Born in Moscow in 1949, he studied in the screenwriting faculty at the state film school VGIK in the same city and has worked as a film and television screenwriter since 1976. He has received numerous awards and international prizes, including a Silver Bear at the Berlinale for the "idea and adaptation" of the film "Pjessa Dljs Passaschira" ("A Play For A Passenger"). His directorial debut, "Soar", screened at the 2007 Venice Film Festival.

Source: 61. Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin (Catalogue)