Telling stories is not a walk in the park, however, filming them is much more complicated. How does delicate Anna Melikyan cope with this? VREMENA GODA MAGAZINE managed to catch the film director between projects and raised several questions about her career and new projects.
Anna Melikyan at the Vremena Goda cinema
Stella McCartney dress; David Morris earrings, bracelet, ring
Anna Melikyan is a name without mentioning which we can imagine no conversation about contemporary Russian cinema. She started winning hearts with the movie named "Mars" almost 15 years ago and continued with such works as "Mermaid", "Star", "About Love", "Fairy", "Three". The winner of the Berlin Film Festival and “Kinotavr” awards knows how to combine complex meanings with simple ones, famous artists with newcomers, and, most importantly, dares to experiment with themes or genres. For this, she is loved by viewers and critics, and what is even a rarer thing, even by her moviemaking peers.
Agnona coat; Elisabetta Franchi (ALine) jeans
About her career choice
When we entered VGIK, our master Sergei Soloviev said: “Well done, you entered, and now just think about it: if you have at least a single reason to leave, you'd better leave. Stay here only if you are not able to leave.
Making a movie is complicated enough, it tends to border on despair, fear, and an escape attempt. But every time for some reason you do not escape, you go on doing it, since you just cannot imagine your life without it.
Cinema is not chosen, it chooses you.
The modern woman in the cinema world is becoming more confident, she no longer feels like a black sheep in this largely male professional area. She no longer needs to prove at each step that she is capable of filmmaking. Therefore, she is able to focus on creativity, and then experience the full range of emotions in the cinema world, regardless of gender.
Colombo (Cashmere and Silk) dress
About career path
As if someone takes your hand and leads to the place where you ought to be, to feel what you ought to feel, and then do your best to tell about it through a movie.
Since this or that movie idea has settled inside me, it means I’ll get it done. I have no ideas hidden into a desk as well as impracticable ideas. And as for the movies that I would never shoot, of course, I have some of those. This probably applies to some topics I wouldn’t dare to develop, since I am sensitive to this connection between creation and my own life. Whether you like it or not, the story you are shooting begins to affect your own life. Therefore, there are certain topics I would never take on.
I never talk about future projects. It has become a custom. Although I don't like to talk about my past movies either. So I wouldn't say I do like to talk about my films.
About changes in the industry
Basically, only the form of expression changes, it is being transformed and goes around in a circle. First, it was that flashy clip way of thinking, then we have had enough of it, and it has become fashionable to speak slowly and meaningfully. I like it better. However, in fact, nothing seems to change: people always come to talk about themselves, their feelings, with their unique view and understanding of the world. It has always been and will remain the most interesting thing in cinema – the “New man”.
Brunello Cucinelli sweater; Bvlgari watches
