Vitaly Melnikov is the director of everyone’s favorite films: “The Chief of Chukotka”, “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev”, “Hello and Farewell”, “The Eldest Son”, “Marriage”, “Marry the Captain”, “The Tsar’s Hunt”, “Poor, poor Pavel”, “Propaganda brigade “Beat the enemy”!” and many others. But his life itself could serve as the basis for a fascinating scenario. The fate of V. Melnikov is full of events and films. And, of course, meetings with bright people: Sergei Eisenstein, Mikhail Romm, Eldar Ryazanov, Evgeny Leonov, Mikhail Kononov, Yuri Bogatyrev, Oleg Efremov, Oleg Dahl, Natalya Gundareva, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Viktor Sukhorukov and others. And since in the very title of his book the director combines life and cinema, he passionately talks about what he loves and knows how to do best - about filmmaking. For a wide range of readers.