Sergei Vasilyev (director)

Sergei Dmitrievich Vasilyev (Серге́й Дми́триевич Васи́льев; 4 November 1900, Moscow – 16 December 1959, Moscow) was a Soviet and Russian film director, screenwriter and actor. From 1928 to 1943 together with Georgi Vasilyev (often jointly, though incorrectly credited as the Vasilyev brothers) he co-directed several films, including the influential and critically acclaimed Chapaev (1934). Sergei Vasilyev was granted the honorary title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1948; and received (with Georgi Vasilyev) two Stalin Prizes in 1941 and 1942.

His 1942 film The Defence of Tsaritsyn concerns the Battle of Tsaritsyn during the Russian Civil War, a battle in which Joseph Stalin played a prominent role. In 1942, Tsaritsyn, by then renamed Stalingrad, was in the midst of the decisive Battle of Stalingrad, a turning point of the Second World War.

Honours and awards

 * People's Artist of the USSR (1948)
 * Stalin Prizes;
 * first class (1941) – for the film Chapaev (1934)
 * first class (1942) – for the 1st series of the film The Defence of Tsaritsyn (1941)
 * Two Orders of Lenin (1935, 1950)
 * Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1954)
 * Order of the Red Star (1944)
 * Medal "For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945" (1945)
 * Best Director at Cannes (1955) – for the film Heroes of Shipka (the film was nominated for the Palme d'Or)