Danelia Giorgi
Giorgi (Gia) Danelia (b. August 25, 1930, Tbilisi – d. April 4, 2019, Moscow) was a film director, People's Artist of the USSR (1989).
He graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute (1955) and the Advanced Course for Screenwriters and Film Directors at Mosfilm (1958).
From 1958, Danelia was the leading director of Mosfilm, where he made feature films: Splendid Days (Seryozha) (1960, co-written and co-directed by his friend Igor Talankin. The film and Danelia won about 40 awards at various international film festivals, including the first prize “Golden Laurel Wreath” in Cannes, the grand prize “Crystal Globe” at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, “Golden Head of Palenque” in Mexico, honorary diplomas in England, Canada and France; a special prize from the American press, etc.), The Road to Berth (1962),Walking the Streets of Moscow (1963; special prize at the 17th Cannes International Film Festival; 1st prize in Milan, prizes at international film festivals in Edinburgh and Czechoslovakia), Thirty-Three (1965), Don't Grieve (1969; with the Georgian Film Studio, special prize “Great Condor Prize” at the 10th Mar del Plata International Film Festival; prize at the 10th Cartagena International Film Festival), Hopelessly Lost (1973; “Palme d'Or” at the Cannes International Film Festival and prize at the Spain International Film Festival), Afonya (1975), Mimino (1977; USSR State Prize, 1978; Golden Grand Prize at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival; Gold Prize at the 19th International Film Festival in Italy), Autumn Marathon (1979; main prize “Golden Shell” at the 27th San Sebastián International Film Festival; State Prize of the RSFSR, 1981), Tears Were Falling (1982), Kin-dza-dza! (1986), Passport (1991), Fortune (2000) and etc.
Danelia's work is characterized by lyricism and subtle humor. He is the author and co-author of the scripts for almost all of his films. He also wrote the script for Gentlemen of Fortune.
For years, Danelia taught the art of directing at the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. He was the artistic director of the Mosfilm Comedy and Musical film Creative Association, and the chairman of the Pedagogical Council of the Advanced Directing Courses at the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography.
Literary works: Безбилетный пассажир, М., 2003; Тостуемый пьет до дна, М., 2005.
A. Gventsadze
