Grigorij Aleksandrov (1903-1983) was an influential Soviet director, whose cinematic career was distinguished by a peculiar fusion of musical comedy and state propaganda.

He began as a close collaborator of Sergei Eisenstein, co-directing seminal works such as *Battleship Potemkin* (1925) and *October* (1928), contributing to the editing and occasionally appearing in small roles. However, Aleksandrov is primarily known for his transition towards light and optimistic musical comedies.

His most celebrated films include *Jolly Fellows* (Весёлые ребята, 1934), *Circus* (Цирк, 1936), and *Volga-Volga* (Волга-Волга, 1938). Often starring his wife and muse, Lyubov Orlova, these films celebrated the optimism and constructive spirit of the Soviet Union through catchy songs, lively plots, and a joyful aesthetic, making him a master of popular Soviet cinema.