# Dunya Smirnova
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{{Short description|Russian screenwriter (born 1969)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Dunya Smirnova
| image = Avdotya Smirnova (cropped).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Smirnova in 2018
| birth_name =Avdotya Andreevna Smirnova
| birth_date ={{birth date and age |1969|6|29|df=y}}
| birth_place = [Moscow](/source/Moscow), Soviet Union
| death_date =
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = screenwriter, film director, TV presenter
| years_active = 1992–present
| known_for =
| notable_works =
}}
'''Avdotya (Dunya) Smirnova''' ({{langx|ru|Авдотья (Дуня) Смирнова}}; born 29 June 1969) is a Russian screenwriter, film director, producer, TV host and literary critic, winner of numerous awards and accolades, founder of the charity foundation {{ill|Vikhod|ru|Выход (благотворительный фонд)}}.
== Biography ==
=== Early years and family ===
Avdotya Smirnova was born to actors [Natalya Rudnaya](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A0%D1%83%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F%2C_%D0%9D%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%8F_%D0%92%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%BD%D0%B0) and [Andrei Smirnov](/source/Andrei_Smirnov_(actor)). Her grandfather [Sergey Smirnov](/source/Sergey_Smirnov_(writer)) was a Soviet writer and historian.
Smirnova has been interested in cinema since childhood. When her father forbade her to enter [Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography](/source/Gerasimov_Institute_of_Cinematography), she went to [MSU](/source/Moscow_State_University) Philology Department. After three years she transferred to [GITIS](/source/Russian_Institute_of_Theatre_Arts), but didn’t finish her studies.[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = http://old.kinoart.ru/archive/2000/10/n10-article4
|title =Андрей и Дуня Смирновы: Отцы и дети. Дочки‒матери
|publisher = Iskusstvo Kino
|date = 2000-10-10
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 1987 and 1988, Smirnova worked at [Mosfilm](/source/Mosfilm) with [Sergei Solovyov](/source/Sergei_Solovyov_(film_director)), in the meantime performing in punk-rock band [Tupie](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A2%D1%83%D0%BF%D1%8B%D0%B5) and contributing to [Urlait](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A3%D1%80%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%82) [samizdat](/source/samizdat) magazine.[{{cite web
|author=Smirnova, K.
|language = ru
|url = https://snob.ru/selected/entry/76505/
|title =Я точно не демшиза
|publisher = Snob
|date = 2014-05-29
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}] At age 20, Smirnova married [Arkady Ippolitov](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%98%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%2C_%D0%90%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87) and moved to [Leningrad](/source/Leningrad) with him. In 1995, she was invited to [Kommersant](/source/Kommersant) and emerged as a journalist, she contributed to [Afisha](/source/Afisha), Vogue, [Seans](/source/Seans), and other magazines. For some time in the early 2000s she worked as a speechwriter for [Union of Right Forces](/source/Union_of_Right_Forces) and [Anatoly Chubais](/source/Anatoly_Chubais).[
=== TV career ===
In 2002 to 2014, Smirnova co-hosted ''[The School for Scandal](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0_%D0%B7%D0%BB%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%8F_(%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B0%D1%87%D0%B0))'' with her long-time friend, Russian writer [Tatyana Tolstaya](/source/Tatyana_Tolstaya). The program received [TEFI](/source/TEFI) award in 2003 in Best Talk Show nomination.][
=== Screenwriter ===
Smirnova wrote her first screenplay in 1992. Together with [Alexei Uchitel](/source/Alexei_Uchitel) she created ''[The Last Hero (Russian movie)](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%9F%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%B3%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B9_(%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BC))'' about [Kino](/source/Kino_(band)) leader [Viktor Tsoi](/source/Viktor_Tsoi). In 1993, she wrote the ''Butterfly'' documentary, also in collaboration with Uchitel. In 1995, ''[Gisele's Mania](/source/Gisele's_Mania)'' based on Smirnova’s screenplay was released. In 2000, [Alexey Uchitel](/source/Alexey_Uchitel) released ''[His Wife's Diary](/source/His_Wife's_Diary)'' based on Smirnova's screenplay. Smirnova was awarded at The Hartley-Merrill International Screening Competition.][{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/nov/03/culture.features2?CMP=gu_com
|title =Ivan the terrible
|work = The Guardian
|date = 2000-11-03
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
