The series "Downton Abbey", which events develop at the beginning of the twentieth century, is partly like a fairy tale. Stunning landscapes, well-mannered heroes, some incredible calmness and regularity - all this made the tape one of the most popular in the world. And the life of the servants and their relationship with representatives of the high society seem to be downright ideal places. But didn't the creators of the series go too far from the real picture of life in the UK at that time?
Jocelyn Wildenstein - a nightmare of plastic surgery clinics. Her disfigured face evokes only feelings of pity and disgust. The story of "the bride of Frankenstein" is surprisingly silly and makes you wonder how big money can ruin a person
Many knew about his rival Aristotle Onassis, probably because of his craving for famous women. But Stavros Niarchos was in no way inferior to him. His personal life was like a fascinating series with a quick change of characters and scenery, his business grew by leaps and bounds, and the passions that overwhelmed the Greek billionaire seemed indomitable. By the way, he was even married to the first wife of his eternal competitor, and today the grandson of Stavros Niarchos, named after him, is married to Diana Zhukovo
One of the most famous bestsellers in American literature was released 85 years ago. His success was overwhelming and brought the author truly worldwide recognition, and three years later the filmmakers released the film of the same name. The film starring Vivien Leigh won the hearts of millions of viewers around the world and won eight Oscars out of fourteen for which it was nominated. Why did the scandal arise around these two masterpieces, and the film was even removed from the public domain?
In 2020, the world experienced a global health crisis. All industries were affected, but the heritage sector was affected the most. In a joint report by UNESCO and ICOM, both groups showed that about ninety-five percent of museums closed their doors at the start of the pandemic, and many are still closed almost a year later. Museums are reporting all-time low attendance rates. To counteract this, they have increased their online presence. Thanks to innovative use
55 years ago, the film "Beware of the Car" was released on the screens of the Soviet Union with Innokentiy Smoktunovsky in the title role. The lyrical tragicomedy was incredibly successful due to its positive energy. The image of the main character, a serial car thief, inseparable from the volume of Shakespeare, fell in love with the audience. Who became the prototype of Yuri Detochkin, the Soviet Robin Hood of the 20th century?
Hypatia of Alexandria was one of the most brilliant female philosophers of the ancient world. She was especially gifted in mathematics and taught a number of distinguished dignitaries from all over the Roman Empire. But Hypatia lived at a time when the Church was gaining strength, and she soon became the target of Christian fanatics. An important and prominent figure in her community, she soon found herself caught up in a dark conflict between an ambitious Christian bishop and local secular authorities. The result of all this was the very crust
In the filmography of Nina Ruslanova, there are almost 150 works in the cinema. She starred with Kira Muratova, Igor Maslennikov, Georgy Danelia, Alexander Blank, Alexei German and many other directors who appreciated the actress not only for the skill of transformation, but also for her incredible ability to work. Nina Ruslanova, who was brought up in an orphanage, always dreamed of a big family, but fate gave her the opportunity to become a mother only once. Olesya Rudakova studied at GITIS, but never became an actress
He served in the theater, acted in films, but was remembered by everyone as the host of the "Song of the Year" program. For eighteen years, Evgeny Menshov, together with Angelina Vovk, appeared on the screens, invariably elegant, smart, incredibly charming. It is not for nothing that on television he received the unofficial title of a real gentleman of television. He had many friends, Evgeny Menshov was loved and respected by his colleagues. But he spent the last days of his life in a hospice
It's no secret that a business, especially a large one, is usually a family business. This is not surprising - when creating an enterprise, the owner, as a rule, surrounds himself with people whom he can trust 100%, and who can he trust more than his relatives? That is why family members usually actively participate in the management of the family business and own shares in it. And the combined fortune of relatives is estimated at billions of dollars
Many men today wear beards, whether it goes or not. But this is rather a tribute to fashion. But in old Russia, a beardless male was perceived with caution and could even be suspected of bad inclinations. Why did this happen? Can a beard really influence a person's fate? Read in the material how they perceived a beard in Russia, why it was easier for bearded men to marry, and how it depended on facial hair whether a person would go to hell
Today, celebrities are happy to talk about their ancestors, especially if they were related to high society in the past. In Soviet times, it was not accepted to advertise their noble origin, thanks to which they could easily be sent to places not so remote. Famous Soviet actors, in whose veins "blue blood" flowed, carefully concealed their belonging to the aristocracy. However, nobility, posture, manners and upbringing have always made themselves felt
How the alcohol-comedy "Afonya" was filmed, and why the filmmakers were offended by the scriptwriter
More than 45 years have passed since the release of the picture by Georgy Danelia, and he still makes viewers happy and sad, empathize with the heroes and argue about how right each of them is in his perception of reality. Surprisingly, Afonya turned out to be so successful that critics, spectators, and even actors and directors could appreciate it. But the process of making the film was very difficult
