Graduated from the Faculty of History and Philology of Moscow State University. One of the first professional film dramatists of Soviet cinema. He worked in collaboration with V. Pudovkin. Conducted pedagogical work at the State Electoral Commission.
Author of the research work "Cinema Dramaturgy" (partially published), the book "How We Work on the Screenplay" (1936), etc.
Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1935).
In 1935, Pudovkin and Zarkhi wrote the script for a new film in a rest home in Abramtsevo. For various reasons, they had to travel to Moscow. Upon returning from the city, on the Yaroslavl highway, an accident occurred. Pudovkin, Zarkhi and the driver were in the car. One Nathan Abramovich was injured.
