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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Mikhail Vartanov<br>Михаил Вартанов<br>Միքայել Վարդանով
| name = Mikhail Vartanov
| native_name =Михаил Вартанов<br>Միքայել Վարդանով
| image =
| image =
| caption = Mikhail Vartanov and [[Sergei Parajanov]].
| caption = Mikhail Vartanov and [[Sergei Parajanov]].
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1937|2|21}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1937|2|21}}
| birth_place = [[Chechen-Ingush Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Chechen-Ingush ASSR]], [[Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic|RSFSR]], [[Soviet Union|USSR]] (now [[Russia|Russian Federation]])
| birth_place = [[Russian SFSR]], Soviet Union
| notable_works = ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]''
| notable_works = ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]''
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2009|12|31|1937|2|21}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2009|12|29|1937|2|21}}
| death_place = [[Hollywood]], USA
| death_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S
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| othername =
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|
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| occupation = [[Film director|Director]], [[cinematographer]], [[screenwriter]], [[art critic]]
|
| othername =
| yearsactive =
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| spouse =
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| occupation = [[Film director|Director]], [[cinematographer]], [[screenwriter]], [[art critic]]
| yearsactive =
| partner =
| spouse =
| children =
| partner =
| parents =
| children =
| website = https://www.parajanov.com
| parents =
| awards =
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| influences =
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| influenced =
| website = http://institute.parajanov.com{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
| awards =
}}
}}


'''Mikhail Vartanov''' ({{langx|ru|Михаил Вартанов|links=no}}, {{langx|hy|Միքայել Վարդանով|links=no}}, February 21, 1937 – December 29, 2009) was a Soviet filmmaker and cinematographer who made significant contribution to world cinema with the documentary films ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]'' and ''Seasons''.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/francis-ford-coppola-system-of-down-parajanov-vartanov-institute-833184 Francis Ford Coppola on Mikhail Vartanov]</ref><ref>[https://www.idfa.nl/en/film/86eb0279-3732-407f-91c3-74f331eec6cc/seasons-of-the-year/ International Documentary Festival Amsterdam Top 10]</ref><ref>[https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sight-sound-magazine/greatest-docs British Film Institute Greatest Documentaries]</ref><ref>[https://www.parajanov.com/ Martin Scorsese on Vartanov]</ref>
'''Mikhail Vartanov''' ({{lang-ru| Михаил Вартанов|links=no}}, {{lang-hy|Միքայել Վարդանով|links=no}}, {{lang-fr|Mikhaïl Vartanov|links=no}} b. February 21, 1937, <!--Which city was he born in? IMDB says he was born in Chechnya.-->RSFSR, [[Soviet Union]], now Russian Federation, d. December 31, 2009, Hollywood, California) was a film director, cinematographer, documentarian, essayist, photographer and artist who developed a style of documentary filmmaking termed the “[[direction of undirected action]].”


His reputation as one of the most important cinematographers, documentarians and intellectuals of his generation was cemented by such influential documentary films as ''[[The Seasons of the Year]]'', ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]'', and a series of essays including ''[[The Unmailed Letters]]''.
He is considered an important cinematographer and documentarian of his generation, noted for artistic collaborations with [[Sergei Parajanov]] and such influential documentary films as ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]'', ''The Seasons'' (directed by [[Artavazd Peleshyan]]), ''The Color of Armenian Land'', and a series of essays including ''The Unmailed Letters''.


==Student years==
==Early career==
⚫
Vartanov's debut film, ''The Color of Armenian Land'', marked the beginning of his trademark style, afterwards dubbed as the "direction of undirected action." This documentary, featuring a stylized silent commentary by painter [[Martiros Saryan]], also featured Vartanov's friends, the dissident artists [[Minas Avetisyan]] and [[Sergei Parajanov]]. The film was censored in the Soviet Union; leading up to Avetisyan's assassination and Parajanov's imprisonment shortly after.
Mikhail Vartanov dedicated his life to defending and supporting his close friend, the imprisoned genius [[Sergei Parajanov]], whose talent he recognized in 1964, after watching at Moscow’s film school [[VGIK]] the landmark motion picture ''[[Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors]]'' and the test footage of the unfinished ''Kiev Frescoes''.


==Friendship with Sergei Parajanov==
==Friendship with Sergei Parajanov and the blacklist==
Mikhail Vartanov had a close relationship with imprisoned director [[Sergei Parajanov]]. He was first acquainted with Parajanov's work in 1964, having watched the latter's film ''[[Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors]]'' and the test footage of the unfinished ''Kiev Frescoes'' as a student at Moscow’s [[Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography]]. Their lifelong friendship began after they met for the first time in 1967, in [[Armenia]], and discussed the screenplay of ''[[The Color of Pomegranates]]'' (also known as ''Sayat Nova'').
Mikhail Vartanov met Sergei Parajanov in 1967 in [[Armenia]] and shared his thoughts about the screenplay of the masterpiece ''[[The Color of Pomegranates]]'' (Sayat Nova). Parajanov was impressed and they became close friends until the end.

