mulberry

 

The Mulberry Tree (1979), was a hit in Soviet Union and always on TV. A timeless Armenian comedy (in Russian). Directed by Gennadi Melkonyan, scored by Armen Boyamyan, lensed by Vartanov and based on Zorayr Khalapyan’s short story about two neighbor families, one has only sons, the other – only daughters. Both families claim they own the huge mulberry tree growing between their houses.

Winner of a festival award in Moscow which  Gennadi Melkonian brought to Armenia and gifted to Vartanov. Also won 3 awards at the 9th International Festival of Short and Documentary Films in Lille, France in 1980: The FIPRESCI Award, Best Debut Award and Audience Choice Award. In 2005, the film also screened at the great BAFICI in Argentina.

Here’s actress Tamar Hovhannisyan on director Melkonian and cinematographer Vartanov.

 

 

 

 THE CAST:

Leonard Sarkisov … Gaspar

R. Aroyan … Samson

Nona Petrosyan … Aelita

Tamar Hovhannisyan … Shushan

A. Alaverdian … Kid

N. Alaverdian … Kid 2

B. Ananian … Kid 3

T. Nurbekiants … Kid 4

M. Pogosian … Kid 5

THE CREW:

Gennadi Melkonyan (director, also director’s scenario)

Mikhail Vartanov (cinematographer, also director’s scenario)

Eduard Akopov (screenwriter)

Armen Boyamyan (composer)

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Parajanov-Vartanov Institute