Outstanding director Eldar Ryazanov passes away in Moscow

The famous Russian film director Eldar Ryazanov has died today aged 88 years, LifeNews TV reports.

On November 29 it is reported that he was placed on artificial ventilation. Medics also found fluid in his lungs and diagnosed him with pulmonary and cardiac failure.

Ryazanov was hospitalized twice in the last year. In 2014 he was diagnosed with "acute ischemic stroke."

Ryazanov directed such popular Soviet-era comedies as Carnival Night, Beware of the Car, the Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath, Office Romance, the Garage and Station for Two.

Members of the Union of Cinematographers of Russia and professional organizations and associations of cinema (KinoSoyuz) said that Ryazanov was a great citizen and artist. "It is a huge and irreparable loss for us. Eldar Ryazanov was one of the 12 founders of our Union, our friend and comrade, a great artist and citizen."

"Eldar Ryazanov passed away, but he hasn't left our lives, which he made less cruel and hopeless, more spiritual and more fun," the famous Russian film critic Andrey Plakhov said.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also expressed condolences on the death of the film director. "Ryazanov died, he passed away. But he also stay with us. Because every December 31st we will be together again. Thank you for a wonderful Christmas tradition! And let him rest in peace," she wrote on her Facebook page.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture, Russian actress Elena Drapeko, noted that Ryazanov was a very wise man who loved people, it can be seen in his films and poems.

According to her, "it seems that Ryazanov has always been and always will be." "His films, his poetry, it is an essential part of our lives. When we have fun, we watch his movies, when we are sad, we remember his poems," RIA Novosti cited Drapeko as saying.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin sent a telegram expressing his condolences to the families and friends of the director. According to him, Ryazanov's movies give us joy, fairytales and faith in love and kindness.