⚫
==Early career==
⚫
Vartanov’s debut film, ''[[The Color of Armenian Land]]'', marked the beginning of his trademark style, the “direction of undirected action.” This documentary, a silent commentary of gestures of painter [[Martiros Saryan]], also featured Vartanov’s friends, the dissident artists [[Minas Avetisyan]] and [[Sergei Parajanov]], for which the film was censored and suppressed; Avetisyan was assassinated and Parajanov was imprisoned shortly after.


⚫
Vartanov's next film ''Autumn Pastoral''—written by [[Artavazd Peleshyan]] and scored by composer [[Tigran Mansurian]]—was shelved. After Sergei Parajanov was arrested in Kiev in 1973, Vartanov immediately protested to the Prosecutor General of [[Ukraine]]. The recently declassified document proved that it was that letter in support of Parajanov that prompted the intensified harassment that Vartanov endured, and his subsequent firing from the [[Armenfilm]] Studios 4 months after Paradjanov's imprisonment. In a letter from prison, Parajanov wrote to Vartanov: "You and your purity are colliding with circumstances and predators… That's life."<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/vartanov.html Letters of Sergei Parajanov to Mikhail Vartanov<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
==Blacklist==
⚫
His next film ''[[The Autumn Pastoral]]''—written by [[Artavazd Peleshian]] and scored by composer [[Tigran Mansurian]]—was shelved. After [[Sergei Parajanov]] was arrested in Kiev in 1973, Mikhail Vartanov immediately protested to the Prosecutor General of [[Ukraine]]. The recently declassified document proved that it was that letter in support of Parajanov that prompted the intensified harassment that Vartanov endured, and his subsequent firing from the [[Armenfilm Studios]] (4 months after Paradjanov’s imprisonment).


==Cinematographer==
==Cinematographer==
[[Artavazd Peleshian]] and [[Gennadi Melkonian]] passionately petitioned the Russian and Armenian authorities to work with Vartanov, who was blacklisted and unemployed, and he was able to work as a [[cinematographer]] on two films that became classics: ''[[The Seasons of the Year]]'' (1975) and ''[[The Mulberry Tree]]'' (1979).
Peleshyan and Gennadi Melkonian petitioned the Soviet Russian and Armenian authorities to work with Vartanov, who was by this time blacklisted and unemployed, and he was eventually allowed to participate as a [[cinematographer]] in two [[Essay#Film|essay films]]: ''[[Seasons of the Year|The Seasons]]'' (also translated as ''The Seasons of the Year'', 1975) and ''The Mulberry Tree'' (1979).


==Essayist==
==Essayist==
After a 9-year absence from directing, Vartanov was asked to save a troubled project, ''The Roots'' (1983) which he later wrote was the best film made in Armenia that year. He survived by teaching art, cinema and photography at the university, and publishing his writings. They appeared in several languages, including French, in ''[[Cahiers du cinéma]]''.
After a 9-year absence from directing, Vartanov was asked to save a troubled project, ''The Roots'' (1983) which he later wrote was "the best film made in Armenia that year." During this period he also worked as a university professor of cinema and photography, while publishing his writings. They appeared in several languages, including French, in ''[[Cahiers du cinéma]]''.


⚫
==Later career and death==
==Suppression==
⚫
For over 20 years, Vartanov's films had been largely suppressed, unmentioned by press, or blocked from submission to foreign film festivals. In a letter to the imprisoned Parajanov, Vartanov wrote, quoting his favorite poet [[Boris Pasternak]]: "the time will come and the power of meanness and malice would be overcome by the spirit of kindness."<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/vartanov.html Letters of Mikhail Vartanov to Sergei Parajanov<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Parajanov responded to Vartanov: "Dear Misha, I received your amazing letter... Never have you been more accurate in evaluating the world and expressing yourself...".<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/vartanov.html Letters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
[[Sergei Parajanov]], in a letter from prison, wrote to Mikhail Vartanov: “You and your purity are colliding with circumstances and predators… That’s life”.<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/vartanov.html Letters of Sergei Parajanov to Mikhail Vartanov<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Indeed, many open and secret suppressors of Parajanov, especially the unschooled and the mediocrity, later focused on Vartanov, having recognized the opportunity to advance their personal interests and careers by attacking the free thinkers and marginalizing them. For over 20 years, the films of Mikhail Vartanov had been suppressed, unmentioned by press, or blocked from submission to foreign film festivals, and remain today in the archives, under the control of his former suppressors and their unsuspecting or indifferent sympathizers.


Mikhail Vartanov's last documentary trilogy consisted of ''The Color of Armenian Land'' (1969), ''Minas: A Requiem'' (1989), and the influential film ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]'' (1992).
==Later career==

⚫
In a letter to the imprisoned Parajanov, Vartanov wrote, quoting his favorite poet [[Boris Pasternak]]: “the time will come and the power of meanness and malice would be overcome by the spirit of kindness".<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/vartanov.html Letters of Mikhail Vartanov to Sergei Parajanov<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Parajanov responded to Vartanov: "Dear Misha, I received your amazing letter... Never have you been more accurate in evaluating the world and expressing yourself...".<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/vartanov.html Letters<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Mikhail Vartanov’s coda was the documentary trilogy ''[[Erased Faces]]'' (1987), ''[[Minas: A Requiem]]'' (1989), and the influential masterwork ''[[Parajanov: The Last Spring]]'' (1992), made in a war-torn, blockaded Armenia, during the one-hour daily limits of electricity. It reaffirmed his reputation of a master.
Vartanov died in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] on December 29, 2009.

