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1-29 of 29
- Producer
- Executive
Arthur Sarkissian was born on 11 May 1960 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He is a producer and executive, known for Rush Hour (1998), Last Man Standing (1996) and The Foreigner (2017).- Svetlana Svetlichnaya was born on 15 May 1940 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. She is an actress, known for The Diamond Arm (1969), The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed (1979) and Day of Wrath (1985).
- He studied in Leninakan Art College and Theatre Studio, then finished at the Acting Department of Yerevan Institute of Fine Arts and Theatre. Since 1953 he has performed in the Sundukyan Drama Theatre of Yerevan. He also directed many successful productions, best of them Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths". His cinema career began in 1955. His famous roles in Aybolit-66 (1967), Kidnapping, Caucasian Style (1967), Mimino (1977) earned him the reputation of one of the leading comedy actors in the Soviet Union. But that reputation sometimes overshadowed his real talent and emotional deepness which he put in such classics of Armenian cinema as Yerankyuni (1967),_Menq enq, mer sarere (1970)_, Hayrik (1973), Life Triumphs (1977), Hin oreri yerge (1982), Tango of Our Childhood (1985). Certainly he was the most famous and internationally recognized Armenian artist of the 2nd half of 20th century.
- Actress
- Producer
- Director
Olga Chekhova (also Olga Tschechova in German), one of the most popular stars of the silent film era, remained a mysterious person throughout her life and was accused of being a Russian agent in Nazi Germany.
She was born Olga Konstantinovna von Knipper on April 26, 1897, in Aleksandropol, Transcaucasia, Russian Empire (now Gyumri, Armenia). She was the second of 3 children in a bilingual Russian-German family. Her father, Konstantin Leonardovich Knipper, a Lutheran of German descent. He made a military career in Russia as a railroad engineer. Young Olga studied art and literature at an art school in St. Petersburg. Later as an immigrant in Germany she claimed friendship with the family of Tsar Nicholas II--who also was of German origin--and that she had encountered the notorious Russian mystic and monk, Grigory Rasputin. In reality, she was sent from St. Petersburg to Moscow to her aunt, actress Olga Knipper-Chekhova, to study acting at Moscow Art Theatre. In 1914, at age 17, she eloped with Russian-Jewish actor Michael Chekhov, nephew of Anton Chekhov.
Olga adored her husband, Michael Chekhov, a rising star of stage and film. But he met another beauty, Xenia Zimmer, and became involved in extramarital affair while Olga was pregnant with their child. Their daughter, Ada Tschechowa, was born in 1916. Olga separated from Michael Chekhov during the tragic time of the Russian Revolution in 1917. That same year she made her film debut in a Russian silent film, Anya Kraeva (1918).
Olga claimed that she fled Russia disguised as a peasant woman and posed as a mute while carrying a diamond ring in her mouth. In reality she married an officer in the Austro-Hungarian army, Friedrich Jaroshi, and took a train from the Moscow Belorussky station to Vienna, Austria, having travel documents from the Russian Commissar of Culture (and she was also helped by the Russian intelligence agency in exchange for her cooperation). She was later invited to the Soviet Embassy in Berlin for meetings with Soviet officials. In Germany she was introduced to film producer Erich Pommer and renowned director F.W. Murnau, who gave her a leading role in his film, The Haunted Castle (1921). She quickly became a huge star in Europe and played in more than 40 silent films during the decade. Olga was joined by ex-husband Michael Chekhov in several films, including Der Narr seiner Liebe (1929) (aka "The Fool of Love"), which she also directed.
Future Nazi leader Adolf Hitler reportedly fell for Olga upon seeing her cold and beautiful face in several films in the 1920s. She was famous for her movie image as a baroness and was courted in the 1930s by Luftwaffe boss Hermann Göring and by Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. Some wives of high-ranking Nazi officials were jealous of and hated the beautiful Olga. Goebbels was known to have visited her home on several occasions when he wanted to be away from his Nazi "activities". He invited Olga to several Nazi receptions and introduced her to Adolf Hitler in April 1933. Olga became a personal friend of Hitler and was photographed sitting next to "Der Fuhrer" at official events of the Nazi Party. She also received valuable Christmas gifts from Hitler, and regular birthday presents and other tokens of his attention.
