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One of the Soviet Union's most popular film directors, Eldar Ryazanov dies at 88. His comedies were enjoyed by millions and captured the absurdities of Communist life. One of his films is still shown on Russian TV every New Year's Eve. President Putin says he was 'national treasure'. Steve Rosenberg looks back the life of a man who - as one film critic said - made life under Communism "less cruel and hopeless": (Photo: Eldar Ryazanov. Credit: AFP)