“On more than one occasion Ermolieff showed himself to be a shrewd psychologist in using to his advantage the ups and downs and the various difficulties in the human and professional relationships between the personalities in the Russian film industry, about which he was always well informed. Therefore, for example, in 1915, having come to hear of a snub which had been made to Mosjoukine, at that time the foremost star of the rival Changonov Studios, who had been passes over in favour of Radin for the leading role in Leon Drey, Ermolieff succeeded in convincing him to work for him with an inviting offer not so much on a financial level, but by healing the wounded pride of the actor. The directors Protazanov and Gardin, having left the Timan Company with the intention of creating their own independent production company, were subsequently unable to reach an agreement: it was thus that Protazanov signed a contract with Ermolieff with a hefty salary, becoming the most important film-maker of his studios. Ermoliff offered Moissej Aleinikov, a young employee of the magazine, the important professional opportunity to edit his own magazine (1915-1918) which thus became a serious, indipendent publication.

During its years of activity in Russia, Ermolieff’s company produced more than 120 motion pictures, by following a rather popular repertory and using the acting services of Mosjoukine, who Ermolieff had been able to tie to him by an cast-iron contract. Many years later Aleinikov recalled a remark made by Ermolieff regarding that period which was almost a motto for his production company: ‘I must avoid risk. [….] My dear friend, I am forced to produce a box-office hit every two weeks’.

Natalya Nussinova, Cinegrafie, VI, n. 9, 1996