"Fortunately, I've no time to look back on my past and summarize," Mikhalkov said in an interview. "I'm too busy with my new picture, Burnt by the Sun, Part II."
The first part of Burnt by the Sun, a tragic drama about the last happy season in the life of a Bolshevik hero's family before falling victim to Stalin's purges, earned Mikhalkov an Academy Award as best foreign-language film in 1995. His other prestigious international awards include a Golden Lion from the Venice Film Festival and a Grand-Prix from Cannes.
Mikhalkov's acting career began in 1963, with an appearance in the romantic comedy Ya Shagayu po Moskve (Meet me in Moscow). His directorial debut with the 1973 war adventure At Home Among Strangers, A Stranger Among His Own was an instant hit.
"Every role or film is part of my life, and...doing something you love is what happiness is all about. If you enjoy your work and are surrounded by friends and colleagues who understand you and share your joy of creative endeavor, what else could you wish for?" Mikhalkov said.