⚫
==Legacy==

⚫
[[Parajanov-Vartanov Institute]] was established in Hollywood in 2010 to study, preserve and promote the artistic legacies of Sergei Parajanov and Mikhail Vartanov.<ref>[https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20141022052353/http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html Parajanov-Vartanov Institute]</ref>


==Quotes==
==Quotes==
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"Probably, besides the film language suggested by Griffith and Eisenstein, the world cinema has not discovered anything revolutionarily new until the 'Color of Pomegranates,' not counting the generally unaccepted language of the 'Andalusian Dog' by Bunuel."<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/main.html Mikhail Vartanov on Sergei Parajanov<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
"Probably, besides the film language suggested by Griffith and Eisenstein, the world cinema has not discovered anything revolutionarily new until the 'Color of Pomegranates,' not counting the generally unaccepted language of the 'Andalusian Dog' by Bunuel."<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/main.html Mikhail Vartanov on Sergei Parajanov<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


==Quotes about him==
==Quotes about Vartanov==
*''Vartanov's film Parajanov: The Last Spring…exemplifies the power of art over any limitations." ([[Francis Ford Coppola]])<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html Francis Ford Coppola on Mikhail Vartanov]</ref><ref>[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/francis-ford-coppola-system-of-down-parajanov-vartanov-institute-833184 Hollywood Reporter Mikhail Vartanov]</ref>
*''Vartanov's film Parajanov: The Last Spring [...] exemplifies the power of art over any limitations." ([[Francis Ford Coppola]])<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html Francis Ford Coppola on Mikhail Vartanov] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424145201/http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html |date=2015-04-24 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/francis-ford-coppola-system-of-down-parajanov-vartanov-institute-833184 Hollywood Reporter Mikhail Vartanov]</ref>
*"Vartanov...brother and friend in arts and in soil... dear, beloved, rare and wonderful. Perhaps, you're the only friend, who compels me to live... You possess everything an artist needs -- mind, kindness, principles, freedom. Create... That's your mission." ([[Sergei Parajanov]], 1974)
*"Vartanov [...] Brother and friend in arts and in soil... Dear, beloved, rare and wonderful. Perhaps, you're the only friend, who compels me to live... You possess everything an artist needs -- mind, kindness, principles, freedom. Create... That's your mission." ([[Sergei Parajanov]], 1974)
*"Vartanov - the Eyemoman..." ([[William Saroyan]], 1978)<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/saroyan.html Saroyan nicknamed Vartanov the Eyemoman after the early 20th century movie camera Eyemo]</ref>
*"Vartanov's fascinating document Parajanov: The Last Spring...is an important and alluring film for all those who love the form of cinema..." [[Jim Jarmusch]]<ref>[https://www.parajanov.com Jim Jarmusch on Vartanov]</ref>
*"Vartanov - the Eyemoman [...]" ([[William Saroyan]], 1978)<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/saroyan.html Saroyan nicknamed Vartanov the Eyemoman after the early 20th century movie camera Eyemo]</ref>
*"My dear friend...if you like the screenplay (Desert), together we could make a masterpiece..." (Artavazd Peleshian, 1980s)
*"My dear friend [...] If you like the screenplay (''Desert''), together we could make a masterpiece [...]" (Artavazd Peleshyan, 1980s)
*"On January 9, came Vartanov... Parajanov's most devoted man...an amazing man...gave an amazing speech..." ([[Gayane Khachatryan]], 1990)
*"On January 9, came Vartanov [...] Parajanov's most devoted man [...] an amazing man [...] gave an amazing speech [...]" (Gayane Khachatryan, 1990)
*"Vartanov's film...excited and filled me with strength..." ([[Tonino Guerra]], 1993)
*"Vartanov was an amazing intellectual, perhaps one of the last..." (Yuri Mechitov, 2010)
*"Vartanov's film [...] Excited and filled me with strength [...]" ([[Tonino Guerra]], 1993)
*"Misha Vartanov...one of the most principled and righteous men I have ever met..." (Roman Balayan, 2010)
*"Vartanov was an amazing intellectual, perhaps one of the last [...]" (Yuri Mechitov, 2010)
*"Misha Vartanov [...] One of the most principled and righteous men I have ever met [...]" (Roman Balayan, 2010)
*"We have to ensure that the work of seminal artists like Mikhail Vartanov is preserved, promoted and accessible to the widest possible audience. His films, made against all odds and under the harshest conditions, are crucial to the important heritage of world cinema." ([[Agnieszka Holland]])<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html Agnieszka Holland on Mikhail Vartanov]</ref>
*"We have to ensure that the work of seminal artists like Mikhail Vartanov is preserved, promoted and accessible to the widest possible audience. His films, made against all odds and under the harshest conditions, are crucial to the important heritage of world cinema." ([[Agnieszka Holland]])<ref>[http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html Agnieszka Holland on Mikhail Vartanov] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424145201/http://www.parajanov.com/institute.html |date=2015-04-24 }}</ref>
*"Vartanov made a wonderful film Parajanov: The Last Spring..." ([[Martin Scorsese]])
*"Vartanov made a wonderful film Parajanov: The Last Spring [...]" ([[Martin Scorsese]])


