Vadim Abdrashitov’s farewell took place inside Moscow’s House of Cinematographers, where friends, colleagues, and cinema lovers gathered to pay tribute to the renowned director. The event was reported by DEA News, highlighting the solemn atmosphere as memories and film legacies were honored in a collective moment of respect.
The ceremony drew a host of notable figures from Russian cinema and culture. Among the attendees were Mikhail Shvydkoy, the special envoy for international cultural cooperation on behalf of the president, VGIK rector Vladimir Malyshev, directors Andrei Smirnov and Karen Shakhnazarov, writer Alla Gerber, and actors Leonid Yarmolnik, Sergei Makovetsky, and Valery Barinov. Actress Yulia Menshevo was also mentioned as part of the distinguished company paying homage to Abdrashitov, reflecting the deep impact he had across generations of creators and performers.
President Vladimir Putin, who could not participate in person, sent a wreath and a condolence telegram. In addition, messages of sympathy arrived from key cultural and governmental leaders, including Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, underscoring the national significance of Abdrashitov’s work and his contributions to the country’s cultural landscape.
Following the ceremony, the director was laid to rest at Troekurovsky Cemetery, with family and close colleagues gathering to share memories and prayers in a respectful farewell that acknowledged his enduring influence on Russian cinema.
Vadim Abdrashitov passed away on February 12 after a battle with cancer, at the age of 78. His career left a lasting mark on the industry, with a body of work that includes Word of Defense, Fox Hunt, Magnetic Storms, Plumbum or Dangerous Game, Dancer’s Time, The Return, The Train Has Stopped, and The Servant, among others. These films are widely regarded for their distinctive storytelling, strong character studies, and social commentary, cementing Abdrashitov’s status as a pivotal figure in Soviet and post-Soviet filmmaking.