Sergei Vinokurov (born 22 July, 1950) is a Russian film director, writer and producer. He is best known for his films The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath! (1975) and Office Romance (1977), both of which were widely popular in the Soviet Union and remain cult classics today.
Vinokurov was born and raised in Moscow, the son of a schoolteacher and a factory worker. He began his film career in the early 1970s, working as a production assistant on several films. In 1975, he wrote and directed his first feature film, The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!, which was an instant success in the Soviet Union. The film follows a group of friends on a New Year's Eve night out, which leads to a series of unexpected events and comic misadventures.
In 1977, Vinokurov wrote and directed Office Romance, a romantic comedy about a shy man who falls in love with his new boss. The film was another commercial success, and led to Vinokurov becoming one of the most popular directors in the Soviet Union.
Vinokurov continued to write and direct films in the 1980s and 1990s, but his output became more sporadic. His last film was released in 2003. He has since focused on producing, working on several popular Russian films.
Throughout his career, Vinokurov has been praised for his ability to create films that are both entertaining and thought-provoking. He is known for his unique visual style, which often combines comedy and drama in unexpected ways.
Vinokurov has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Lenin Prize, the State Prize of the Russian Federation, and the Russian Guild of Film Critics Award. He is also a recipient of the Order of Friendship of Peoples, the highest civilian award in the Russian Federation.
Sergei Vinokurov is considered one of the most influential directors of the Soviet era, and his films remain highly popular today. His unique vision and ability to combine drama and comedy have made him a legend in the Russian film industry.