==Awards and Honors==
==Awards and honors==
* Golden Antelope Award (for diploma film, ''The Monologue of the Mask'') Dakar, 1965.
* Golden Antelope Award (for diploma film, ''The Monologue of the Mask'') Dakar, 1965.
* Cinematographer of the Year (for ''The Song of Eternity''), USSR Film Festival, 1973
* Cinematographer of the Year (for ''The Song of Eternity''), USSR Film Festival, 1973
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* Golden Palm Award (for ''Parajanov: The Last Spring''), Beverly Hills Film Festival, 2003
* Golden Palm Award (for ''Parajanov: The Last Spring''), Beverly Hills Film Festival, 2003
* A film retrospective and an art exhibition, Busan International Film Festival, Korea, 2012
* A film retrospective and an art exhibition, Busan International Film Festival, Korea, 2012
* A film retrospective at the Copenhagen Cinematheque, Denmark, 2020 <ref>[https://www.dfi.dk/cinemateket/biograf/filmserier/serie/sergej-paradjanov-mikhail-vartanov Danish Film Institute]</ref><ref>[https://www.parajanov.com/retrospectives Parajanov-Vartanov Institute]</ref>

* A film retrospective at the Oslo Cinematheque, Norway, 2024
⚫
==Legacy==

⚫
[[Parajanov-Vartanov Institute]] was established in Hollywood in 2010 to study, preserve and promote the artistic legacies of Sergei Parajanov and Mikhail Vartanov.<ref>[http://institute.parajanov.com Parajanov-Vartanov Institute]{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
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| 1969
| 1969
| ''The Color of Armenian Land''
| ''The Color of Armenian Land''
| {{ru icon}} Цвет Армянской Земли
| {{in lang|ru}} Цвет Армянской Земли
| ''Tsvet armyanskoy zemli''
| ''Tsvet armyanskoy zemli''
| Banned debut film. Behind the scenes of Sergei Paradjanov's Color of Pomegrantes.
| Banned debut film. Behind the scenes of Sergei Paradjanov's Color of Pomegrantes. Documentary trilogy, part I.
|-style=background:#efefef;
|-style=background:#efefef;
| 1971
| 1971
| ''Autumn Pastoral''
| ''Autumn Pastoral''
| {{ru icon}} Осенчяя пастораль
| {{in lang|ru}} Осенчяя пастораль
| ''Osenn'yaya pastoral'''
| ''Osenn'yaya pastoral'''
| Written by Artavazd Peleshian. Shelved.
| Written by Artavazd Peleshian. Shelved.
Line 104: Line 101:
| 1972
| 1972
| ''And So Every Day''
| ''And So Every Day''
| {{ru icon}} И так каждый день
| {{in lang|ru}} И так каждый день
| ''I tak kazhdiy dyen'''
| ''I tak kazhdiy dyen'''
| Scored by Tigran Mansurian. Vartanov narrates for the first time. Black & white. Shelved.
| Scored by Tigran Mansurian. Vartanov narrates for the first time. Black & white. Shelved.
Line 110: Line 107:
| 1974
| 1974
| ''Kadjaran''
| ''Kadjaran''
| {{ru icon}} Каджаран
| {{in lang|ru}} Каджаран
| ''Kajaran'''
| ''Kajaran'''
| Unfinished. Vartanov fired.
| Unfinished. Vartanov fired.
|-
|-
| 1975 (cinematograper)
| 1975 (cinematographer)
| ''Seasons of the Year''
| ''Seasons of the Year''
| {{ru icon}} Bремена Года
| {{in lang|ru}} Bремена Года
| ''Vremena Goda'''
| ''Vremena Goda'''
| Directed by Artavazd Peleshian, lensed by Vartanov.
| Directed by Artavazd Peleshian, lensed by Vartanov.
Line 122: Line 119:
| 1979 (cinematographer)
| 1979 (cinematographer)
| ''The Mulberry Tree''
| ''The Mulberry Tree''
| {{ru icon}} Шелковица
| {{in lang|ru}} Шелковица
| ''Shelkovitsa'''
| ''Shelkovitsa'''
| Directed by Gennadi Melkonian, lensed by Vartanov.
| Directed by Gennadi Melkonian, lensed by Vartanov.
Line 128: Line 125:
| 1984
| 1984
| ''Roots''
| ''Roots''
| {{ru icon}} Корни
| {{in lang|ru}} Корни
| ''Korni'''
| ''Korni'''
| First directing work in 10 years. A project deemed unfilmable by all filmmakers at Armenfilm (Armenia)
| First directing work in 10 years. A project deemed unfilmable by all filmmakers at Armenfilm (Armenia)
Line 134: Line 131:
| 1987
| 1987
| ''Erased Faces''
| ''Erased Faces''
| {{hy icon}} Ջնջվաց դեմքեր
| {{in lang|hy}} Ջնջվաց դեմքեր
| ''Jenjevatz demker'''
| ''Jenjevatz demker'''
⚫
|
| Documentary trilogy, part I.
|-
|-
| 1989
| 1989
| ''Minas: A Requiem''
| ''Minas: A Requiem''
| {{hy icon}} Մինաս. ռեկվիէմ
| {{in lang|hy}} Մինաս. ռեկվիէմ
| ''Minas. rekviem'''
| ''Minas. rekviem'''
| Documentary trilogy, part II
| Documentary trilogy, part II
Line 146: Line 143:
| 1992
| 1992
| ''Paradjanov: The Last Spring''
| ''Paradjanov: The Last Spring''
| {{en icon}} Parajanov: The Confession
| {{in lang|en}} Parajanov: The Confession
|
|
| Documentary trilogy, part III
| Documentary trilogy, part III
Line 155: Line 152:
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


