The article considers the features of the creative work of Vasilii Makarovich Shukshin - the writer, playwright, publicist, film director, actor, whose 85 th anniversary is celebrated by the Russian public. The author proves that the uniqueness of Shukshin is in the identity of his creative work, which was strongly attracted by the philosophical and psychological analysis of human existence. The topicality of his works is related to the theme of moral searching, thinking about the meaning of life, its highest mission. The understanding of the Russian history, the problems of village and town and the study of the Russian national character depth and diversity are at the heart of Shukshin’s prose and his “author’s” cinematography. The author defines the mission, philosophy of Shukshin’s creative work - literary and cinematic - united by the commonness of theme, images, creative method and style.