A new book by film critic and cultural critic Mark Kushnirov is dedicated to the most little-known period in the history of Russian cinema - the first pre-Soviet decade of its existence. Its heroes are the creators of the first films Alexander Khanzhonkov and Pavel Drankov, directors Vladimir Gardin, Evgeny Bauer, Yakov Protazanov, screenwriter Alexander Goncharov, famous actors Vera Kholodnaya, Vera Karalli, Olga Preobrazhenskaya, Ivan Mozzhukhin, Vladimir Gaidarov and many others. Their laconic sketch portraits are included in the broad panorama of the formation of Russian cinema and its gradual transformation from spectacle into art. The source for the book was old film magazines and posters from the author’s collection, miraculously preserved films, oral and written memories of silent film stars.