Eduard Nazarov

Directing

Eduard Nazarov

Born 1941-11-23 · Moscow, RSFSR, USSR

Eduard Vasilievich Nazarov (Russian: Эдуард Васильевич Назаров; 23 November 1941 – 11 September 2016; Moscow) was a Russian (and Soviet) animator, screenwriter, voice actor, book illustrator and educator, artistic director at the Pilot Studio (2007–2016), vice-president of ASIFA (1987–1999) and a co-president of the KROK International Animated Films Festival. Eduard Nazarov was born in a bomb shelter during the Battle of Moscow. His parents were Russian engineers who met at the end of 1930s while studying at Moscow institutes. Nazarov's ancestors came from the Bryansk Oblast and had a peasant background. He became engaged in painting since childhood and while in the 9th grade entered an art school where he got acquainted with Yuri Norstein, his close friend since. After three years in the Soviet Army Nazarov entered Stroganov Institute. Simultaneously he started working at Soyuzmultfilm in 1959 as an apprentice, self-educating, since he was too late for the animation courses. He worked as an artist-renderer, an art director's assistant under Mikhail Tsekhanovsky and as an art director under Fyodor Khitruk, most famously creating Winnie-the-Pooh for the Soviet adaptation of the fairy tale. Since 1973 he had been directing his own short films, often combining duties of an art director, screenwriter and voice actor. "Once Upon a Time there Lived a Dog" (1982) is generally considered his most prominent work; it was awarded the First Prize at the 1983 Odense International Film Festival and a Special Jury Award at the 1983 Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Between 1979 and 2000 Nazarov had been working at the High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors as an educator. He also illustrated various books and magazines. His last film "Martynko" (1987) was made during perestroika and banned for four years because Nazarov refused to change the name of the cartoon princess Raisa. During the 1990s he directed commercials and hosted a number of television shows dedicated to Russian and world animation. In 1991 he became a co-president of the KROK International Animated Films Festival, along with David Cherkassky. In 1993 he co-founded the SHAR animation school-studio along with Andrei Khrzhanovsky, Yuri Norstein and Fyodor Khitruk where he worked until his death. In 2004 Nazarov joined the Pilot Studio in their "Mountain of Gems" project, a grand government-backed TV series that combined efforts of many animators; between 2004 and 2015 they produced around seventy 13-minute shorts based on various traditional fairy tales of different Russian and former Soviet regions. In addition to art direction, Nazarov also co-wrote screenplays and did voice-overs to some of them. After the sudden death of Alexander Tatarsky in 2007 he turned into an artistic director of the studio. Nazarov suffered from diabetes for many years and had to undergone a surgery late in his life, losing one of the legs. He continued teaching students through Skype. Eduard Nazarov died on 11 September 2016 and was buried at the Vagankovo Cemetery in Moscow.

Acting credits

Magia Russica poster
9.5

A poetic view of Russian animation and of cultural and social transformations Russian society has been gone through. It is about multi faceted and humorous animation, almost never exposed to western eyes.

Magia Russica

2004

The Return of the Prodigal Parrot (Part 1) poster
7.5

Animated series about the adventures of a parrot Kesha, "the hero of our time." The action is concentrated in the city and its surroundings. Kesh lives in the apartment of Vova, a schoolchild, but because of his hot-tempered, arrogant character, he periodically runs away and gets into trouble, eventually returning to Vovka with a confession. The humor of the series is based on the eccentric behavior of Keshi, on recognizable realities, as well as on the multiple quotations used by the parrot.

The Return of the Prodigal Parrot (Part 1)

1984

How the Cossacks Helped Musketeers poster
7.3

Cossacks help the French musketeers to deliver the portrait of daughter of the Turkish sultan to the Dutch prince, that could marry her. Insidious cardinal Richelieu wants to blow off the plans of queen and equips pursuit.

How the Cossacks Helped Musketeers

1979

Masha and the Bear - To the Cinema poster
8.2

Masha is an energetic three-year-old who lives in an old train station in the forest. Precocious, silly, and friendly with everyone she meets, this energetic girl can’t seem to keep herself out of trouble. Bear is a warm, fatherly figure that does his best to guide his friend and keep her from harm, often ending up the unintended victim of her misadventures. Though he enjoys his quiet time alone, he misses those moments when Masha is not around. Together with a rag-tag group of friendly animals that have made the forest their home, Masha and the Bear entertains adults and children alike, teaching viewers about creativity, loyalty and true friendship.

Masha and the Bear - To the Cinema

2017

Masha and the Bear: Twice the Fun poster
1.0

Masha leaves the forest in pursuit of an adventure in the city, where she encounters many unexpected situations and surprises while attending a wedding, and later seeks to do everything in her power to save Christmas.

