Slava Tsukerman

Vladislav "Slava" Markovich Tsukerman (; April 25, 1939 – February 28, 2026) was a Russian film director, screenwriter and producer of Jewish origin. He was born in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In 1973 he emigrated with his wife Nina Kerova to Israel. In 1976 he moved to New York City. He also directed the 2004 documentary Stalin's Wife (about Nadezhda Alliluyeva) and the 2008 film Perestroika. He resided in New York City with his wife and producing partner Nina Kerova.

In 2014, Tsukerman confirmed in an interview with The Awl that a sequel to Liquid Sky titled Liquid Sky 2 was in the works. Lead actress Anne Carlisle would be returning in the sequel in the role of Margaret. It went on to win a prize at the Montreal World Film Festival. In the 1970s he immigrated to Israel and worked for Israeli television. There, he filmed a documentary titled Once Upon a Time There Were Russians in Jerusalem. The film won Best Documentary and Best Director at The World Television Film Festival in Hollywood.

Tsukerman died at his home in Manhattan on February 28, 2026, at the age of 86. Awards Gold Medal of VDNH (Highest Award of Soviet Industry) 1970 – Lomonosov Prize of the 1st degree (Highest award of the USSR Academy of Sciences) 1982 – Special Prize of the Jury – Montréal Film Festival – Liquid Sky 1983 – Special Jury Prize – Cartagena International Film Festival – Liquid Sky 1983 – Special Prize of the Jury – Brussels Film Festival (BRFF) – Liquid Sky 2001 – Best Directing – Kinotavr Film Festival – Poor Liza