[1] Solovyov first experienced theatrical production as a child at the Theater of Youth Creativity (1957–1962), directed by Matvey Dubrovin.

He studied at all-Soviet state Institute of Cinematography, worked in Leningrad TV and Mosfilm studio (1969–1987, film director, writer, producer).

[2] Solovyov contributed to the Russian rock movement of the perestroika era, with such films as Assa (1987, starring rock musicians Afrika (Sergei Bugaev), Viktor Tsoi, Sergey Ryzhenko) and Black Rose Is an Emblem of Sorrow, Red Rose Is an Emblem of Love (1989).

Both Soviet films prominently feature Russian rock music in soundtracks, especially by Boris Grebenshchikov and his band Aquarium.

Solovyov was a professor of Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography and the chairman of Cinematographer's Union of Russia from 1994 to 1997.