It’s a Profession of Manipulators, Murderers and Rapists: Aleksandr Atanesyan on the Profession of a Film Director
Master class by Aleksandr Atanesyan, Armenian director, producer, scriptwriter, was launched today within Lectorium socio-educational project, entitled “Directing and the contemporary movie,” participants of which were students, film industry specialists, cinephiles and mass media representatives.
Aleksandr Atanesyan introduced tendencies, peculiarities and development perspectives for contemporary film industry, as well as touched upon current condition of Armenian cinematography.
Aleksandr Atanesyan considers, personal mistakes entitle him appear in likewise formats, the result of correcting of which, is what he intends to pass on during master classes or meetings.
“When one flies in the blue, cloudless sky, surely, it’s both easy and undoubtedly transmits pleasant emotions, however, unfortunately, ways of glory and success are not always like that. For each of us the way to success is quite different, and unfortunately, there is no clear description to the question how to reach success. Mistakes are the same for everyone, and we all have our part of guilt and mistakes in our professional bibliography. This is the reason, that all the mistakes, which I made in directing and movie producing or any adjacent field, helped me in drawing proper and adequate conclusions.”
The director considers, that presently India remains among the most profitable and popular movie producing countries, with its production by Bolywood , “These indicators aren’t surprising, as humanity, as a result of globalization needs for fast food, including in art as well. It’s known, that the movie has its main three types—mainstream movie, art house and movies, created by combination of both, which, comparatively, are demanded as well.”
Aleksandr Atanesyan isn’t optimistic regarding contemporary Armenia movie, “It doesn’t exist, and undoubtedly, it has its reasons. Maybe educational system doesn’t justify itself, maybe there is an issue of human resources, it’s not also excluded, that the chaos throughout last 20-25 years is the reason, as a result of which directors aren’t able to concentrate—what they want, how they intend to perform their professional wishes and etc. I have two grounds for saying this: I don’t observe movies of Armenian production in world film distribution and exhibition system, as well as in world movie festivals. So, where is our contemporary Armenian movie? Where is it hidden?”
Touching upon problems of contemporary movie, the director touched upon the little number of cinemas in the country, regarding it as an obvious gap.
Responding to the questions, Atanesyan stated major features, due to which any person, choosing the profession of a film director may reach success are—knowledge, brains, character and lucky destiny. He considers a rather random acquaintance may radically change the process of the professional life, if the latter is simply lucky. Besides, the director explains why, for instance, in the field of directing there are no successful females, “It’s a profession of manipulators, cheaters, murderers, rapists, and if women start obtaining these features (not counting manipulation, as they are born one), then they stop being a woman, as by nature they should give life, and not take it.”
Note, well-known director and scriptwriter in Russian movie industry Aleksandr Atanesyan was born in 1953, in Georgia. His most famous movie—“Bastards” (“Сволочи”), was shot in Russia, in 2006. The director, was awarded numerous prizes, he is head of Angel Film Company. He is a laureate of a range of world festivals, and member of leading academies in the field of movie making.
By Nvard Manvelyan
