Her work runs counter to the popular opinion that film directing is not a female profession. Her masterpieces, "Three Poplars in Plyushchikha" and "Seventeen Moments of Spring," were extremely popular and admired and loved by critics and millions of people.
Ms. Lioznova was born in Moscow and graduated from the director school of the All-Union State Cinematography Institute (VGIK) in 1949. She studied under Soviet movie legends Sergei Gerasimov and Tamara Makarova (his wife). She was an assistant to Mr. Gerasimov when he shot "The Young Guard," "Mysterious Find" and "The Land and People."
The 1958 film, "The Memory of the Heart," was Ms. Lioznova's directorial debut. Tamara Makarova co-wrote and starred in the film.
"Three Poplars in Plyushchikha," a lyrical movie starring Tatiana Doronina and Oleg Yefremov, made the director famous. This film is still popular.
After that, she worked on the legendary television series, "Seventeen Moments of Spring," which was based on Yulian Semyonov's eponymous novel. The series deals with the work of a Soviet spy in Abwehr (Nazi intelligence and counter-espionage service).
The series solidified the director's fame and contributed to the popularity of Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Rostislav Plyatt, Leonid Bronevoi, Oleg Tabakov, and Yevgeny Yevstigneyev.
Mikhail Shvydkoi, the head of the Russian Culture and Cinematography Agency, and Alexander Golutva, his deputy, sent a telegram congratulating Ms. Lioznova and on behalf of all Russian filmmakers, thanking her for her contribution to the development of Russian cinema.
"We wish you health, well-being, courage, optimism and a young soul, which your friends, colleagues and the millions of people who admire your work know," the telegram said. "Let every day bring you good luck."
