Armenian cinema: past and present

Directors, actors and screenwriters of Armenian origin made a great contribution to the history of world cinema. Ruben Mamulyan, Serey Paradzhanov, Armen Dzhigarkhanyan, Frunzik Mkrtchyan, Keosayan dynasty, Henry Hovhannisyan, Henri Vernoy, Karen Shakhnazarov - and this is not a complete list.

Armenian cinema: origins and history of development

Last year, Armenian cinema turned 90 years old. His birthday is considered to be April 16, 1923. It was then the decree of the Council of People's Commissars of the Armenian SSR that a decision was taken to create the Armenian State Committee, which was headed by Daniel Dznuni and Amo Beknazaryan. The very first film, shot in 1925 on the Armenian film studio was "Namus" ("Honor"). The director of this silent film was Amo Beknazaryan. In 1926 the film was released to theaters of Yerevan and Moscow. So the Armenian cinema first hit the Russian screens. Only 10 years later, in 1935, the first sound film "Pepo" was shot based on the play of the famous playwright Gabriel Sundukyan, the director of the film was the same Amo Beknazaryan. At the same time, the Hollywood director of Armenian origin Ruben Mamulyan became the creator of the world's first full-length color film - Becky Sharp (Becky Sharp). The date of the release of this picture in the history of world cinematography was adopted for the birthday of color cinema. In the 30s-40s of the 20th century, several historical and patriotic paintings were shot at the "Armenfilm" film studio: "Zangezur", "David-Bek", etc. During the Patriotic War, the production of films on "Armenfilm" was suspended . Armenian cinema revived in the fifties, moreover, except for game pictures, the production of documentary films also began to develop. In these years, great popularity was won by the pictures of the life of the legendary revolutionary Kamo - "Personally known" and "Extraordinary commission." And in France at this time began to make its first steps in cinematography, one of the greatest directors of our time - Henri Verneuil, and in the early sixties at the Ukrainian film studio. Dovzhenko was born the star of the brilliant director Sergei Paradzhanov. In the 60s-70s historical pictures about the national liberation struggle of the Armenian people "Star of Hope" were shot, where the famous Armenian actor Armen Djigarkhanyan starred and the "Northern Rainbow". Then the musical films "Karine", "The Song of the First Love", "The Heart sings", etc. appeared on the screens. The comedies "Men" and "Bride from the North" were most popular. The Armenian cinema of the Soviet period was rich in paintings with a philosophical overtones, therefore it gained wide recognition not only in the Union, but also abroad.

Post-Soviet period of Armenian cinema

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenian cinema faced many difficulties, especially in terms of funding. The transition to private production lasted long enough. However, today, it seems, everything fell into place. There are a lot of talented directors in the country who create both play and documentary films. In addition, many talented directors from the diaspora come to their historical homeland and create joint films. The topic of the Armenian Genocide in 1915 is especially topical. "Hayrik" (Henri Vernay), "Ararat" (Atom Egoyan), "Aram" (Atom Egoyan) - these films were originally filmed in French with the participation of world cinema stars, but the Russian viewer could see them on the screen in Russian, And in Armenia - in Armenian. Cinema comedy is a genre that is most in demand in Armenian society today. Dozens of comedies are created each year, but along with them historical, adventure films, psychological dramas, etc. are also removed.

Armenian cinema novelties

"Incredible Adventures of an American in Armenia" (2012) - a comedy.

"If everything" (2012) is a drama.

"Poker.eyem" (2012) - a comedy.

"Going Horse" (2013) is an Armenian-Kazakh joint film-comedy.

"Tsasum" (2012) - a trailer, horror.

"Garegin Nzhdeh" (2013) is a historical drama.

"The Little General" (2013) is a comedy.