⚫
==Selected bibliography==
==Bibliography==

⚫
Selected bibliography.


===English language sources===
===English language sources===


*Dixon, Wheeler & Foster, Gwendolyn. "A Short History of Film." New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2008. ISBN 9780813542690
*Dixon, Wheeler & Foster, Gwendolyn. "A Short History of Film." New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2008. {{ISBN|9780813542690}}
*Rollberg, Peter. "Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema." Scarecrow Press, 2008. ISBN 9780810860728
*Rollberg, Peter. "Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema." Scarecrow Press, 2008. {{ISBN|9780810860728}}
*Schneider, Steven Jay. "501 Movie Directors." London: Hachette/Cassell, 2007. ISBN 9781844035731
*Schneider, Steven Jay. "501 Movie Directors." London: Hachette/Cassell, 2007. {{ISBN|9781844035731}}
*"Francis Ford Coppola Recognizes…" Hollywood Reporter (20 October 2015)
*"Francis Ford Coppola Recognizes…" Hollywood Reporter (20 October 2015)
*Thomas, Kevin. "Intoxicating spirit." "Los Angeles Times" (1 January 2004)
*Thomas, Kevin. "Intoxicating spirit." "Los Angeles Times" (1 January 2004)
Line 171: Line 166:


* Abramov, G. "Ancient art, alive forever" Pravda newspaper, Moscow, 20 April 1966
* Abramov, G. "Ancient art, alive forever" Pravda newspaper, Moscow, 20 April 1966
* "Il Cinema Delle Repubbliche Transcaucasiche Sovietiche." Venice, Italy: Marsilio Editori, 1986. (Italian language) ISBN 8831748947
* "Il Cinema Delle Repubbliche Transcaucasiche Sovietiche." Venice, Italy: Marsilio Editori, 1986. (Italian language) {{ISBN|8831748947}}
* "Les Cimes du Monde." Cahiers du Cinéma" no. 381 (1986), 42-47 (French language) {{ISSN|0757-8075}}
* "Les Cimes du Monde." Cahiers du Cinéma" no. 381 (1986), 42-47 (French language) {{ISSN|0757-8075}}
* Krukova, A. "Russian Oscars were awarded in Moscow" Independent Newspaper, Moscow, 21 December 1992
* Krukova, A. "Russian Oscars were awarded in Moscow" Independent Newspaper, Moscow, 21 December 1992
Line 180: Line 175:
* Egiazarian, R. "Mishel Vartanov from former USSR" Novoye Vremya newspaper, Yerevan, 4 June 2005
* Egiazarian, R. "Mishel Vartanov from former USSR" Novoye Vremya newspaper, Yerevan, 4 June 2005
* "Director Martin Scorsese accepts 2014 Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award" California Courier, Los Angeles, p1, 13 October 2014
* "Director Martin Scorsese accepts 2014 Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award" California Courier, Los Angeles, p1, 13 October 2014
* Schneider, Steven Jay. "501 Directores de Cine." Barcelona, Spain: Grijalbo, 2008. (Spanish language) ISBN 9788425342646
* Schneider, Steven Jay. "501 Directores de Cine." Barcelona, Spain: Grijalbo, 2008. (Spanish language) {{ISBN|9788425342646}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.parajanov.com '''Mikhail Vartanov''' at Parajanov.com ]
*[http://www.parajanov.com '''Mikhail Vartanov'''] Parajanov.com
*[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/francis-ford-coppola-system-of-down-parajanov-vartanov-institute-833184 Hollywood Reporter] Francis Ford Coppola on Vartanov
*[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/francis-ford-coppola-system-of-down-parajanov-vartanov-institute-833184 Hollywood Reporter] Francis Ford Coppola on Vartanov
*[https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/parajanov-the-last-spring-interview Oscars.org]
*[http://deadline.com/2016/10/dear-president-obama-to-the-ends-of-the-earth-doc-la-2016-film-festival-1201839346/ Deadline]
*[https://deadline.com/2016/10/dear-president-obama-to-the-ends-of-the-earth-doc-la-2016-film-festival-1201839346/ Deadline]
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1033410/ Mikhail Vartanov page] from Internet Movie Database
*{{IMDb name|1033410}}
*[http://www.navarra.es/home_es/Temas/Turismo+ocio+y+cultura/Actividades+culturales/Espectaculos/PuntodeVista/Edicion+2010/Proyecciones+y+eventos+especiales/Exposicion.htm Condestable Palace exhibition, Spain]
*[http://www.navarra.es/home_es/Temas/Turismo+ocio+y+cultura/Actividades+culturales/Espectaculos/PuntodeVista/Edicion+2010/Proyecciones+y+eventos+especiales/Exposicion.htm Condestable Palace exhibition, Spain]
*[http://variety.com/2011/film/news/jon-voight-honored-by-bevhills-film-fest-1118035142/ Variety]
*[https://variety.com/2011/film/news/jon-voight-honored-by-bevhills-film-fest-1118035142/ Variety]