The fame of this actor after the release of the film "The Adventures of Electronics" could only be compared with the glory of the Torsuev brothers, who played the main characters of the picture. The phrases that the freckled Makar Gusev uttered in the picture are still quoted by viewers whose childhood fell on the end of the last century. Vasily Modest, it seems, was simply created for the stage, but after filming in several films, the young actor decided to change his life radically
The famous director was considered loving in a Caucasian way and not inclined to create a stable family. He broke up with his first wife a year after the marriage, and even the high position of his father-in-law did not stop him. Lyubov Sokolova, whose attention he had been seeking for a long time, Georgy Danelia never took to the registry office, although she was almost an ideal wife. And only Galina Yurkova, who never dreamed of marriage with Danelia, made him an exemplary family man
In the Soviet Union, it was very difficult to find a more popular pioneer than Ekaterina Derevshchikova. Lively cheerful Zhenya from the film "Timur and his team" was noticed and remembered. It seemed that the young actress was waiting for a brilliant career. But life turned out to be much more prosaic: the glory of Ekaterina Derevshchikova did not last long, and her film career did not work out. The main reason for this was called Tamara Makarova's dislike for a young colleague
She herself calls herself a woman with a ridiculous face and cannot imagine life without theater and cinema. Yana Sexte plays in the Moscow Theater of Oleg Tabakov, acts in films a lot and enjoys every moment that fate has given her. True, this was not always the case. When her first husband, Maxim Matveyev, went to Elizabeth Boyarskaya, the world around seemed to be crumbling before our eyes. It was not an easy time, but she still got out of that situation with dignity and again learned to be happy
Architects, being creative people, are also prone to experimentation, flight of imagination and unexpected solutions. But their plans can be very difficult to implement tasks, therefore, if an unusual architectural structure appears that claims to be a work of art, then it is absolutely certain that it was necessary, and a huge number of first-class specialists had a hand in its creation. After all, what goes beyond the usual in architecture always requires colossal mental and
From stately churches, temples and homes built to protect from spirits, to national monuments and breathtaking skyscrapers, these unfinished buildings all have their own unique stories behind why they were never completed. Some of them are still under construction and some have been completely abandoned. But almost every one of them could become one of the most beautiful buildings in the world if they were ever completed
Anna Tsukanova-Kott is a theater and film actress, TV presenter and singer who became famous for her filming in Yeralash and Eighties. Basically, Anna plays secondary roles, but there are a lot of works in her filmography. Despite the lack of prominent roles and an ordinary appearance, the girl was lucky to marry a director, whom she met at the age of seven. But recently, juicy details were revealed that Anna had an affair with actor Vladimir Epifantsev, a cat
The book is a wonderful world that does not limit your imagination. The film is a vision of the picture by one person - the director. Most people who read a work and then watched a film based on it agree that cinema can rarely convey all the details and atmosphere of a book
On the example of the hero of a famous Soviet film, we know that Georgy Ivanovich is Gosha, he is Goga, he is Zhora, he is Yura. Such confusion can lead a foreigner into a stupor, but it does not surprise a Russian person. But what are the names hidden under the affectionate children's nicknames from old films and books, sometimes it is not so easy to figure it out
Characteristic actor Vitaly Solomin confidently won the hearts of the audience with his roles. The prudent Dr. Watson rivaled in popularity the spineless womanizer Vadim from Winter Cherry. At some point, he became like his indecisive hero, deceiving his wife. Only in real life, his wife did not want to play the role of a victim, she had enough wisdom, patience and love to save the family and return her barely lost happiness
In those days, beautiful statues were created, the Olympic Games began to be held, then the theater was born and developed, as well as schools of thought, the cult of a healthy body, amazing architectural structures … Is it possible to return those times and live according to ancient rules and in cities created in the likeness of ancient Greek policy? Unfortunately no
Weak-willed slaves who were driven into the arena, or adventurers hungry for wealth and blood? Who were the gladiators of ancient Rome? Disputes on this issue continue among historians to this day. Research carried out over the past decades has largely shed light on the history of this bloody sport
Russia is full of natural attractions for every taste, including mysterious and mystical places. One of these places is the Vidimskoe tract and, located in it, the Dead Lake. This mysterious zone is located in the Nizhneilimsky district of the Irkutsk region. At first glance, the area seems unremarkable and friendly, but it was not for nothing that it was dubbed the "Russian Bermuda Triangle"
For those who think that they have already seen everything in Crimea, it will certainly be interesting to visit one ancient and mysterious place. It is not as famous as the Swallow's Nest or Vorontsov Palace, but its beauty is mesmerizing. These are the ruins of the Kalamita fortress, located not far from Sevastopol, on the Monastery rock plateau. Foothills and caves, ancient bastions and temples - all of this is of great interest to both historians and those who just like to be photographed in unusual picturesque places. However, Kalami
