Otar Iosseliani, a prominent Georgian film director, Meritorious Worker of Art and People’s Artist of Georgia, passed away at 89. Iosseliani significantly impacted both Georgian and international cinema throughout his lengthy career.
Commencing his career in 1956 at the Georgian Film Studio, Iosseliani held various roles, including assistant director, editor, and director of documentary films. He later became the director and screenwriter of the studio from 1961 onward. His notable films include Falling Leaves (1966), Once Upon a Time There Was a Singing Blackbird (1970), Pastorale (1976), Favourites of the Moon (1984), Butterfly Hunt (1992), Brigands-Chapter VII (1996), and Farewell, Home Sweet Home (1999).
In the 1980s, Otar Iosseliani shifted his work to France, where he continued to produce documentaries and short films.
His film Favourites of the Moon received a Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival in 1984. Other films, such as Et la lumière fut (1989) and Brigands-Chapter VII (1996), also earned the same Prize.
In 1999, Otar Iosseliani played one of the main roles in his film In Vino Veritas! The director’s subsequent film, Chantrapa, was presented in a non-competitive screening at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival.