Other movies written by Smirnova are ''[The Stroll](/source/The_Stroll_(2003_film))'' (2003), ''[The Connection](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A1%D0%B2%D1%8F%D0%B7%D1%8C_(%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BC%2C_2006))'' (2006), ''[Gloss](/source/Gloss_(film))'' (2007), ''[Fathers and Sons](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%9E%D1%82%D1%86%D1%8B_%D0%B8_%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B8_(%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BC%2C_2008))'' (2008), ''[9th of May: Personal Perspective](/source/%3Aru%3A9_%D0%BC%D0%B0%D1%8F._%D0%9B%D0%B8%D1%87%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B5_%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%BE%D1%88%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5)''. All films met mostly positive responses both by critics and the public.[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://eusp.org/people/avdotya-smirnova
|title =Avdotya Smirnova
|publisher = European University at Saint Petersburg
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
=== Director ===
''[The Connection](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A1%D0%B2%D1%8F%D0%B7%D1%8C_(%D1%84%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BC%2C_2006))'', released in 2006, became Smirnova's first experience as a director. Her comedy drama ''[Two Days](/source/Two_Days_(2011_film))'' (2011) collected many awards but was much criticized for romanticizing the state officials as one of the protagonists and main hero in the movie was running for governor's post. In parallel with Smirnova's real life marriage to a top-ranking state official, critics perceived the film as an attempt to whitewash the image of the government employees.[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url =http://old.kinoart.ru/archive/2011/08/n8-article12 |title =Идеологическая комедия. «Два дня», режиссер Авдотья Смирнова
|trans-title=Ideology and Comedy: Two Days by Dunya Smirnova
|publisher = Iskusstvo Kino
|date = 2011-08-08
|accessdate = 2022-12-09}}]
In 2012, she released ''[Kokoko](/source/Kokoko)'', a movie co-written with [Anna Parmas](/source/Anna_Parmas) and directed by Smirnova. The tragicomedy about a Russian museum worker brought its main actress [Anna Mikhalkova](/source/Anna_Mikhalkova) the Best Prize for acting at [Kinotavr](/source/Kinotavr) 2012 and numerous accolades for Smirnova.[{{cite web
|author=Gamble, P.
|language = en
|url = https://cine-vue.com/2012/11/russian-film-festival-2012-kokoko-review.html
|title =Russian Film Festival 2012: Kokoko review
|date = 11 November 2012
|publisher = Cinevue
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 2016, Smirnova became one of the directors of the ''[Peterburg: only by love](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B1%D1%83%D1%80%D0%B3._%D0%A2%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BA%D0%BE_%D0%BF%D0%BE_%D0%BB%D1%8E%D0%B1%D0%B2%D0%B8)'' cinema almanac, a so-called love letter in a movie form to the [cultural capital](/source/St_Petersburg) of Russia.[{{cite web
|author=Senichkina, V.
|language = ru
|url = https://www.gazeta.ru/culture/2015/09/11/a_7750133.shtml
|title =Селфи города Питера
|publisher = Gazeta
|date = 2015-09-11
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 2018, Smirnova released ''The Story of a Single Purpose''. The script is based on a true story that happened to 38-years old [Leo Tolstoy](/source/Leo_Tolstoy).[{{cite web
|author=Vasilyev, A.
|language = ru
|url =https://seance.ru/articles/vertinskiy/
|title =Путь всякой плоти — «Вертинский» Авдотьи Смирновой
|publisher = Seans
|date = 2021-09-13
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}][{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://calendar.fontanka.ru/articles/5541/
|title =Авдотья Смирнова снимает в Петербурге фильм на сюжет из жизни 38-летнего Льва Толстого
|publisher = Fontanka
|date = 2017-10-10
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 2021, Smirnova released ''[Vertinsky](/source/Vertinsky_(TV_series))''—an 8-series film about prominent Russian [chansonnier](/source/Chansonnier_(singer)) [Alexander Vertinsky](/source/Alexander_Vertinsky).[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://www.interfax-russia.ru/kaleidoscope/vertinskiy-i-sedmaya-simfoniya-poluchili-zolotyh-orlov-kak-luchshie-serialy
|title ="Вертинский" и "Седьмая симфония" получили "Золотых орлов" как лучшие сериалы
|publisher = Interfax Russia
|date = 2022-01-28
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In May 2025, Smirnova staged the play [https://www.gesher-theatre.co.il/en/repertoire/a/view/?ContentID=2854 Beyond the Light] at the [Gesher Theatre](/source/Gesher_Theater) in Tel Aviv. The production is based on a play written by Smirnova together with Stepnova. The premiere was a great success, after which the play toured several cities across Israel. Currently, tours in Europe and the United States are being prepared.[{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Light - Gesher Theatre |url=http://www.gesher-theatre.co.il/en/repertoire/a/view/Default.aspx?ContentID=2854 |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=www.gesher-theatre.co.il |language=en}}][{{Cite web |title=Beyond the Light - October 2025 |url=https://cherryorchardfestival.org/2025_beyond_the_light |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=cherryorchardfestival.org |language=en}}]
=== Personal life ===
