The first work of Boris Petrovich Chirkov on stage was the place of the usual prompter. Later, he began to receive episodic roles in productions of the amateur theater. No one in that distant time could have imagined that a childhood passion for art would eventually develop for Chirkov into the work of his whole life.
From the biography of Boris Chirkov
The famous theater and film actor was born on August 13, 1901 in Nolinsk, in the Vyatka province. From a young age, Boris was fascinated by art. Even as a child, he secretly ran from his parents to watch the first films, still dumb then. Relatives did not approve of the boy's hobbies. He was a cousin of Vyacheslav Molotov. And the family wanted the kid to follow in the footsteps of his eminent relative, to engage in politics.
At the age of seven, Boris went to study at a comprehensive school. At senior school age, the young man was carried away by amateur art. From an early age, he sang beautifully and famously controlled with an accordion.
When Boris Petrovich turned 20 years old, he moved to Petrograd. He was to continue his education. Together with a friend, Boris passes entrance exams to the Polytechnic Institute. But even then, Chirkov realized that he did not want to connect his fate with the technical sciences. He enters the theater university.
As a result, in 1926, the future actor received a diploma from the Leningrad Institute of Performing Arts. And almost immediately he began to work in the Leningrad Youth Theater. One of the first successful roles of Boris was the role of the well-known Sancho Panza, a faithful squire Don Quixote. Success exceeded Chirkov’s expectations: after this production he was invited to the main roles. A little later, Chirkov was offered to try his hand at cinema.
Career Boris Chirkov in cinema
The first film with the participation of Boris Chirkov was "Sibling", released in 1928. Seeing himself on the screen, the young actor was disappointed. The role was small, and a silent film could not convey the characteristic features of his character. The image seemed inappropriate and unnatural. Chirkov did not like the first work so much that he left the room without watching the film until the end.
Boris Petrovich pondered the situation for a long time. He realized that it was impossible to play the same way on the stage of the theater and in front of the camera. He is intensely seeking for himself a suitable image and style of play. And she’s not going to quit work in the cinema he loves.
In 1931, Chirkov was invited to a very minor role. The film was called "One." The work of the actor really liked the director Trauberg. A little later, Boris received another invitation from him: this time he was to play in the film "Journey to the USSR". The role was noticeable, but still far from central. Alas, this film was never shot.
Subsequently, Trauberg began work on the sound film "Maxim's Youth." Chirkov was immediately offered the role of Dema. But after the very first rehearsal, it became clear: Boris Petrovich will do an excellent job with the main role. The film, where Chirkov with amazing skill played Maxim, was a tremendous success. A few years later came the second part of the picture - "The Return of Maxim." And a year later, the audience enthusiastically accepted the third episode of the epic, called the "Vyborg Side".
In subsequent years, Chirkova was waiting for success after the release of the film "True Friends". All these years, Boris Petrovich continued to work on the stage of the theater. One of the most striking productions with his participation was Boris Godunov.
In 1955, Chirkov worked as a teacher at VGIK. For several years he taught young talented children and girls acting and stage wisdom.
The last work in the cinema for Chirkov was the film play "Mashenka". After this picture, he retired: his state of health did not allow him to act in full force. And he did not know how to play differently and did not want to.
