Elina Bystritskaya

Biography

Elina Bystritskaya is a Soviet and Russian actress best known for her role of Aksiniya in Sergei Gerasimov's epic screening of Mikhail Sholokhov's novel And Quiet Flows the Don (1958). Jewish by ethnicity and a native of Kiev, Bystritskaya was chosen to play Aksiniya by Sholokhov himself over several distinguished candidates, notably Nonna Mordyukova. Before that, she co-starred with Sergey Bondarchuk in the Unfinished Story, an archetypal Socialist Realist film. In the 1960's, Bystritskaya turned to theatre work in the Maly Theatre and her appearances on screen grew sporadic. She was named People's Artist of the USSR in 1978.

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Awards and Honors

Critical Favorites

1957Nominee

Best Performance

Quiet Flows the Don

1974Nominee

Best Performance

The Ostrovsky House

1967Nominee

Best Performance

Nikolay Bauman

Career Highlights

2002Highlight

Best Performance

Babi Yar

1963Highlight

Best Performance

All Remains to People