Screenwriter Zhurenkov noted the incredible passion for life of director Mitta

Director Alexander Mitta was outwardly closed, but inwardly a passionate man. Screenwriter Kirill Zhurenkov told Izvestia about this on July 14.

He explained that he took courses with a cinematographer, "and it was fun."

"Mitta gave the theory of drama strictly, like an architect telling about the structure of a building. I was inwardly surprised: This is creativity! Is it possible to sort everything out? I understand now: Mitta did it," Zhurenkov said.

He added that the director was able to get carried away with something, outwardly remaining impassive.

"His energy of passion could move mountains. At some point, he became interested in the theory of drama and so he took one of the most popular screenwriting courses in Russia," the source said.

Zhurenkov said that he had visited Mitta at home and received vivid impressions from communication. One day, he asked the director to leave an autograph and share his opinion about the meaning of life.

"Mitta grimaced at first. Like, what's the big deal? And then I thought about it and suddenly he drew me a whole sketch, he drew it very well: a young man is sitting impressively on a chair, a girl is perched on his lap, and his hand is holding a glass of wine. There was a wonderful inner hooliganism and youthfulness in this unexpected sketch. And also an incredible passion for life, which he was able to inspire," concluded the screenwriter.

The Trailblazer: director Alexander Mitta has died

A graduate of the architectural institute, he discovered new genres for Soviet cinema

Earlier that day, People's Artist of Russia and film director Alexander Mitta passed away at the age of 93. He shot such famous films as "My friend, Kolka!", "The Tale of how Tsar Peter married a Black man", "The Crew", "Burn, Burn, my Star", the TV series "Border. Taiga novel" and many others.