“If I hadn't been burned so badly, I would be nothing” – this saying lasts a lifetime. Vera Alentova was burned alive more than once, but she learned to be strong – not to harm everyone, but for her own good. Like the female protagonist in the movie “Moscow doesn't believe in tears”. Millions of women recognized themselves in Katya Tikhomirova and hoped that everything would be fine with them.
And Alentova herself never believed in tears: she was born in 1942, she did not accept all the difficulties of post-war life with the steadfastness of a child. I went to school in a dress made by my mother, and the only delicious food I knew was black bread spread with sunflower oil. Vera Valentinovna is sure: difficulties create character.
Vera Alentova, People's Artist of Russia: “It turned out that she was a very strict and quite categorical woman. This is of course true. Maybe because I was a child during the war and we were raised quite strictly, this remained in us.”
Young Vera's favorite pastime is performing in the yard – this is how she performed her first acting role. Mother, an actress of the Youth Theater, was very sad: she hoped her daughter would follow in her grandparents' footsteps and become a doctor. Alentova obediently submitted documents to the medical institute, but skipped the final exam to audition for the Altai Drama Theater. She was brought into the crowd.
Vera Alentova, People's Artist of Russia: “Mother said: “On my body.” It turns out you want to become an actress? Voila, to Moscow! Go to any university. If she's talented, they'll take her. Incompetent – nothing to do in the theater! “
Alentova entered the Moscow Art Theater School for the second time. Her classmate was Vladimir Menshov, who was accepted on the fourth try. They joke about them: he is just waiting for Vera. It is fate, or rather love. No one could have thought that they would become a family: rustic Menshov and Alentova were loved by teachers. Many people tried to dissuade him: such a husband would ruin his career. But she believes in her Volodya.
Yulia Menshova, presenter: “Actually, he sought it and achieved it. And thanks to achieving it, I was born.”
The birth of my daughter was a challenge. It was difficult and they broke up. But after 4 years, they realized: they could not live without each other. Since then they have never broken up. Menshov is Alentova's support, she is his muse.
In 1979, a masterpiece was born in a creative union. “Moscow Doesn't Believe in Tears” made the film loved by the people of its homeland and honored Russian cinema around the world. The film received an Oscar.
Although she acted a lot in films, Vera Alentova devoted most of her life to the stage. Colleagues and relatives constantly admire the actress.
Victoria Iskova, actress: “To me, she seemed very strict, very tough, very categorical, but when I got close to her, she seemed incredibly gentle and had an amazing sense of humor.”
Yulia Menshova, presenter: “I think she is not at all what she appears to the public. She is gentle, touching, sometimes weak, sometimes surprisingly stubborn, brave and knows how to surprise.”
After the death of Vladimir Menshov, Vera Valentinovna did not collapse, she continued to live, work and even celebrated her 80th birthday on the stage of her favorite theater. A new, participatory play.
Vera Alentova passed away on December 25, at the age of 83. She felt ill during the People's Artist's farewell ceremony Anatoly Lobotsky at the Mayakovsky Theater. The actress had to be urgently hospitalized but doctors could not save her.
The editors of Television Center express their condolences to the family, friends and friends of Vera Valentinovna.
