[2] He started from creating mostly arthouse pictures and music videos but gained significant mainstream popularity in action crime drama movies Brother (1997) and Brother 2 (2000), both of which starred Sergei Bodrov, Jr.[3] Later, Balabanov directed the films Cargo 200 (2007), Morphine (2008) and A Stoker (2010) which also received critical recognition.

Later Balabanov studied at the experimental workshop "Auteur Cinema" (Russian: Авторское кино) of the High Courses for Scriptwriters and Film Directors, graduating in 1990.

In 1991 Balabanov directed his feature film debut Happy Days based on the works by Samuel Beckett.

His next film, crime drama Brother (1997) about a contract killer, was a great box-office and critical success.

Cargo 200 (2007), partially based on Faulkner's novel Sanctuary, proved to be controversial among critics and audiences due to the graphic display of violence in the film.

[5] Balabanov struggled to cope with the death of his favoured actor and close friend Sergei Bodrov Jr.

[11] Prior to his death, Balabanov was reportedly planning to make a film on Stalin, portraying him as a 'godfather of crime'.