the Kazakh Institute of Education in Semipalatinsk (now Semey) from 1931 to 1933.

He began his acting career at the Kazakh Theater of Drama in Alma-Ata in 1933. Vivid social and psychological characteristics are inherent in his art. His best roles include Akhan Seri in Akhan Seri and Aktokty by Gabit Musirepov, Isatai in Isatai and Makhambet by Akhinzhanov, Kobylandy Batyr in Kobylandy by Mukhtar Auezov, Kodar in Kozy Korpesh and Bayan Sulu by Gabit Musirepov, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, and Tikhon in The Storm by Alexander Ostrovsky. He also worked as a director and from 1947 to 1951 was chief director at the Kazakh Theater of Drama. Working in films since 1940, as both an actor and a director, Aimanov played Zhambyl in the film of the same name and directed the 1958 film Our Dear Doctor, among others. He was a deputy of the fourth and seventh convocations of the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR. In 1963 he was a member of the jury at the 3rd Moscow International Film Festival.[5] In 1952, he received the Stalin Prize for his work in the theater, and in 1968 he received the State Prize of the Kazakh SSR. He has been awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.

The Kazakhfilm, where Aimanov worked as a film director, was named after him in 1984.[6] The Shaken's Stars International Film Festival was held in 2013 to support and help young artists and filmmakers.[7]

Filmography (director) edit

  • Poema o lyubvi (1954)
  • Doch stepey (1954)
  • My zdes zhivyom (1956)
  • Nash milyy doktor (1957)
  • V odnom rayone (1960)
  • Pesnya zovet (1961)
  • Perekrestok (1962)
  • Bezborodyi obmanshchik (1964)
  • Zemlya ottsov (1966)
  • Angel v tyubeteyke (1968)
  • Konets atamana (1970)

References edit

  1. ^ "Kazakh culture and national traditions: Kazakh names". OrexCA.com. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  2. ^ Peter Rollberg (2016). Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema. US: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 33–34. ISBN 1442268425.
  3. ^ "Eurasia film festival celebrates Shaken Aimanov". Euronews. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Faces of history: Shaken Aimanov". Kazakh TV. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  5. ^ "3rd Moscow International Film Festival (1963)". Moscow International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  6. ^ "History of the Kazakhfilm" (in Russian). Kazakhfilm. Archived from the original on 16 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  7. ^ "Slumdog Millionaire to come to Shaken Stars Film Festival". TengriNews.kz. 27 May 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2014.

External links edit