Advanced search

Elena Satine was born in Tbilisi, Georgia and grew up in Sochi. She began her professional career at the tender age of 6 when she appeared on the popular children's variety show "Morning Star." On a spontaneous trip to New York City, the young actress attended an open call for at the Professional Performing Arts School, and got accepted on the spot. After graduating with honors, Elena continued her dramatic studies at the renowned Moscow Art Theater School.

One of the 20th century's greatest masters of cinema Sergei Parajanov was born in Georgia to Armenian parents and it was always unlikely that his work would conform to the strict socialist realism that Soviet authorities preferred. After studying film and music, Parajanov became an assistant director at the Dovzhenko studios in Kyiv, making his directorial debut in 1954, following that with numerous shorts and features, all of which he subsequently dismissed as "garbage". However, in 1964 he was able to make Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965), a rhapsodic celebration of Ukrainian folk culture, and the world discovered a startling and idiosyncratic new talent. He followed this up with the even more innovative The Color of Pomegranates (1969) (which explored the art and poetry of his native Armenia in a series of stunningly beautiful tableaux), but by this stage the authorities had had enough, and Paradjanov spent most of the 1970s in prison on almost certainly rigged charges of "homosexuality and illegal trafficking in religious icons". However, with the coming of perestroika, he was able to make The Legend of Suram Fortress (1985), Ashik Kerib (1988) and The Confession, which survives as Parajanov: The Last Spring (1992), before succumbing to cancer in 1990.

Georgi Daneliya was born on August 25, 1930 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Since 1939 the family lived in Moscow, where Danelia's father was the chief engineer for the Moscow Underground Metro System. Daneliya's father became a decorated WWII General, specializing in construction of underground bunkers for the Soviet Government. His mother was a good chess-player and later worked as a second unit director at Mosfilm. Daneliya's mother's sister Veriko Anjaparidze was married to Mikheil Chiaureli, who was a personal friend of Joseph Stalin. Daneliya first earned his architect's degree from the Moscow Architecture Institute. Then he studied at the Higher Director's Courses at Mosfilm under Mikhail Romm, and graduated in 1959, becoming a film director at the Mosfilm Studios in Moscow.

During the cultural "Thaw" initiated by Nikita Khrushchev Daneliya was at the start of the Soviet "New Wave" in films. He had his first success shared with Igor Talankin. Their film 'Seryozha' (1960) was awarded the Crystal Globe in Karlovy Vary. He then worked with Gennady Shpalikov on a propaganda-free project about life in Moscow. Censorship caused a few obstacles by demanding changes to the plot and the script of 'Walking the Streets of Moscow' (1963). It became a popular lyrical comedy with a title hit song by Andrey Petrov. But soon Nikita Khrushchev was dismissed by Leonid Brezhnev and the "Thaw" ended. Daneliya's brilliant comedy '33' (1965) was labeled as anti-Soviet by the head of KGB Vladimir Semichastny, who wrote in a secret letter to the Central Committee: "anti-Soviet...film '33' is an attempt to discredit everything including the cosmonaut's flight."

Daneliya had to wait for 4 long years until he got a chance to work on his next film. It was titled "Don't Grieve" - 'Ne Goryuy' (1969), starring Vakhtang Kikabidze. His more careful, but masterful comedies 'Gentlemen of Luck' (1972), 'Afonya' (1975), 'Mimino' (1977) continued his successful career. A step beyond the comedy genre was made in his film 'Osenny Marafon' (1979). It's a melodrama about a man in his mid-life crisis, torn between two women, and all three are trapped in the game of lies and personal demands, amidst the stagnant Soviet reality.

His innovative film 'Kin-Dza-Dza' (1986) stands out as a genre of it's own. Everything is different, yet very familiar in this metaphoric film. New type of script with renown stars, new environment for and old tale, new language for ancient wisdom. Daneliya created a universe of allusions; It grows with a passage of time, while getting closer to our future. He presented a fresh view of the human nature, and played with reflections on his own life, the fate of a genius in a rigid society going through inevitable changes.