In 1936 Olga was honored with the title of "State Actress" of the Third Reich and was made a German citizen. She married a wealthy Belgian businessman, Marcel Robyns. One day prior to the wedding she had a private reception with Hitler, who gave her permission to retain her German citizenship. Two years later she divorced Robyns and returned to her high-society life in Berlin. Her famous 1939 photo-op with Hitler was thoroughly analyzed in Moscow.
She was invited by Soviet officials to join Hermann Göring and Joachim von Ribbentrop at the meeting with Vyacheslav Molotov and Gen. V. N. Merkulov at the Soviet Embassy in Berlin in 1940. At that time Olga was associated with her agent-brother Lev Knipper, who was sent from Moscow to Germany on a secret mission to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The plan was to use one of Olga's visits with Hitler for a suicide attack on the Fuhrer. Olga was kept oblivious of the plan, which was aborted by an order from Joseph Stalin, who became paranoid about the possibility of Germany's alliance with Britain if Hitler was killed. Interestingly, Stalin and Hitler were both amateur film directors in the 1920s, but as dictators they now directed the course of history.
Olga was invited by Josef Goebbels to the official reception in Berlin in July of 1941, only a month after the Nazis invaded Russia and Luftwaffe bombings caused massive devastation to Russian cities. Goebbels announced the planned occupation of Moscow.
She was being investigated by the SS on orders from SS leader Heinrich Himmler. She was constantly under surveillance by both Nazi and Soviet agents in her Berlin home. As the war progressed and conditions got progressively worse for the Nazi regime, party bosses became increasingly paranoid. Himmler was planning to arrest her in January of 1945. One early morning she was informed of Himmler's move. She immediately called him directly with a request for a favor--to let her finish her morning cup of coffee comfortably. When SS commandos surrounded her home Himmler opened her door and was met by an angry Adolf Hitler, who in no uncertain terms informed Himmler that he had made a mistake.
Olga was a beautiful pawn in a dangerous game between the two most destructive powers in the Second World War. She survived through acting, cheating, lying and disguise. She protected her daughter Ada from Nazi anti-Semitism by hiding the fact that her ex-husband, Michael Chekhov, was Jewish. Her brother Lev Knipper was held in a Nazi concentration camp and managed to survive because of his perfect German (and probably with her help). During the savage battle for Berlin just before the war's end, Olga hid in a bomb shelter and was eventually taken prisoner by the Red Army. She was flown to Moscow in April of 1945, for debriefing at the offices of Soviet secret police officials Viktor Abakumov and Lavrenti Beria. She discreetly attended the Moscow Art Theatre performance of "The Cherry Orchard" starring her aunt Olga Knipper-Chekhova in May of 1945. They were not allowed to talk and her aunt Olga fainted backstage.
After two months of interrogations in Moscow, on June 26, 1945, Olga was flown back to Berlin, where she was assisted by the Soviet Army. She was given money and moved in to a Soviet-supervised house on Spree Strasse in the Soviet sector of East Berlin. Several articles in the French and British presses stated that she was a clandestine agent and secretly decorated by the Soviet government. She praised the Russian victory over the Nazis in a private letter to her aunt Olga Knipper-Chekhova. Meanwhile, the film she made in Hollywood turned out to be a flop in the US market, mainly because of her heavy Russian accent.
She continued a film career in Europe and ran her own film production company, Venus-Film Olga Tschechowa. In 1950 she moved to Munich and starred in several films. In 1955 she used her star power to launch a successful cosmetics company, "Olga Tscheschowa Kosmetik Geselschaft." Her remarkable acting career, spanning almost 60 years, ended in 1978, with a small film role as a grandmother.
Her personal file was temporarily available for viewing at the KGB archives in Moscow. One report on her was prepared and signed by the notoriously brutal KGB chief Viktor S. Abakumov. On that report a handwritten question was left by a reader in Kremlin: "What do you suggest to be done with Ms. Chekhova?", the handwriting was by Joseph Stalin. Stalin was quoted as having said, "The actress Olga Chekhova will be very useful in the post-war years", and she probably was. One of her films was titled Der Mann, der zweimal leben wollte (1950), or "The Man Who Wanted to Live Two Lives"--and that was exactly what she did.
In 1955, Olga was saddened by the death of Michael Chekhov. In 1966, Olga suffered from another tragedy: her only daughter Ada died in an airplane crash. Devastated by the painful loss, Olga suffered from bouts of depression and turned to alcohol, but she survived thanks to her strong will and lust for life. She lived for another fifteen years, played a few more roles in the movies, and saw her great-grandchildren grow. Moments before she died, sensing the end was near, she ordered a glass of champagne from her granddaughter Vera Tschechowa. That was March 9, 1980, in Munich, Germany.
