Georgian PM expresses condolences over passing of legendary film director Eldar Shengelaia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday expressed his deep sorrow over the passing of legendary Georgian film director Eldar Shengelaia.

In a social media message, Kobakhidze offered his condolences to Shengelaia’s family, loved ones, and the entire nation.

“I express my deep sorrow over the passing of the great Georgian film director Eldar Shengelaia. I extend my condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all of Georgia. With Eldar Shengelaia’s passing, our country has lost a brilliant director whose legendary films - Unusual Exhibition, The Eccentrics, Blue Mountains, and others - left a lasting impact not only on cinema, but on Georgian culture more broadly”, the PM said.

“Just like Eldar Shengelaia’s astonishing and beloved films, the memory of this legendary Georgian filmmaker will forever remain in the hearts of our people and in the history of our country”, he concluded.

Shengelaia graduated from the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in Moscow in 1958 and then worked for the studio Mosfilm.

In 1960, he became a director at the Tbilisi-based Gruziya-film studio. In 1969, Shengelaia gained nationwide acclaim with the satirical tragicomedy Unusual Exhibition socio-political allusions of which caused discontent in the official Soviet cinema establishment. Since then, Shengelaia has retained a reputation as a highly individual filmmaker.