Danelia is blessed with good friends and highly professional collaborators. His first wife was actress Lyubov Sokolova (1921-2001) who played 370 film roles and is listed in the Guinnes book of Records. Their son Nikolai Daneliya (1958-1985) was a film director before his tragic death. Danelia lives in Moscow and works on his new project, an animation sequel to 'Kin-Dza-Dza'.

Sofiko Chiaureli was born on 21 May 1937 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. She was an actress, known for The Color of Pomegranates (1969), Rats ginakhavs, vegar nakhav (1965) and Chveni ezo (1956). She was married to Giorgi Shengelaia and Kote Makharadze. She died on 2 March 2008 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Levan Bakhia is film director and producer from ex soviet state, Georgia. Founder and CEO of the largest production company in Caucasus region Sarke Studio.

Since 1998, he has been producing and directing commercials. In 2011, Bakhia made his directorial and writing debut with a feature film - 247°F.

Levan was born on 12th of August, 1979, in Tbilisi, Georgia. He Graduated from European School of Management in 2000. On his 3rd year of collage, in 1998 he founded the advertising agency - Sarke. Part of Sarke Group Companies, Sarke Studio is today considered not only being the largest production and rental company in the territory, but also as the company responsible for developing the production industry in the country overall.

Levan Gabriadze was born on 16 November 1969 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. He is a director and actor, known for Unfriended (2014), Rezo (2018) and Kin-dza-dza! (1986).

Alexander Atanesyan was born on 12 October 1953 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. He is a director and producer, known for About Fate (2022), Bastards (2006) and Blizkiy vrag (2010). He has been married to Evgeniya Trofimova since 2001.

Ksenia Lavrentieva is a British actress, voice-over artist and TV personality of Eurasian descent. Known for her numerous appearances on British/US television, as well as having played Nadia Dansky on HBO's Strike Back. Born in the former communist state of Georgia, Tbilisi, to a renowned dissident Georgian artist and one of Russia's revered actresses. Her first years were spent in Taganrog Bay a port city in Rostov on the shores of the Azov Sea - southern Russia. The separation of her parents prompted a move to Moscow with her mother, followed by an unsettlingly candid immersion in the confused, though highly creative atmosphere that pervaded in the Russian capital at the time. A few years later, the newly re-composed Lavrentieva family moved to London. When asked about this period in her life, Ksenia only refers to it as a time where "we pretty much existed upon the fringes, moving regularly and rarely settling in one place". However, she does admit that whilst it was a time of constant upheaval, it perhaps also represents, in many ways, a time from which she now draws a great deal of inspiration. Ksenia has worked and traveled on both sides of the Atlantic in film, television and commercials, working with creatives as diverse as David Cronenberg to Dr. Dre.

Vakhtang Konstantinovich Kikabidze, an actor, singer, songwriter, screenwriter, and producer, was born in Tbilisi, Soviet Georgia on July 19, 1938. He was also a politician who served in the Parliament of Georgia from 2020 until his death.

He was awarded the USSR State Prize, the Orders of King Vakhtang Gorgasali, Nikolai Wondermonger, and Prince Yaroslav the Wise, as well as Knight Cross of St. Konstantin the Great. He won different international song concourses and film festivals.

In 1999 in Moscow, he received a star on the "Star Square". In cinematography, he created a number of eminent actors who became very popular. His last film, Fortuna (2000), was made in 2000.

As scriptwriter and producer, he made two feature films: "Bud' Zdorov, dorogoi" (which took the first premium on the international comedy festival in Grabovo, Bulgaria) and "Muzchini i vse ostal'nie".

He was married with two children and three grandchildren at the time of his death in 2023 at the age of 84.

Dito Tsintsadze was born on 2 March 1957 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Georgia]. He is a director and writer, known for Gun-Shy (2003), Shindisi (2019) and Der Mann von der Botschaft (2006).