*[http://www.idfa.nl/industry/tags/project.aspx?id=25e3d0f0-732a-4496-bc89-e799dc3c2e53 International Documentary Festival Amsterdam]
*[https://www.idfa.nl/en/film/86eb0279-3732-407f-91c3-74f331eec6cc/seasons-of-the-year/ IDFA] International Documentary Festival Amsterdam
*[http://sensesofcinema.com/2012/festival-reports/discovering-the-hub-of-asian-cinema-the-17th-busan-international-film-festival/ Busan International Film Festival]
*[http://sensesofcinema.com/2012/festival-reports/discovering-the-hub-of-asian-cinema-the-17th-busan-international-film-festival/ Busan International Film Festival]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObMBq-fayA4 Memories of an actress]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObMBq-fayA4 Memories of an actress]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdP5LBDek4k Memories of Marco Mueller]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdP5LBDek4k Memories of Marco Mueller]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No4MkX_JE-g Actress Topchyan on Parajanov and Vartanov]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=No4MkX_JE-g Actress Topchyan on Parajanov and Vartanov]
*[http://www.laweekly.com/film/son-of-anarchy-father-of-a-critic-a-tribute-to-jean-vigo-at-ucla-2169915 LA Weekly]
*[http://www.laweekly.com/film/son-of-anarchy-father-of-a-critic-a-tribute-to-jean-vigo-at-ucla-2169915 LA Weekly] 2011
*[https://www.laweekly.com/movie-pick-the-l-a-doc-film-festival/ LA Weekly] 2019
*[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beverly-hills-film-festival-opening-night-the-black-tulip-312894 Hollywood Reporter]
*[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/beverly-hills-film-festival-opening-night-the-black-tulip-312894 Hollywood Reporter]
*[http://www.screendaily.com/news/asia-pacific/busan-to-open-with-cold-war-close-with-television/5046406.article Screen International]
*[http://www.screendaily.com/news/asia-pacific/busan-to-open-with-cold-war-close-with-television/5046406.article Screen International]
*[http://www.fipresci.org/festival-reports/2012/busan FIPRESCI]
*[http://fipresci.org/festival/17th-busan-international-film-festival/ FIPRESCI]
*[https://www.youtube.com/parajanovtv#p/a/u/0/-hE1qjns098 Channel 1 Moscow - This is Cinema TV Show on Sergei Parajanov and Mikhail Vartanov]
*[https://www.youtube.com/parajanovtv#p/a/u/0/-hE1qjns098 Channel 1 Moscow - This is Cinema TV Show on Sergei Parajanov and Mikhail Vartanov]
*[http://www.facebook.com/paradjanov Facebook]
*[http://www.facebook.com/parajanov Facebook]
*[http://www.twitter.com/parajanov Twitter]
*[https://twitter.com/parajanov Twitter]
*[http://www.instagram.com/parajanov Instagram]
*[http://www.instagram.com/parajanov Instagram]


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[[Category:20th-century screenwriters]]

Latest revision as of 04:14, 2 November 2024

Mikhail Vartanov
Михаил Вартанов
Միքայել Վարդանով
Born(1937-02-21)February 21, 1937
Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
DiedDecember 29, 2009(2009-12-29) (aged 72)
Los Angeles, California, U.S
Occupation(s)Director, cinematographer, screenwriter, art critic
Notable workParajanov: The Last Spring
Websitehttps://www.parajanov.com

Mikhail Vartanov (Russian: Михаил Вартанов, Armenian: Միքայել Վարդանով, February 21, 1937 – December 29, 2009) was a Soviet filmmaker and cinematographer who made significant contribution to world cinema with the documentary films Parajanov: The Last Spring and Seasons.[1][2][3][4]

He is considered an important cinematographer and documentarian of his generation, noted for artistic collaborations with Sergei Parajanov and such influential documentary films as Parajanov: The Last Spring, The Seasons (directed by Artavazd Peleshyan), The Color of Armenian Land, and a series of essays including The Unmailed Letters.

Early career

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Vartanov's debut film, The Color of Armenian Land, marked the beginning of his trademark style, afterwards dubbed as the "direction of undirected action." This documentary, featuring a stylized silent commentary by painter Martiros Saryan, also featured Vartanov's friends, the dissident artists Minas Avetisyan and Sergei Parajanov. The film was censored in the Soviet Union; leading up to Avetisyan's assassination and Parajanov's imprisonment shortly after.