Masha and the Bear: Twice the Fun

2023

Columbus Docks To The Shore poster
NR

Self-confident and eccentric Columbus lands on the American shore in the 20th century.

Columbus Docks To The Shore

1967

Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Dog poster
8.0

Based on the Ukrainian folktale, the old dog of a village family is not as keen as he once was, and is sent away after he fails to guard their house during a robbery. In the woods, he meets the wolf he protected his masters against long ago, who decides to pay a favor to get his old enemy's rightful place back in the doghouse.

Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Dog

1982

Bugs poster
7.3

How do insects and bugs live? Both good and bad. They even tried to fly away from people into space, so people got them.

Bugs

2002

Adventures of Captain Vrungel poster
7.6

An old sea captain and his student decide to take part in the international regatta. At the same time an amateur thief steals a statue of Aphrodite from Louvre and boards their yacht by mistake. A long, fun adventure is ahead.

Adventures of Captain Vrungel

1980

Island poster
6.2

A castaway is interrogated by Interpol, conquered by an imperialist ship, loses his lone palm tree to greedy loggers, is consoled by a missionary who promptly abandons him, is thoroughly examined by scientists, and harassed by journalists.

Island

1973

Adventure of an Ant poster
7.1

A 1983 short film directed by Eduard Nazarov about an ant who gets blown away with the wind from its home and the adventures it goes through in desperately trying to find its way back.

Adventure of an Ant

1983

No artwork available
NR

An animated film in two parts, about the tragic fate of Estonian artist Ülo Sooster and about his work.

School of Fine Arts

1990

A Robbery In... Style poster
7.2

A cartoon composed of four parts, parodying "classical" gangster and criminal movies of four countries: robbery American style, French style, Italian style and Russian style. All cartoon characters resemble real movie stars of 50th and 60th.

A Robbery In... Style

1978

About a Ram and a Goat poster
NR

The goat and the ram ran away from the owner in search of a better life.

About a Ram and a Goat

2004

No artwork available
10.0

Night comes. For a boy in a dark room, this is a time of fear.

The Night Has Come

1998

No artwork available
NR

The second part of the duology on the famous Estonian artist Ülo Sooster continues his life story, paying homage to many other great artists who were spiritually consonant with his work.

School of Fine Arts. Return

1990

About Ivan-the-Fool poster
10.0

A fairy tale from the cycle "Mountain of gems" about how Ivan sold a goat and guarded the door, but suddenly married a princess.

About Ivan-the-Fool

2004

Only for Adults poster
7.0

Satirical miniatures for adults.

Only for Adults

1971

School of Fine Arts. Juniper Landscape poster
6.0

Blending drawings, paintings, filmed interviews, and recorded testimony, this animation-documentary hybrid tells of the tragic fate of the Estonian artist Ülo Sooster.

School of Fine Arts. Juniper Landscape

1987

About Sidorov Vova poster
6.8

A screen adaptation of the satirical poem by Eduard Uspensky. Vova Sidorov is the only child in a big family, growing up without a father. Everything he cherished, but a summons from the recruitment office turns everything on its head!

About Sidorov Vova

1985

Cat Which Could Sing poster
NR

The Cat tries in vain to get the attention of the beloved Lady-Cat by singing, but she does not pay attention, as she is too busy watching various TV shows. The Cat decides to get on TV and perform with his song there, but he constantly gets claims - "we do not take tails", "why on earth do you have a striped face", and the last remark about "fur mittens" the Cat is angry and shows claws . After that, he is categorically forbidden for the show, to which the Cat responds with the threat of "spoiling all your television."

Cat Which Could Sing

1988

Passion of Spies poster
6.0

A parody of the spy movies of the '50s and '60s

Passion of Spies

1967

The Delusion of Rodamus Querk poster
NR

The blacksmith's apprentice makes a contract with the devil and exchanges his soul for respect from the most famous people of the city. However, he realises soon that true respect can only be won by hard work. Based on short story by Arkadiy Bukhov.

The Delusion of Rodamus Querk

1983

About St. Basil the Blessed poster
NR

A story about the life of St. Basil the Blessed.

About St. Basil the Blessed

2008

Behind the camera

Masters of Russian Animation - Volume 3 poster
NR

Volume 3 (1979-1985): "Tale of Tales", "Hunt", "Cabaret", "Last Hunt", "There Was a Dog", "Travels of an Ant", "Lion and Bull", "Wolf and Calf", "Old Stair", "King's Sandwich", "About Sidorov Vova".

Masters of Russian Animation - Volume 3

2000

The Hunt poster
6.6

Short Russian animated film. The boy comes to the hunting shop considers trophies and imagines that he is in the African savannah.

The Hunt

1979

The Hunt poster
6.6

Short Russian animated film. The boy comes to the hunting shop considers trophies and imagines that he is in the African savannah.