Her last words were, "Life is beautiful!"- Director
- Writer
- Editor
Creator of the "distance montage," Artavazd Peleshian, one of the key Soviet documentary makers, removed the boundaries of feature and documentary films, editing both sequences as a real poetical unity. His "distance montage" was a new step in the development of film editing.
Even his student works [The Earth of the People (1966) and the Beginning (1967)] shot at VGIK, the oldest film school in Moscow, were awarded numerous prizes and he gained recognition among filmmakers. In 1975, he petitioned the Soviet authorities to allow the blacklisted cinematographer Mikhail Vartanov to film his ambitious next project and together they created the masterpiece Four Seasons (1975). It was Pelechian's first film without any archive footage, thanks to Vartanov's exquisite black and white cinematography.
Alongside his very successful solo career, Peleshian was invited to direct archive footage by such masters as Lev Kulidzhanov for Zvyozdnaya minuta (1973) and Andrey Konchalovskiy for Siberiade (1979). Mikhail Vartanov directed Osennyaya pastoral (1971) from Peleshian's screenplay.
Artavazd Peleshian is the author of a range of theoretical works, including his 1988 book "Moyo kino" ("My Cinema"). Some of the most important works of Armenia's documentary cinema include Sergei Parajanov's Hakob Hovnatanyan (1967), Mikhail Vartanov's Parajanov: The Last Spring (1992) and Artavazd Peleshian's Four Seasons (1975).- Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Executive
Jivan is an Armenian film director and a Berlinale Talents 2020. Jivan was born in Gyumri and raised in Artsakh. Jivan is based in the capital city of Yerevan, Armenia. Jivan grew up during one of the most violent conflicts in the caucuses and understands well the brutal consequences of war. And although his own childhood was stripped of playful mischief and was instead laden with responsibility to protect family and friends, Jivan did not abandon his dream and passion for filmmaking. Jivan's lifelong dream of storytelling, of chronicling history, and putting Artsakh on the world map has been realized through the art of filmmaking. Jivan has created well over twenty documentaries, short films, and three feature films, Tevanik, The Last Inhabitant, and Gate to Heaven. Jivan's first feature film, "Tevanik", has been recognized in over twenty international film festivals claiming over twenty awards including Best Feature Film. Jivan's second feature film "The Last Inhabitant" was screened at A class international film festivals including Shanghai and Venice and was considered for the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Score in the 73rd Golden Globe Awards; it won Best Feature Film and Best Actor Award at the Scandinavian International Film Festival in Helsinki, Finland. Lastly, the film was licensed by HBO Eastern Europe. Jivan's third film project, "Gate to Heaven" is making its round in the festival market. Jivan continues to thrive to tell stories about his hometown, and is in the development stage of his fourth feature film which is earmarked for production in 2021.
Jivan studied at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography in the faculty of Feature Films from five years. Jivan pursued his career and became the director of the TV programs. Jivan was quickly promoted to director of films and TV programs at Yerkir Media TV company, a very reputable TV station in Armenia. Jivan's accomplishments as a director led him to become chief director at Yerkir Media in 2009 for the next five years. In 2014, Jivan co-founded Fish eye Art Cultural Foundation and has served as the director of the foundation since its inception.- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Aik Karapetian was born on 10 July 1983 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He is a director and writer, known for The Man in the Orange Jacket (2014), Bezkaunigie (2023) and Riebums (2007).- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Edmond Keosayan was born on 9 October 1936 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a director and writer, known for Neulovimye mstiteli (1967), Novye priklyucheniya neulovimykh (1968) and The Men (1973). He died on 21 April 1994 in Moscow, Russia.- Writer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
George Gurdjieff was born in Gyumri (formerly called Alexandropol) in Armenia. His father Ivan was Greek and his mother Yeva was Armenian. He died in Paris on 29 October 1949.
