Sultan Islamov
| Sultan Islamov Султан Исламов | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sultan Islamov |
| Born | February 14, 1965 |
| Origin |
 Hidi, Nozhai-Yurt, Chechen-Ingush ASSR, Soviet Union |
| Genres | Music of Chechnya |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Actor |
| Instruments | Voice |
| Years active | 1989- |
Sultan Islamov (Chechen: Султан Исламов Russian: Султан Исламов) (born February 14, 1965 in Hidi, Chechnya) is a Russian actor and singer of Chechen origins.
Biography
Sultan was born in the village of Hidi in the Nozhai-Yurt farm area to a large rural family, with four brothers and four sisters. His father served as a brigadier in the Soviet Army and his mother was a housewife. As a child, Sultan was a very devoted fan of movies, and he would not skip a single feature film screened - a hobby that was often cursed by annoyed family members. He remembers that as a child, Stanislav Rostotsky's 1972 feature film The Dawns Here Are Quiet left an enormous impression on him, and he wrote for photographs of the actor Andrei Martynov and actresses in that movie, which he would add to a collection of photos of well-known actors and actresses throughout the Soviet Union. He remained active in art and music in school, as well as in his village's Culture House.
After graduating from secondary school Sultan went to Moscow to pursue his acting dreams, and he applied to every drama school in the capital, yet was not accepted by any of the schools he applied to. Nevertheless, Sultan would return next year to reapply, and in total he attempted for entrance five times, twice in the army, and three afterwards. While serving in the Army Sultan played a small role in the army film "The World is Your Home". In 1985 after his fifth and last try, Sultan was allowed to audition for the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. He recalls of the process:
"In examining board sat the legendary Sergei Bondarchuk. I had to audition through three rounds. But I was not able to make it because of my horrible Russian. I am to this day not able to perfectly speak Russian. Bondarchuk came to me, when I was upset and standing in the corridor, and said : "Young man, do not despair, you are talented, you have a magnificent appearance (and I was very bad, with a huge nose). You can reach the GITIS (Russian Academy of the Arts).' But even there, I missed."
Dejected, Sultan returned home, but later decided to continue his study at the Tursunzade Institute of Culture in Tajikistan, where he would study for six months before returning to his native village. Sultan started working in the school, and soon became the artistic director of his village's Culture House, and even worked on the village farm. Sultan would also join the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
In 1989 the Chechen-Ingush State University announced their first set of a Theatre Workshop, and this time Sultan was credited for his acting experience and education. He gained a role in the massive play "Land of the Fathers", which included many prominent Chechen actors. Sultan would practice alongside actor Akhmed Zakayev, who would later become the Foreign Minister of the separatist Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. However, Sultan would have to take a break from this play, to go to Moscow to receive plastic surgery on his nose.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 2002 | House of Fools | Ahmed | |
External links
- Sultan Islamov at the Internet Movie Database
- (Russian) Obedinnaya Gazeta Biographical Information
- (Russian) Doshdu Magazine Interview with Sultan Islamov
- (Russian) Sobar.org Music of Sultan Islamov
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