Sergei Dmitrievich Vasilyev (; 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.
Filmography Year English title Russian title Comments 1928 Heroic Deed Among the Ice Подвиг во льдах Director; documentary 1930 The Sleeping Beauty Спящая красавица Director, screenwriter 1932 A Personal Affair Личное дело Director, screenwriter 1934 Chapaev Чапаев Director, screenwriter, actor 1937 Volotchayevsk Days Волочаевские дни Director, screenwriter 1942 The Defense of Tsaritsyn Оборона Царицына Director, screenwriter 1943 The Front Фронт Director, screenwriter 1955 Heroes of Shipka Герои Шипки Director 1958 The October Days В дни Октября Director, screenwriter
Awards and honours Honoured Worker of the Arts Industry of the RSFSR (1940) 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) Two Orders of the Red Banner of Labour (1950; 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)
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