Friendship with Sergei Parajanov and the blacklist

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Mikhail Vartanov had a close relationship with imprisoned director Sergei Parajanov. He was first acquainted with Parajanov's work in 1964, having watched the latter's film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors and the test footage of the unfinished Kiev Frescoes as a student at Moscow’s Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. Their lifelong friendship began after they met for the first time in 1967, in Armenia, and discussed the screenplay of The Color of Pomegranates (also known as Sayat Nova).

Vartanov's next film Autumn Pastoral—written by Artavazd Peleshyan and scored by composer Tigran Mansurian—was shelved. After Sergei Parajanov was arrested in Kiev in 1973, Vartanov immediately protested to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The recently declassified document proved that it was that letter in support of Parajanov that prompted the intensified harassment that Vartanov endured, and his subsequent firing from the Armenfilm Studios 4 months after Paradjanov's imprisonment. In a letter from prison, Parajanov wrote to Vartanov: "You and your purity are colliding with circumstances and predators… That's life."[5]

Cinematographer

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Peleshyan and Gennadi Melkonian petitioned the Soviet Russian and Armenian authorities to work with Vartanov, who was by this time blacklisted and unemployed, and he was eventually allowed to participate as a cinematographer in two essay films: The Seasons (also translated as The Seasons of the Year, 1975) and The Mulberry Tree (1979).

Essayist

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After a 9-year absence from directing, Vartanov was asked to save a troubled project, The Roots (1983) which he later wrote was "the best film made in Armenia that year." During this period he also worked as a university professor of cinema and photography, while publishing his writings. They appeared in several languages, including French, in Cahiers du cinéma.

Later career and death

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For over 20 years, Vartanov's films had been largely suppressed, unmentioned by press, or blocked from submission to foreign film festivals. In a letter to the imprisoned Parajanov, Vartanov wrote, quoting his favorite poet Boris Pasternak: "the time will come and the power of meanness and malice would be overcome by the spirit of kindness."[6] Parajanov responded to Vartanov: "Dear Misha, I received your amazing letter... Never have you been more accurate in evaluating the world and expressing yourself...".[7]

Mikhail Vartanov's last documentary trilogy consisted of The Color of Armenian Land (1969), Minas: A Requiem (1989), and the influential film Parajanov: The Last Spring (1992).

Vartanov died in Hollywood on December 29, 2009.

Legacy

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Parajanov-Vartanov Institute was established in Hollywood in 2010 to study, preserve and promote the artistic legacies of Sergei Parajanov and Mikhail Vartanov.[8]

Quotes

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"In our land, the government manufactures the biography of the Artist. It honors and awards one, for nothing, and it dishonors and imprisons the other -- a wise government -- it desires to turn both into obedient slaves."[9]

"Probably, besides the film language suggested by Griffith and Eisenstein, the world cinema has not discovered anything revolutionarily new until the 'Color of Pomegranates,' not counting the generally unaccepted language of the 'Andalusian Dog' by Bunuel."[10]

Quotes about Vartanov

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  • Vartanov's film Parajanov: The Last Spring [...] exemplifies the power of art over any limitations." (Francis Ford Coppola)[11][12]
  • "Vartanov [...] Brother and friend in arts and in soil... Dear, beloved, rare and wonderful. Perhaps, you're the only friend, who compels me to live... You possess everything an artist needs -- mind, kindness, principles, freedom. Create... That's your mission." (Sergei Parajanov, 1974)
  • "Vartanov's fascinating document Parajanov: The Last Spring...is an important and alluring film for all those who love the form of cinema..." Jim Jarmusch[13]
  • "Vartanov - the Eyemoman [...]" (William Saroyan, 1978)[14]
  • "My dear friend [...] If you like the screenplay (Desert), together we could make a masterpiece [...]" (Artavazd Peleshyan, 1980s)
  • "On January 9, came Vartanov [...] Parajanov's most devoted man [...] an amazing man [...] gave an amazing speech [...]" (Gayane Khachatryan, 1990)
  • "Vartanov's film [...] Excited and filled me with strength [...]" (Tonino Guerra, 1993)
  • "Vartanov was an amazing intellectual, perhaps one of the last [...]" (Yuri Mechitov, 2010)
  • "Misha Vartanov [...] One of the most principled and righteous men I have ever met [...]" (Roman Balayan, 2010)
  • "We have to ensure that the work of seminal artists like Mikhail Vartanov is preserved, promoted and accessible to the widest possible audience. His films, made against all odds and under the harshest conditions, are crucial to the important heritage of world cinema." (Agnieszka Holland)[15]
  • "Vartanov made a wonderful film Parajanov: The Last Spring [...]" (Martin Scorsese)

