Actors Without Makeup by Boris Filippov

Actors Without Makeup

Author: Boris Filippov
Publisher: Progress Publishers
Edition: First Edition, 1977
Pages: 278

Actors Without Makeup by Boris Filippov offers readers a rare and insightful journey into the lives of leading Soviet actors beyond the curtain and behind the lens. Published by Progress Publishers in 1977, this book goes far beyond traditional biographical sketches or critical essays. It provides intimate, humanizing portraits of artists not in their public personas, but as individuals shaped by political realities, personal struggles, and a lifelong devotion to their craft.

Filippov brings together his extensive interviews, observations, and personal reflections to create a mosaic of stories that blend artistic philosophy with historical context. These are not just profiles; they are conversations with some of the USSR’s most revered cultural figures, revealing their inner worlds, creative motivations, and the burdens of fame under a tightly controlled regime.

Through these accounts, the book addresses wider themes of artistic integrity, censorship, and the role of theatre and cinema in shaping public consciousness during a politically charged era. The featured actors are portrayed not as state puppets or cultural icons, but as deeply human, often conflicted individuals navigating a space between public expectation and private truth.

With its vivid storytelling, journalistic sensitivity, and cultural depth, Actors Without Makeup serves as both an important historical document and a touching tribute to performance art in its most honest form. It remains a vital read for students of theatre, film historians, and anyone interested in Soviet-era cultural life.

• Offers personal, unfiltered profiles of notable Soviet actors.

• Explores the tension between public image and private identity in performing arts.

• Based on in-depth interviews and personal reflections by the author.

• Provides historical context of Soviet theatre and cinema in the 20th century.

• Highlights the impact of censorship and politics on artistic expression.

• A rare behind-the-scenes view of actors’ lives during a tightly controlled cultural period.

• Authored by a seasoned writer with intimate access to leading figures.

• Essential for readers interested in film, theatre, and Soviet cultural hist