In 1990, Smirnova gave a birth to a son [Danila Ippolitov](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%98%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%2C_%D0%94%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B0_%D0%90%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D1%8C%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87) with her then-husband [Arkady Ippolitov](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%98%D0%BF%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%2C_%D0%90%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%92%D0%B8%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87). Danila had a career in [beach soccer](/source/beach_soccer) that ended in 2015. He graduated from [Sergey Selyanov](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%A1%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%8F%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%2C_%D0%A1%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B3%D0%B5%D0%B9_%D0%9C%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87)'s course at the [Saint Petersburg State Institute of Film and Television](/source/Saint_Petersburg_State_Institute_of_Film_and_Television) and currently works as a producer.[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://www.sobaka.ru/entertainment/sport/23695
|title =Данила Ипполитов: «Пляжный футбол начинался как хобби»
|trans-title= Danila Ippolitov: ‘Beach soccer started as a hobby’
|publisher = Sobaka
|date = 2014-05-28
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 2012, Smirnova launched [Vikhod charity foundation](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%92%D1%8B%D1%85%D0%BE%D0%B4_(%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8C%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D1%84%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B4)) in St Petersburg. The foundation helps people with [ASD](/source/autism) in many aspects of their lives, it conducts educational, therapy, art and employment programmes. Since 2012, the foundation grew into a community with its own art studio, orchestra, training apartment of assisted living, etc.[{{cite web
|author=Antonova, E.
|language = ru
|url = https://www.gazeta.ru/social/2014/06/02/6056957.shtml
|title ="Адресная помощь аутистам сегодня бессмысленна"
|publisher = Gazeta
|date = 2014-06-02
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}][{{cite web
|language = ru
|title = Dunya Smirnova
|url = https://events.vedomosti.ru/speakers/smirnova-avdotya-6478
|publisher = Vedomosti
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}][ In the same year, she was awarded Woman of Year prize by [GQ](/source/GQ).][{{cite web
|author=Volobuev, R.
|language = ru
|url = https://www.gq.ru/heroes/zhenschina-goda-avdotya-smirnova-v-segodnyashnej-rossii-muzhchiny-yavlyayutsya-hudshej-chastyu-obschestva
|title =Женщина года Авдотья Смирнова: «В сегодняшней России мужчины являются худшей частью общества»
|trans-title=GQ Woman of Year Avdotya Smirnova: ‘In modern Russia men are the worst part’
|publisher = GQ
|date = 2012-10-09
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 2012, Smirnova married Russian politician [Anatoly Chubais](/source/Anatoly_Chubais).[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://www.vesti.ru/article/1868275
|title =Чубайс женится на известной телеведущей Дуне Смирновой
|trans-title= Chubais marries prominent TV host Dunya Smirnova
|publisher = Vesti
|date = 2012-01-17
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
In 2014, Smirnova signed an open letter of [KinoSouz](/source/%3Aru%3A%D0%9A%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%A1%D0%BE%D1%8E%D0%B7) in support of Ukraine during the [annexation of Crimea](/source/Annexation_of_Crimea_by_the_Russian_Federation). In 2022, Smirnova signed an open letter to Vladimir Putin demanding to stop the [2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine](/source/2022_Russian_Invasion_of_Ukraine). In March 2022, she left Russia together with her husband Chubais, who resigned from the post of Special Presidential Envoy.[{{cite web
|language = ru
|url = https://www.rbc.ru/politics/23/03/2022/623b08e99a79474b8d9b01b1
|title =Bloomberg сообщил об отъезде Анатолия Чубайса из России
|trans-title=Bloomberg announces Chubais leaving Russia
|publisher = Bloomberg
|date = 2022-03-23
|accessdate = 2022-11-09}}]
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smirnova, Dunya}}
Category:Russian film directors
Category:Living people
Category:Russian screenwriters
Category:Russian women screenwriters
Category:1969 births
Category:Russian women television presenters
Category:Russian opinion journalists
Category:Russian women journalists
Category:Russian women film directors
Category:Russian literary critics
Category:Russian women literary critics
Category:Russian film producers
Category:Russian women film producers
Category:Writers from Moscow
---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dunya Smirnova](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunya_Smirnova) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunya_Smirnova?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.