Famous Ukrainian camera operator, Yuri Harmash, is sorry that Georgians have not preserved Parajanov’s house
On the occasion of Parajanov photographic exhibition opened under “Golden Apricot”, Parajanov’s art dedicated and famous camera operator Yuri Harmash visited Yerevan (the photo is taken from the Facebook page). He is staging operator at the Film Studio after Dovjenko since 1972 and has filmed more than 20 feature films and over 30 television movies.
In the conversation with “Aravot”, the filmmaker mentioned that Parajanov is such a powerful personality, whom you cannot understand unequivocally. “When I was young, the impressions were other, and then another, and now, when the artist is gone, I understand of what a worldwide person I had the honor of working with.
Although it is said, do not create idols, but he really was an idol. Until now, I recall two cases in the history of Soviet cinematography that after the film at All-Russian State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) hall, the students applauded standing. The students usually consider themselves to be genius, until the moment when they begin shooting, and at that period they display a negative attitude towards others’ art. As I said earlier, VGIK hall applauded in the two cases, one for Parajanov’s film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” and the other for Kira Muratova’s film “Long Farewell”. By the way, I was acquainted with the master in 1969, thanks to the Armenian student of VGIK film director faculty, Herald Bezhanov. In my understanding, apart from being a talented artist, Parajanov was a wonderful man. Once, when I was a young student in Ukraine, the famous Armenian film director helped me, but not a Ukrainian …I have a feeling of an honest gratitude towards Parajanov throughout my life.”
Read also
Yuri Harmash tells that when a student he had taken shelter in the basement of a building in the Kiev Pechorsk area, where a room was given only to unmarried, and he had to conceal his marital status. Once, when the secret was about to be revealed, because his wife visited him, and there was no place to spend the night, the young Harmash had to ask for a help from Parajanov. It was in 1972, the month of February. Parajanov is giving his bed to the young couple and decorating the room typical to his imagination, with a still life made of fruits, violets in the silver vase still reserved from Catherine II tableware. And he is sleeping in Napoleon Bonaparte mobile bed, covered with a coat. Until now, Harmash cannot imagine how on February month, snow in winter, the master had found violets for them.
Our interlocutor, who first time arrived in Yerevan, had found time to visit Parajanov’s House-Museum. He says that he was just shocked at what he saw in the master’s house, now he is in Yerevan museum, and delightful memoirs wake up in him. “I’m very sorry that there is no Parajanov Museum in Kiev. It is the shame of Cinematographers of Ukraine and the Ministry of Culture. It is similarly shame for the Georgians for not preserving the house, where Parajanov has lived. Thank God that Armenia, Parajanov’s homeland, established this museum,” mentioned our interlocutor.
Talking about his exclusive photos, some of which can also be found in Arayik Manukian’s published book entitled “Once upon a time there was Parajanov”, and the photographic exhibition is still on at the “Moscow” cinema, Yuri Harmash said, “All Parajanov photos are valuable for me, I remember everything connected with each, when I painted, what mood he had on that day.”
The author told episodes associated with a few photographs. For instances, when in 1978, Parajanov is secretly coming from the jail to Kiev after his personal belongings left with his friends. Some of the things were kept with Suren Shahbazyan. Yuri Harmash is going with his wife to help the master and photographing him. There is also a unique photograph. Parajanov is standing on Taras Shevchenko street, next to the State Security Committee, he points out his finger hinting that he “sat” in this building for 11 months. Harmash has a very natural Parajanov in the photograph taken in 1987. It is the fortieth day of the late film actor of “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” and film director, Ivan Mikolaychuk. Parajanov holding a glass in his hands is thinking … “It seems everything is said and shown about Parajanov. I cannot add anything new. There is only one thing that I want to stress, and not because that I am on the Armenian land: Parajanov was a genius.” Yuri Harmash told another episode. French President Charles de Gaulle’s wife, after watching the film “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors”, is asking to take her to Parajanov. The artist is warned not to do anything crazy. ”
He had not done any crazy thing; he had just talked to the electrician to cut off the electricity of the building, and the elevator service-man to switch off the elevator. And Parajanov was living on the 7th floor. He had asked his friend to send the Carpathian meter candles designed for wedding ceremonies, which had rose heads. He lights the candles from the first up to the seventh floor, cover the stairs with rose petals and thus meets the president’s wife… Look at the imagination of this genius man, he had promised not to do any crazy thing …,” tells the artist. The “Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors” was to be shown at the film festival in Argentina, and Parajanov had a personal invitation. As said by Harmash, as it was adopted for the artists going “out”, Parajanov was also invited to “a conversation” and personally with the First Secretary of the Central Committee. He is asked with which actors he would like to travel to Argentina, the master is giving two names.
As said by Harmash, due to lack of funds, they are trying to explain that he can go only with one of them, because at least a three-star shoulder-strap employee of a special facility will accompany them. This frustrates Parajanov. “If you are short of funds, then buy me a one-way ticket…”
Gohar HAKOBYAN
