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Khachatur Almazian:
Emir Kusturica master of all trades
October 23, 2014
PanARMENIAN.Net - Almazian Symphony ensemble directed by Armenian
violinist Khachatur Almazian and Serbian cellist Tamara Savic recorded
an OST to Emir Kusturica's "On The Milky Road" starring the Serbian
helmer and Italy's sweetheart Monica Bellucci. Almazian Symphony
released its first album in 2013 in France, in cooperation with Sony
Music Entertainment and France TV National. In a conversation with
PanARMENIAN.Net, Khachatur Almazian shared details of his cooperation
with Kusturica.
"On The Milky Road" tells a story that stretches across war in former
Yugoslavia , blossoming love of a woman (Bellucci) for a soldier
(Kusturica) who chooses life as a recluse. The director plans to
complete production in late 2014, to be featured at Cannes Film
Festival.
Khachatur Almazian and Monica Bellucci
On working with Kusturica
My friendly and business relations with Kustirica date back a while
ago. It was Almazian Symphony that opened the first Kustendorf Film
and Music Festival. In 2010 we were already collaborating with Emir
and his composer son Stribor. We recorded music to a movie "Cool
Water" co-produced by Johnny Depp. Later, the movie production was
postponed; however, the recording was to Kusturica's liking, which
determined his further choice of an ensemble.
As opposed to the majority of directors who work on music in the
post-production stage, Emir focuses on music during production. I
direct the orchestra and play violin solos.
Work on music starts from Stribor's sending the score, followed by
rehearsal and interpretation in the studio. I love working on
Stribor's music, it's simply wonderful. I cannot define the exact
style but it is certainly beautiful and vibrant.
Almazian with composer Stribor Kusturica (center) and producer
Philippe Avril (right)
With Stribor, we're really on the same wave. We never watch the time
when working together: at times, we start early in the morning and go
on far into the night. The finalized material is then shown to Emir.
About Kustiruca
Kusturica takes his time to work on every detail - that's one of his
specifics. In this day and age, many directors depend on producers who
set time limits, determine the cast, etc. Emir told me once how he
spent 1,5 months on a wedding scene in "Underground" though he
initially planned to finish it in 5 days. I'm always in awe of his
phenomenal energy, working capacity - it's hard to imagine how one
person can be capable of making films, performing concerts, hosting
festivals, writing books, building cities. I keep thinking of a Sergey
Dovlatov quote: "Clearly, a genius should have friends. But who will
ever believe that one's friend is a genius?"
Emir Kusturica and Khachatur Almazian
On Yerevan premiere of the film
I'd like to organize a Yerevan premiere for "On the Milky Road". In
2010, I invited Emir and his The No Smoking Orchestra to perform in
Yerevan. The concert was a huge success; I later arranged Kusturica's
meeting with young artists, with a full house of people gathering.
Afterwards, Emir confessed to have been surprised by the intellect of
Armenian youth. I'd like for a similar meeting to be held after the
film's Cannes premiere, with the whole Kusturica family present. The
Kusturica family is a unique phenomena in the world of cinema - Emir's
wife, Maja, co-produced the "Milky Road," daughter Dunja co-wrote the
script, son Stribor composed the score.
Screenshot, poster for "On the Milky Road"
And of course, I'd like to invite the leading lady, Monica Bellucci to
the premiere. A star of the first magnitude, Monica astonishes with
her dazzling beauty and sharp intelligence. I'm sure, Yerevan audience
will be glad to meet her.
Mane Yepremyan/ PanARMENIAN.Net; Photos: Khachatur Almazian achives, PAN Photo
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/interviews/183899/
Emir Kusturica master of all trades
October 23, 2014
PanARMENIAN.Net - Almazian Symphony ensemble directed by Armenian
violinist Khachatur Almazian and Serbian cellist Tamara Savic recorded
an OST to Emir Kusturica's "On The Milky Road" starring the Serbian
helmer and Italy's sweetheart Monica Bellucci. Almazian Symphony
released its first album in 2013 in France, in cooperation with Sony
Music Entertainment and France TV National. In a conversation with
PanARMENIAN.Net, Khachatur Almazian shared details of his cooperation
with Kusturica.
"On The Milky Road" tells a story that stretches across war in former
Yugoslavia , blossoming love of a woman (Bellucci) for a soldier
(Kusturica) who chooses life as a recluse. The director plans to
complete production in late 2014, to be featured at Cannes Film
Festival.
Khachatur Almazian and Monica Bellucci
On working with Kusturica
My friendly and business relations with Kustirica date back a while
ago. It was Almazian Symphony that opened the first Kustendorf Film
and Music Festival. In 2010 we were already collaborating with Emir
and his composer son Stribor. We recorded music to a movie "Cool
Water" co-produced by Johnny Depp. Later, the movie production was
postponed; however, the recording was to Kusturica's liking, which
determined his further choice of an ensemble.
As opposed to the majority of directors who work on music in the
post-production stage, Emir focuses on music during production. I
direct the orchestra and play violin solos.
Work on music starts from Stribor's sending the score, followed by
rehearsal and interpretation in the studio. I love working on
Stribor's music, it's simply wonderful. I cannot define the exact
style but it is certainly beautiful and vibrant.
Almazian with composer Stribor Kusturica (center) and producer
Philippe Avril (right)
With Stribor, we're really on the same wave. We never watch the time
when working together: at times, we start early in the morning and go
on far into the night. The finalized material is then shown to Emir.
About Kustiruca
Kusturica takes his time to work on every detail - that's one of his
specifics. In this day and age, many directors depend on producers who
set time limits, determine the cast, etc. Emir told me once how he
spent 1,5 months on a wedding scene in "Underground" though he
initially planned to finish it in 5 days. I'm always in awe of his
phenomenal energy, working capacity - it's hard to imagine how one
person can be capable of making films, performing concerts, hosting
festivals, writing books, building cities. I keep thinking of a Sergey
Dovlatov quote: "Clearly, a genius should have friends. But who will
ever believe that one's friend is a genius?"
Emir Kusturica and Khachatur Almazian
On Yerevan premiere of the film
I'd like to organize a Yerevan premiere for "On the Milky Road". In
2010, I invited Emir and his The No Smoking Orchestra to perform in
Yerevan. The concert was a huge success; I later arranged Kusturica's
meeting with young artists, with a full house of people gathering.
Afterwards, Emir confessed to have been surprised by the intellect of
Armenian youth. I'd like for a similar meeting to be held after the
film's Cannes premiere, with the whole Kusturica family present. The
Kusturica family is a unique phenomena in the world of cinema - Emir's
wife, Maja, co-produced the "Milky Road," daughter Dunja co-wrote the
script, son Stribor composed the score.
Screenshot, poster for "On the Milky Road"
And of course, I'd like to invite the leading lady, Monica Bellucci to
the premiere. A star of the first magnitude, Monica astonishes with
her dazzling beauty and sharp intelligence. I'm sure, Yerevan audience
will be glad to meet her.
Mane Yepremyan/ PanARMENIAN.Net; Photos: Khachatur Almazian achives, PAN Photo
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/interviews/183899/