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • Golden Antelope Award (for diploma film, The Monologue of the Mask) Dakar, 1965.
  • Cinematographer of the Year (for The Song of Eternity), USSR Film Festival, 1973
  • Russian Academy of Cinema Arts Award (for Parajanov: The Last Spring), Moscow, 1993
  • Golden Gate Award (for Parajanov: The Last Spring), San Francisco International Film Festival, 1995
  • Golden Palm Award (for Parajanov: The Last Spring), Beverly Hills Film Festival, 2003
  • A film retrospective and an art exhibition, Busan International Film Festival, Korea, 2012
  • A film retrospective at the Copenhagen Cinematheque, Denmark, 2020 [16][17]
  • A film retrospective at the Oslo Cinematheque, Norway, 2024

Filmography

[edit]
Year English title Original title Romanization Notes
1969 The Color of Armenian Land (in Russian) Цвет Армянской Земли Tsvet armyanskoy zemli Banned debut film. Behind the scenes of Sergei Paradjanov's Color of Pomegrantes. Documentary trilogy, part I.
1971 Autumn Pastoral (in Russian) Осенчяя пастораль Osenn'yaya pastoral' Written by Artavazd Peleshian. Shelved.
1972 And So Every Day (in Russian) И так каждый день I tak kazhdiy dyen' Scored by Tigran Mansurian. Vartanov narrates for the first time. Black & white. Shelved.
1974 Kadjaran (in Russian) Каджаран Kajaran' Unfinished. Vartanov fired.
1975 (cinematographer) Seasons of the Year (in Russian) Bремена Года Vremena Goda' Directed by Artavazd Peleshian, lensed by Vartanov.
1979 (cinematographer) The Mulberry Tree (in Russian) Шелковица Shelkovitsa' Directed by Gennadi Melkonian, lensed by Vartanov.
1984 Roots (in Russian) Корни Korni' First directing work in 10 years. A project deemed unfilmable by all filmmakers at Armenfilm (Armenia)
1987 Erased Faces (in Armenian) Ջնջվաց դեմքեր Jenjevatz demker'
1989 Minas: A Requiem (in Armenian) Մինաս. ռեկվիէմ Minas. rekviem' Documentary trilogy, part II
1992 Paradjanov: The Last Spring (in English) Parajanov: The Confession Documentary trilogy, part III

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Francis Ford Coppola on Mikhail Vartanov
  2. ^ International Documentary Festival Amsterdam Top 10
  3. ^ British Film Institute Greatest Documentaries
  4. ^ Martin Scorsese on Vartanov
  5. ^ Letters of Sergei Parajanov to Mikhail Vartanov
  6. ^ Letters of Mikhail Vartanov to Sergei Parajanov
  7. ^ Letters
  8. ^ Parajanov-Vartanov Institute
  9. ^ Mikhail Vartanov quotes on Parajanov.com
  10. ^ Mikhail Vartanov on Sergei Parajanov
  11. ^ Francis Ford Coppola on Mikhail Vartanov Archived 2015-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Hollywood Reporter Mikhail Vartanov
  13. ^ Jim Jarmusch on Vartanov
  14. ^ Saroyan nicknamed Vartanov the Eyemoman after the early 20th century movie camera Eyemo
  15. ^ Agnieszka Holland on Mikhail Vartanov Archived 2015-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Danish Film Institute
  17. ^ Parajanov-Vartanov Institute

Selected bibliography

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English language sources

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  • Dixon, Wheeler & Foster, Gwendolyn. "A Short History of Film." New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2008. ISBN 9780813542690
  • Rollberg, Peter. "Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema." Scarecrow Press, 2008. ISBN 9780810860728
  • Schneider, Steven Jay. "501 Movie Directors." London: Hachette/Cassell, 2007. ISBN 9781844035731
  • "Francis Ford Coppola Recognizes…" Hollywood Reporter (20 October 2015)
  • Thomas, Kevin. "Intoxicating spirit." "Los Angeles Times" (1 January 2004)
  • Kaplan, Ilyse. "Beverly Hills Film Festival." Variety, (7 April 2011)

Foreign language sources

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  • Abramov, G. "Ancient art, alive forever" Pravda newspaper, Moscow, 20 April 1966
  • "Il Cinema Delle Repubbliche Transcaucasiche Sovietiche." Venice, Italy: Marsilio Editori, 1986. (Italian language) ISBN 8831748947
  • "Les Cimes du Monde." Cahiers du Cinéma" no. 381 (1986), 42-47 (French language) ISSN 0757-8075
  • Krukova, A. "Russian Oscars were awarded in Moscow" Independent Newspaper, Moscow, 21 December 1992
  • Badasian, V. " "Approaching spirituality" Republic of Armenia newspaper, 25 June 1993
  • Perreault, Luc. "Paradjanov - The Last Spring" La Presse, a12, 14 Juin 1994 (French language)
  • Tremblay, Odile. "L'empire du pape du pop" Le Devoir, b8, 14 Juin 1994 (French language)
  • Stolina, G. "Larger than legends" Panorama newspaper, Hollywood, 14 January 2004
  • Egiazarian, R. "Mishel Vartanov from former USSR" Novoye Vremya newspaper, Yerevan, 4 June 2005
  • "Director Martin Scorsese accepts 2014 Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award" California Courier, Los Angeles, p1, 13 October 2014
  • Schneider, Steven Jay. "501 Directores de Cine." Barcelona, Spain: Grijalbo, 2008. (Spanish language) ISBN 9788425342646
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