Once these couples were called the strongest and set as an example. They lived together for many years, shared their joys and sorrows in half, raised children and, perhaps, hoped to be there until their last days. But a moment came when the family suddenly ceased to exist, and two once close people suddenly became strangers. In our today's review, star couples of politicians, businessmen, actors and representatives of show business, who broke up after 25 or more years of marriage
Pablo Picasso needs no introduction. Cubist painter, draftsman, ceramist, sculptor and printmaker, he remains one of the most influential figures in modern cultural history. However, while he was at the very epicenter of contemporary art, many of his sources of inspiration were drawn directly from the ancient past. This is not surprising, since artists have always looked back. But the way antiquity reappeared over and over again in the works of Picasso was yes
Every time when it comes to the Ottoman Empire, images and fantasies about a power inhabited by great sultans, filled with exotic aromas and accompanied by the sounds of a muezzin calling for Islamic prayer immediately pop up in my head. But that is not all. During its heyday, the great Ottoman Empire (circa 1299-1922) spread from Anatolia and the Caucasus through North Africa to Syria, Arabia and Iraq. It brought together many disparate parts of Islamic and Eastern Christianity
The Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations flourished in Crete and mainland Greece during the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC, and Homer immortalized them in his two epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey. There is a certain similarity between them due to the fact that the Mycenaeans adopted many Minoan cultures. However, their lifestyle, society and beliefs were completely different, and this is evident in their art. The main differences in the art of two civilizations - further in the article
Annie Leibovitz is one of the most famous contemporary American photographers. Starting as a young, inexperienced amateur who managed to get a job in a prestigious world magazine, she quickly established herself as a photographer who could capture the essence of her subjects, unlike others. And it is not at all surprising that her rapidly growing career has been subject to criticism and controversy. However, her unquenchable talent and insatiable desire to keep working led her to an almost incomparable
Indian yogis and Buddhist monks have always been renowned for their unique physical abilities, acquired through a combination of discipline, meditation and prayer. However, 1700 years ago, a number of Christians showed such an incredible and, in modern parlance, extreme example of discipline and love for God, before which the practices of yogis and monks simply fade away. These people are pillars. Living on a pole for decades is truly incomprehensible
Catherine the Great was a gambling woman. Once she argued with Prince Potemkin about who is bolder - a man or a woman. Trying to prove to the Empress that he was right, Potemkin introduced her to a hundred beautiful girls in military uniform and with weapons in their hands. Read in the material how the female army was assembled, for which Catherine gave the “captain” Elena Sarandova a diamond ring and how the death battalion of Maria Bochkareva was created
Catherine, the youngest daughter of Alexander II, lived a long life, was married twice and gave birth to two sons. Her happy childhood was spent in the luxury of the Winter Palace, and her beggarly old age - in a British almshouse. Both marriages were unsuccessful. Men loved by the emperor's heiress cheated on her and betrayed her. Born in a sinful relationship, she seemed to pay the price for the actions of her mother and for the suffering that she caused to the first wife of Alexander II all her life
In 1300, a woman appeared in the Norwegian city of Bergen. She claimed that her real name and title was Margaret, Queen of Scots. The story of the death of the little ruler by that time was still fresh in the memory of the Norwegians, it was only embarrassing that if she managed to survive, she would be a young seventeen-year-old girl, the same lady had gray hair through her blonde hair. Whether she was an imposter or not, there were those who believed her
At the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, an unprecedented victory took place: the weightlifter from the USSR Alexei Vakhonin managed not only to push the barbell with a record weight for himself and fix it. He went further, putting in place all the champions participating and entering the sports history of the world. According to legend, as a child, Alexei Kunov (the athlete's family name) was treated for a serious illness in a Russian oven. But having glorified the Soviet Union, the record holder drank himself and tragically passed away
After the formation of the Soviet Union in 1922, the new state was excluded from the world Olympic movement for a long time. Despite the achievements of the athletes of the USSR, all pre-war attempts to participate in the Olympiads ended in failure. The turning point happened after 1950, when the International Olympic Committee (IOC), interested in the successes of Soviet athletes, invited Moscow to create an Olympic team for a trip to Helsinki
Often we see only the rosy part of the life of athletes: victories, medals, records, recognition, success, fans. But few people think about the other side of the medal: in order to achieve success, athletes need to train a lot, a lot, endure hardships, push family and loved ones into the background, go to the goal through pain and recover from injuries. And it would be fine if the latter could be easily dealt with. After all, history knows many examples when annoying falls and injuries forced
This romance began suddenly and nearly ruined the plans of the two powers. This story clearly demonstrates how monarchs had to sacrifice real feelings for the sake of state interests. In 1839, the young Queen Victoria ruled in England. At the same time, Tsarevich Alexander was in Europe in search of a bride and even had already looked for a suitable candidate for himself. Nobody thought that representatives of the royal dynasties would fall in love with each other. However, this is exactly what happened