Grisha Ostrovski(1918-2007)

Grisha Ostrovski (Grisha Iser Ostrovski) was a Bulgarian theatre and film director, as well as an actor. Born in 1918 in Paris, Ostrovski came to play a crucial role on the theatre stages and sets of the late-starting movie industry of Bulgaria. He graduated National Academy of Theatre and Film Art, Sofia in science of dramatic art. Before the World War II, he was an actor in Realistic Theatre. After the World War II, he became a director. His debut as a director was in National Theatre, Sofia (1949). He continued to direct in the Army Theatre (1951 - 1957), then - in Satiric Theatre, in Varna Theatre, in Theatre of Youth. He specialized in Moscow Theatre School "Shchukin" (1969 /1970). Ostrovski was a professor in National Academy of Theatre and Film Art, Sofia. In France in 1990, he received the Award "The Honor Jacques" for his pedagogic work. He directed seven films between 1967 and 1979. He will be remembered for the respectability and depth of movies such as "Detour", "Nona", "Like branded atoms", "Walking with an angel". In the theatre he staged "Don Carlos", "When Roses Dance"', "The End of the Game". Ostrovski was conferred the annual theatre award Icarus in 2002. His 1967 film "Detour" was entered into the 5th Moscow International Film Festival where it won the Special Golden Prize and the Prix FIPRESCI.