The Hunt

1979

Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Dog poster
8.0

Based on the Ukrainian folktale, the old dog of a village family is not as keen as he once was, and is sent away after he fails to guard their house during a robbery. In the woods, he meets the wolf he protected his masters against long ago, who decides to pay a favor to get his old enemy's rightful place back in the doghouse.

Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Dog

1982

Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Dog poster
8.0

Based on the Ukrainian folktale, the old dog of a village family is not as keen as he once was, and is sent away after he fails to guard their house during a robbery. In the woods, he meets the wolf he protected his masters against long ago, who decides to pay a favor to get his old enemy's rightful place back in the doghouse.

Once Upon a Time, There Lived a Dog

1982

Little Hippo poster
7.2

Lone Little Hippo in search of a friend meets ants, bees, rabbits, chickens, until it finds another Hippo.

Little Hippo

1975

Little Hippo poster
7.2

Lone Little Hippo in search of a friend meets ants, bees, rabbits, chickens, until it finds another Hippo.

Little Hippo

1975

Adventure of an Ant poster
7.1

A 1983 short film directed by Eduard Nazarov about an ant who gets blown away with the wind from its home and the adventures it goes through in desperately trying to find its way back.

Adventure of an Ant

1983

Adventure of an Ant poster
7.1

A 1983 short film directed by Eduard Nazarov about an ant who gets blown away with the wind from its home and the adventures it goes through in desperately trying to find its way back.

Adventure of an Ant

1983

About Sidorov Vova poster
6.8

A screen adaptation of the satirical poem by Eduard Uspensky. Vova Sidorov is the only child in a big family, growing up without a father. Everything he cherished, but a summons from the recruitment office turns everything on its head!

About Sidorov Vova

1985

About Sidorov Vova poster
6.8

A screen adaptation of the satirical poem by Eduard Uspensky. Vova Sidorov is the only child in a big family, growing up without a father. Everything he cherished, but a summons from the recruitment office turns everything on its head!

About Sidorov Vova

1985

Kolobok poster
8.9

A musical film based on the Russian folk tale of the same name. The story is about an arrogant but agile bread kid who managed to get around everyone except the treacherous Fox.

Kolobok

2012

Kolobok poster
8.9

A musical film based on the Russian folk tale of the same name. The story is about an arrogant but agile bread kid who managed to get around everyone except the treacherous Fox.

Kolobok

2012

The Big Leap poster
NR

About three graceful tightrope walkers and one amusing simpleton.

The Big Leap

1998

Masters of Russian Animation - Volume 4 poster
NR

Volume 4 (1986-1991): "Door", "Boy Is a Boy", "Liberated Don Quixote", "Martinko", "Big Underground Ball", "Cat and Clown", "Dream", "Kele", "Alter Ego", "Girlfriend", "Croak x Croak", "Cat and Company".

Masters of Russian Animation - Volume 4

2000

About St. Basil the Blessed poster
NR

A story about the life of St. Basil the Blessed.

About St. Basil the Blessed

2008

Martinko poster
7.0

Martynko, while in the guardhouse, found a deck of magic cards with which he could easily beat anyone! He made a quick career to the customs minister, robbing all foreigners to the skin right at the border crossing. However, the princess's unrequited feelings led to the end of his career, and he was abandoned in the forest. After eating wonderful apples, he develops a plan of revenge.

Martinko

1987

Martinko poster
7.0

Martynko, while in the guardhouse, found a deck of magic cards with which he could easily beat anyone! He made a quick career to the customs minister, robbing all foreigners to the skin right at the border crossing. However, the princess's unrequited feelings led to the end of his career, and he was abandoned in the forest. After eating wonderful apples, he develops a plan of revenge.

Martinko

1987

Gagarin poster
6.6

A young caterpillar yearns to fly like the butterflies and birds, but cannot launch himself high enough to do so ... until a couple start playing badminton nearby.

Gagarin

1994

Goat Hut poster
NR

In a strange house in the forest, three cheerful and hard-working goats accidentally got a harmful boy Cornflower.

Goat Hut

2009

Imagine That poster
NR

A boy named Alik does not want to read the Torah. He asks his grandfather why this is necessary, and in response, his grandfather tells him a story...

Imagine That

2013

Princess and Cannibal poster
6.8

The weather was beautiful. Princess was awful. At two o'clock in the afternoon princess get lost in the woods. Or maybe it was the other way around?

Princess and Cannibal

1977

Princess and Cannibal poster
6.8

The weather was beautiful. Princess was awful. At two o'clock in the afternoon princess get lost in the woods. Or maybe it was the other way around?

Princess and Cannibal

1977

No artwork available
9.0

Some animals rise, overcoming difficulties, to the heights. And other animals do not conquer any peaks, but, remaining in place, they also enjoy themselves.

Attraction

1995