He taught that man lives his life in a state of sleep but that it is possible to wake up and serve our purpose as human beings. The practice of his teaching which he described as "esoteric Christianity" is based upon knowledge which he acquired from visiting various monasteries during his travels.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Albert Mkrtchyan was born on 27 February 1937 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a director and writer, known for Tango of Our Childhood (1985), Hin oreri yerge (1982) and Dykhanie (1989). He died on 28 February 2018.- Director
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Lev Saakov was born on 30 November 1909 in Alexandropol, Erivan Governorate, Russian Empire [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a director and writer, known for Tri vremeni goda (1966), Vesna na Odere (1968) and Reportazh s linii ognya (1985). He died on 9 March 1988 in Moscow, USSR.- Writer
- Director
- Cinematographer
Levon Minasian was born on 7 July 1970 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He is a writer and director, known for Le piano (2011), Bravo Virtuoso (2016) and À l'aube du printemps (1997).- Ashot Nersisyan was born on 14 October 1904 in Aleksandropol, Caucasus Viceroyalty, Russian Empire [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was an actor, known for Romeo, moy sosed (1964), Paytyun kesgisherits heto (1969) and Sirtn e yergum (1957). He died on 21 May 1984 in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Armenia].
- Ara Abrahamian was born on 27 July 1975 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR [now Gyumri, Armenia].
- Artashes Gedikyan was born on 18 May 1934 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was an actor, known for Odnoselchane (1974), Hin oreri yerge (1982) and Avtomeqenan taniqi vra (1981). He died on 1 April 1995 in Gyumri, Armenia.
- Composer
- Music Department
A. Tigranyan was born on 26 December 1879 in Alexandropol, Erivan Governorate, Russian Empire [now Gyumri, Armenia]. A. was a composer, known for Armyanskiy kontsert (1954), Haykakan kinohamerg (1941) and Anush (1983). A. died on 10 February 1950 in Tbilisi, USSR [now Republic of Georgia].- Vladimir Kocharyan was born on 16 March 1950 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was an actor, known for Siramargi tchiche (1983), Varatz lapter (1983) and Trinadtsatyy apostol (1988). He died on 10 June 1989 in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, USSR.
- Cinematographer
- Writer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Albert Yavuryan was born on 26 August 1935 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a cinematographer and writer, known for Ashik Kerib (1988), Barev, yes em (1966) and Kamoyi verjin skhranqe (1974). He died on 3 November 2007 in Yerevan, Armenia.- Actor
- Talent Agent
Guzh Manukyan graduated from the Acting Department of Yerevan Fine Arts and Theatre Institute. Acted at Kapan Drama Theatre, then at Yerevan Theatre for Young Audience, before joining the Yerevan Drama Theatre in 1967 where he has acted since then.- Vladimir Abajyan was born in 1927 in Gyumri, Armenia. He was an actor, known for Lalvari vorskane (1967), Huso astgh (1978) and Arahet (2005). He died on 15 January 2013.
- Production Designer
- Art Director
- Actor
Grachya Mekinyan was born on 5 June 1923 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a production designer and art director, known for Dauriya (1972), Sirtn e yergum (1957) and Starye steny (1974). He died in January 1986.- Seda Tutkhalyan was born on 15 July 1999 in Gyumri, Armenia.
- Sergey Shatiryan was born on 2 April 1907 in Aleksandropol, Caucasus Viceroyalty, Russian Empire [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a composer, known for Doroga k zvezdam (1957) and The Secret of Substance (1956). He died on 18 October 1958 in Leningrad, USSR [now Saint Petersburg, Russia].
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Gegham Harutyunyan was born on 28 December 1905 in Alexandropol, Erivan Governorate, Russian Empire [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was an actor and assistant director, known for Urvakannere heranum en lernerits (1955), Tchanaparh depi krkes (1963) and Msyo Zhake yev urishner (1966). He died on 19 October 1988 in Yerevan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Armenia].- Levon Tukhikyan was born in 1931 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was an actor, known for Inchu e aghmkum gete (1959), Nvagakhmbi tghanere (1960) and Nra yerevakayutyune (1959). He died on 9 June 2009.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Levon Isahakyan was born on 15 April 1908 in Alexandropol, Erivan Governorate, Russian Empire [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a director and actor, known for Native Land (1945), Khndutyan yerkir (1940) and Tchanaparh depi krkes (1963). He died on 3 March 2010.- Manvel Gamburyan was born on 8 May 1981 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia].
- Cinematographer
- Camera and Electrical Department
Genrikh Marandzhyan was born on 19 July 1926 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. He was a cinematographer, known for Den schastya (1964), A Big Family (1954) and Rabochiy posyolok (1966). He died on 13 March 2011 in St. Petersburg, Russia.- Director
- Writer
Guénrikh Markarian was born on 17 September 1925 in Leninakan, Armenian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Gyumri, Armenia]. Guénrikh is a director and writer, known for Poprannii obet (1965) and Goluboy lev (1979).