Mikhail Ilych Romm, a renowned Soviet film director, was born on January 24, 1901, in Irkutsk, Russia. His father, a social democrat of Jewish descent, had been exiled to Irkutsk, and Romm's early life was marked by his father's influence.
Romm graduated from gymnasium in 1917 and went on to study at the Moscow College for Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. However, his academic pursuits were cut short when he enlisted in the Red Army in 1918. He served for three years, rising through the ranks to become an inspector of a Special Commission.
During his time in the Red Army, Romm had the opportunity to travel extensively and witness the diverse life of different regions in the country. This experience would later shape his perspective as a filmmaker and leave a lasting impression on him.
After leaving the military, Romm returned to Moscow and pursued a career in the arts. He graduated from the Highest Artistic-Technical Institute in 1925 as a sculptor and worked as a sculptor and translator. In the late 1920s, he conducted research on the theory of cinema and later worked at the Mosfilm studio, where he became an artistic leader and director.
Throughout his career, Romm was a prolific writer and lecturer, publishing numerous books and articles on the theory of cinematographic art. He was also a dedicated educator, teaching at the VGIK and influencing many prominent film directors, including Andrei Tarkovsky, Grigori Chukhrai, and Nikita Mikhalkov.
Romm's contributions to the world of cinema were recognized with numerous awards, including five Stalin Prizes. He was also an honorary corresponding member of the Academy of the skills of DDR. Romm's legacy as a filmmaker and educator continues to be celebrated to this day.
