Otar Iosseliani

Otar Ioseliani
ოთარ იოსელიანი
Ioseliani in 1989
Born	(1934-02-02)2 February 1934 Tbilisi,Georgian SSR,Transcaucasian SFSR, Soviet Union
Died	17 December 2023(2023-12-17)(aged 89) Tbilisi,Georgia
Occupation	Film director
Years active	1958–2015

Otar Iosseliani(Georgian:ოთარ იოსელიანიotar ioseliani;2 February 1934 – 17 December 2023) was a Georgian film director, known for movies such asFalling Leaves,PastoraleandFavourites of the Moon.Iosseliani received a lifetime achievement honor – theCineMerit Awardat theMunich International Film Festivalin 2011 for his career accomplishments.

Early life

He was born in the Georgian capital city ofTbilisi,where he studied at theTbilisi State Conservatoireand graduated in 1952 with a diploma in composition, conducting and piano.

In 1953 he went to Moscow to study mathematics at theUniversity of Moscow,but two years into his studies he transitioned to theGerasimov Institute of Cinematography(VGIK) where his teachers included many early Soviet filmmakers such asAlexander Dovzhenko,Lev Kuleshov,Mikhail Romm,Grigori KozintsevandMikhail Chiaureli.

Film career

While studying at the VGIK, Iosseliani also began work as an assistant director and editor at theGeorgian Film Studio(Gruziafilm).Iosseliani directed his first short film,Akvarel,in 1958 while a student at the VGIK. He graduated from VGIK in 1961, with a diploma in film direction.

His next filmAprili(1961) was initially denied theatrical distribution, until being finally released in 1972. Iosseliani briefly abandoned filmmaking in 1963–1965 when he worked on a fishing boat and then at theRustavi metallurgical factory.In 1966 he directed his first feature filmFalling Leaves(Giorgobistve). Falling Leaves was presented at the Critics' Week at the1968 Cannes Film Festivaland won aFIPRESCIaward there.His 1982 filmPastoralewas initially delayed and then only given a limited release in the Soviet Union. Iosseliani grew sceptical about getting any artistic freedom in his homeland. Disillusioned with the creative suppression of filmmakers in his native country, and following Pastorali's success at the1982 Berlin Film Festival,he eventually left the Soviet Union, settling in France in 1982.His subsequent movies were sometimes critical of theGeorgian Soviet Socialist Republicand the Soviet Union.

Following Pastorale's success at the1982 Berlin Film Festival,the director madeLes Favoris de la Lune(Favourites of the Moon) in 1984. The film was distinguished with a Special Jury Prize at theVenice Film Festival.

After the initial success ofFavorites of the Moonin 1984, the Venice Film Festival became a showcase for many of his subsequent films.In 1989 he again received a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival forAnd Then There Was Light(Et la Lumière Fut) and in 1992 the Pasinetti Award for Best Direction forChasing Butterflies(La Chasse Aux Papillons).After the dissolution of the Soviet Union he continued to work in France where he made the documentaryGeorgia, Alone(Seule, Géorgie) (1994) which was followed by the sardonic and allegoricalBrigands(Brigands – Chapitre VII) (1996).

In 1986 he was a member of the jury at the36th Berlin International Film Festivaland in 1995 he was a member of the jury at the19th Moscow International Film Festival.

In 1999, he won theLouis Delluc Prizein France for his filmFarewell, Home Sweet Home.He acted in the film, portraying the optimistic, alcoholic husband and father.

In 2011 his filmChantrapaswas selected as the Georgian entry for theBest Foreign Language Filmat the84th Academy Awards,but it did not make the final shortlist.

In 2011 Otar Iosseliani received a lifetime achievement honor – theCineMerit Awardat theMunich International Film Festival.It was given by his former pupil, the Georgian filmmakerDito Tsintsadze.

In 2023, in a retrospective review of his long career, with his films spanning seven decades, Ronald Bergan ofThe Guardianstated: "His self-described 'abstract comedies' are understated and incisive explorations of human absurdity, always faithful to his idiosyncratic vision, and discarding any kind of cohesive narrative." Regarding his unconventional directorial style and character development, Bergan stated: "Iosseliani observed his characters through behaviour rather than dialogue. His use of sound and silence, and his complex movements of people, animals and objects made him the true heir toJean Renoir,Jacques TatiandLuis Buñuel."

Death

Iosseliani died on 17 December 2023, at the age of 89.His death was announced by his longtime friend, photographerYuri Rost.After news of his death, Georgian prime ministerIrakli Garibashvilidescribed Iosseliani as an "honoured figure" of Georgian art.

Filmography

Otar Ioseliani in 2013, London

• Akvarel(1958) (TV)
• Sapovnela(1959)
• April(1961) /Ap'rili
• Tudzhi(1964)
• Falling Leaves(1966) /Giorgobistve
• Georgian Ancient Songs(1969) /Dzveli qartuli simgera
• Once Upon a Time There Was a Singing Blackbird(1970)Iqo shashvi mgalobeli
• Pastorale(1975) /Past'orali
• Lettre d'un cinéaste(1982) (TV)
• Sept pièces pour cinéma noir et blanc(1983)
• Euzkadi été1982 (1983) (TV)
• Favorites of the Moon(1984) /Les Favoris de la lune
• Un petit monastère en Toscane(1988)
• And Then There Was Light(1989) /Et la lumière fut
• Chasing Butterflies,orHunting Butterflies,orThe Butterfly Hunt(1992) /La Chasse aux papillons
• Seule, Géorgie(1994)
• Brigands-Chapter VII(1996) /Brigands, chapitre VII
• Farewell, Home Sweet Home(1999) /Adieu, plancher des vaches!
• Monday Morning(2002) /Lundi matin
• Gardens in Autumn(2006) /Jardins en automne
• Chantrapas(2010)
• Winter Song(2015) /Chant d'hiver

External links

• Otar IosselianiatIMDb