Slava Tsukerman
Russian film director (1939–2026)
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Vladislav "Slava" Markovich Tsukerman[1] (Russian: Владислав (Слава) Маркович Цукерман; April 25, 1939 – February 28, 2026) was a Russian film director, screenwriter and producer of Jewish origin.[2] He was born in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In 1973 he emigrated with his wife Nina Kerova to Israel. In 1976 he moved to New York City.[1] He is best known for producing, directing, and writing the screenplay for the 1982 cult film Liquid Sky.[3] He also directed the 2004 documentary Stalin's Wife (about Nadezhda Alliluyeva) and the 2008 film Perestroika.[4] He resided in New York City with his wife and producing partner Nina Kerova.
- Film director
- screenwriter
- producer
Slava Tsukerman | |
|---|---|
Слава Цукерман | |
Tsukerman (left) and Anne Carlisle at a screening of Liquid Sky at the Quad Cinema, New York City, in 2017 | |
| Born | April 25, 1939 Moscow, Russian SFSR, USSR |
| Died | February 28, 2026 (aged 86) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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In 2014, Tsukerman confirmed in an interview with The Awl that a sequel to Liquid Sky titled Liquid Sky 2 was in the works.[5] Lead actress Anne Carlisle would be returning in the sequel in the role of Margaret.[5]
In the 1960s he studied at the Moscow Institute of Civil Engineering (MISI), where he began creating. Tsukerman made his first film at 21 years of age, titled I Believe in Spring. It was the first independent short fiction film in Soviet history. It won first prize at the All-Union Festival of Amateur Films in Moscow.[6] It went on to win a prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. In the 1970s he immigrated to Israel and worked for Israeli television. There, he filmed a documentary titled Once Upon a Time There Were Russians in Jerusalem. The film won Best Documentary and Best Director at The World Television Film Festival in Hollywood.[citation needed]
Tsukerman died at his home in Manhattan on February 28, 2026, at the age of 86.[1]
Awards
- Gold Medal of VDNH (Highest Award of Soviet Industry)[citation needed]
- 1970 – Lomonosov Prize of the 1st degree (Highest award of the USSR Academy of Sciences)[citation needed]
- 1982 – Special Prize of the Jury – Montréal Film Festival – Liquid Sky
- 1983 – Special Jury Prize – Cartagena International Film Festival – Liquid Sky
- 1983 – Special Prize of the Jury – Brussels Film Festival (BRFF) – Liquid Sky
- 2001 – Best Directing – Kinotavr Film Festival – Poor Liza[citation needed]