Leyla Abashidze is a Soviet and Georgian actress, director, screenwriter, singer. People's Artist of the Georgian SSR. In 1941, director Konstantine Pipinashvili selected her for one of the main roles in the film Qajana (1941). Pipinashvili recalled that her sister brought Leyla to the audition. Among the smartly dressed children who came to the casting, Leyla stood out with her old faded dress, homemade haircut and worn-out shoes. At the auditions, a scene was played out when Kato, shocked by her brother's muteness, for which she herself was to blame, sobs violently and asks God to give him back his voice. Leyla played this episode with such life-like truth, such everyday nuances that for several moments silence reigned in the pavilion. So Leyla was cast in the main role.

In 1951 she graduated from the acting department of the Tbilisi Theater Institute named after Shota Rustaveli (course of Dodo Aleksidze).

She became widely known and popular after her brilliant performance of character roles in the comedies The Dragonfly (1954) and The Scrapper (1956). She starred in both comedic and dramatic roles.

In 1981, as a director, based on her own script (together with Levan Chelidze), she directed the comedy Tbilisi, Parizi, Tbilisi (1980), playing the main role of Ten Shervashidze.

George Ovashvili was born on 14 November 1963 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. He is a producer and director, known for Gagma napiri (2009), Corn Island (2014) and Zgvis donidan... (2005).

Ramaz Chkhikvadze was born on the 28th of February 1928 to the outstanding musician Gregory Chkhikvadze and Elene Gachechiladze. He has been hesitating between conservatory and theater institute, but finally choose acting. This national actor of Georgia and USSR graduated from the Rustaveli State Theatre Institute in 1951, and since then he has been acting in Rustaveli Theatre.

Because of his legendary acting skills he had the honor to work with great world class directors. Chkhikvadze's trade mark is his distinct individuality, originality, great creative imagination, improvisation and conversion skills.

His acting captivated the whole world. Chkhikvadze's portrayal of Shakespeare's characters were acclaimed to be the best. He was called "a Georgian Olivier" in Great Britain, but then it was modified to 'Olivier being the Georgian Chkhikvadze".

Ramaz Chkhikvadze passed away October 17th 2011, at the age of 83 in his apartment in Tbilisi, Georgia from cancer.

Born in Tbilisi in 1982. Graduated from director's faculty of VGIK (Marlen Khutsiev's class) in 2005 . Directed more than 150 music video's and advertising clips. His feature "Hostages" (2017) was premiered in Berlinale's Panorama and participated in more than 30 international film festivals including Telluride, Edinburgh, Thessaloniki, Shanghai, Haifa, Cairo. Other features: Heat (2005), Love with Accent (2012), No Borders (2015). He lives in Tbilisi Georgia.

Lev Kulidzhanov was born on 19 March 1924 in Tiflis, Georgian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia]. He was a director and writer, known for When the Trees Were Tall (1962), Nezabudki (1994) and Otchiy dom (1959). He died on 18 February 2002 in Moscow, Russia.

Demis Karibidis was born on 4 December 1982 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. He is an actor and writer, known for Korolyok moey lyubvi, Demis i Marina (2024) and Svetlakov+ (2024). He has been married to Pelageya Karibova since 2014. They have four children.

Guguli Mgeladze was born on 12 May 1928 in Tiflis, Georgian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia]. He was a director and writer, known for Tsiskris zarebi (1967), Rogor vitskhovro ushenod (1980) and Dzakhili (1979). He died on 29 November 2015.

Bakur Bakuradze was born on 16 March 1969 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. He is a producer and writer, known for Snowflakes in my Yard (2024), Shultes (2008) and Salyut-7 (2017). He is married to Ilya Malakhova.

Ramaz Giorgobiani was born on 16 April 1946 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. He is an actor and director, known for Modi, vilaparakot (1986), Blue Mountains, or Unbelievable Story (1983) and Morevi (1996).

Gogi Gegechkori was born on 23 February 1923 in Tiflis, Georgian SSR, TSFSR, USSR [now Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia]. He was an actor, known for Richard III (1982), Tojinebi itsinian (1963) and Eteris simgera (1956). He died on 11 March 2003 in Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia.

