Sergei Loznitsa

Sergei Vladimirovich Loznitsa is a renowned Ukrainian film director of Belarusian origin, known for both his documentary and dramatic films. Born on 5 September 1964 in Baranavichy, in the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, he later moved to Kyiv, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, where he completed high school. With an initial background in mathematics, Loznitsa graduated as a mathematician from Kyiv Polytechnic Institute in 1987 and worked on expert systems, systems of design-making, and artificial intelligence at the Institute of Cybernetics. He also dabbled as a Japanese translator.

In 1991, Loznitsa enrolled at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, graduating with honors in 1997, which marked his deep dive into the world of cinema. He began his career as a documentary film director in Saint Petersburg in 2000, after which he and his family moved to Germany. His works significantly captured his intimate depictions of the former Soviet Europe, winning him international acclaim with major screenings at various Film Festivals. Loznitsa's work extends from documentaries like Babi Yar. Context to feature films including My Joy and In the Fog. Controversy arose as he spoke out against the boycott of Russian Films amidst the struggle of Ukraine's independence, leading to his expulsion from the Ukrainian Film Academy.