Lia Eliava was born on 28 May 1934 in Tiflis, Georgian SSR, Transcaucasian SFSR, USSR [now Tbilisi, Georgia]. She was an actress, known for Mamluqi (1958), Qalis tvirti (1957) and Bashi-Achuki (1956). She was married to Otar Koberidze. She died on 8 October 1998 in Tbilisi, Georgia.

After school, Saakashvili studied law. He then initially worked for the Institute for Human Rights in Oslo. He then worked as a lawyer in New York. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and Georgia's independence, Saakashvili returned to his homeland. He entered parliament as a member, where he was the leader of the "Citizens' Union" faction. Under President Eduard Shevardnadze, Saakashvili temporarily headed the Justice Ministry.

However, since he was investigating his government colleagues for alleged corruption, he soon had to resign from this office. During Shevardnadze's third term in office, however, Saakashvili increasingly came into opposition to the long-time president. After his party alliance won the November 2003 parliamentary elections through massive manipulation and falsification, Saakashvili was one of the key opposition leaders who brought about Shevardnadze's resignation in November 2003.

In the presidential elections of January 2004, Saakashvili was elected as Shevardnadze's successor. The new head of state declared the reunification of Georgia, which was threatened by separatist efforts in the provinces of Adjaria, Abkhazia and South Ossetia, to be torn apart as his first goal. At the end of the month, Saakashvili's first state visit was to Germany, where he confirmed to Chancellor Gerhard Schröder his desire for his country's future integration into NATO and the EU.

In the parliamentary elections of March 2004, Saakashvili's alliance of the National Union and the Democrats emerged as the clear winner. Since the percentage threshold for entry into parliament was increased to 7%, no other party made it into the people's assembly. As 2004 progressed, the domestic political situation in Georgia worsened. In May, President Saakashvili prevailed in the power struggle with the province of Adjara, where the separatist governor Aslan Abashidze and other government representatives resigned and the central power took control again.

Saakashvili then tried to re-integrate Abkhazia and South Ossetia, which have been asserting their state independence from Georgia since the mid-1990s and are supported by their powerful neighbor Russia. This brought the Georgian president into repeated diplomatic conflicts with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On January 5, 2008, he was re-elected president in early presidential elections in Georgia with 53.47% of the votes counted.

Mikhail Saakashvili is married to a Dutch woman and has one child.

Ia Ninidze was born on 8 September 1960 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Republic of Georgia]. She is an actress, known for Heavenly Swallows (1976), The First Swallow (1975) and Repentance (1984).

Zurab Tsereteli was born on 4 January 1934 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR [now Tbilisi, Georgia]. He is known for Snowfall (2019), Vremya (1968) and Soviet Bus Stops (2022). He was married to Inessa Alexandrovna Andronikashvili. He died on 22 April 2025 in Moscow, Russia.

Eduard Martsevich was an actor, theater director, teacher. He was an Honored Artist of the RSFSR (4.11.1974), People's artist of the RSFSR (22.06.1987). Martsevich graduated from the Theater School of M.S. Shchepkina (1959). Since 1959 he was an actor of the Academic Theater of Vl. Mayakovskiy. Since 1969 Martsevich was an actor of the Academic Maly Theater of the USSR. Even at the beginning of his artistic career, he tried his hand at directing. He staged and together with Z. Andreeva, played in the concert version the play "White Nights" by F. Dostoyevsky. Then other performances followed. And finally, the decision has come to do directing professionally. For this reason, he broke away from the theater for a year and went to the Lithuanian city of Panevezhis to study the profession of the director for the famous director Yu. Miltinis. At the end of the director's course, Martsevich confirmed his qualification by putting A. Kazantsev's "Old House" at the Panevezys Theater, and then in different years "Ordinary History" by I.A. Goncharov and "Ivanov" of A.P. Chekhov. In his native Maly Theater he produced three plays. Staged the play by A. Strindberg's "Father", in which he played the main role of the Captain. Then the comedy of A.N. Ostrovsky "There was not a penny, but suddenly Altyn" for which he chose for the main role one of the most beloved and revered actors of the modern theater, Evgeniy Samoilov. At the end of 1998, he directed his own staging of Tolstoy's novel "Resurrection."