"Look for a Woman": How the Most Famous Georgian Dynasty of Soviet Cinema Appeared

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

34 years ago, on January 31, 1984, the famous Georgian actress, People's Artist of the USSR Veriko Andzhaparidze passed away. She was called a theatrical legend and "Mother of Georgia". She starred in films a little, but even the episodes performed by her became masterpieces. In the film "Repentance" her heroine uttered only one phrase, but she became an aphorism: "Why do we need a road if it does not lead to a temple?" But Veriko was known not only for this - she was the mother of the famous actress, who was called the Georgian muse of Soviet cinema, the star of the film "Look for a Woman" Sofiko Chiaureli. Who else from this dynasty left a noticeable mark on Soviet cinema - further in the review.

Veriko Andzhaparidze was born in Kutaisi in the family of a notary, chairman of the Kutaisi Georgian Drama Society, a public councilor of the city council. Her parents wanted a different future for her, but after graduating from high school in 1917, Veriko secretly left them for Moscow and entered a drama studio. Her further training was prevented by the revolution, because of which the girl had to return to her homeland.

In Tbilisi, Veriko continued her studies at the studio of the actor of the Parisian theater "Antoine". There she met the actor, director, artist and sculptor Mikhail Chiaureli. At that time, he was married and raised a child, but for the sake of Veriko he decided to leave his family, thereby incurring the wrath of his parents. Together they went to Germany, where Mikhail was sent for an internship. From there, the girl returned earlier and decided to take the gifts to her father-in-law and mother-in-law in the hope that after that they would put up with the choice of her son and be able to forgive him.

The famous nephew of Veriko, the son of her sister, director Georgy Danelia told about further events: "".

Mikhail Chiaureli was a successful director who shot the films The Last Masquerade, Georgy Saakadze, The Oath, The Fall of Berlin. He was personally acquainted with Stalin and visited him at his dacha. However, behind every successful man, as you know, there is always an outstanding woman. There was no other way to say about Veriko Anjaparidze - she was a one hundred percent woman, wise, caring, kind and flirtatious. Georgy Danelia recalled how his mother once said that her sister was 7 years older than her. Veriko was indignant: they say, not by 7, but by 4! As it turned out later, she reduced her passport for 3 years - in fact, she was born not in 1900, but in 1897.

After the war, Mikhail Chiaureli acquired an American Packard. When he returned from filming, he was surprised to find that instead of this car he was met at Pobeda. It turned out that my wife arranged an exchange, and bought a fur coat for the difference. Later, instead of "Victory" appeared "Moskvich", and in Veriko's wardrobe - another fur coat. When her husband asked why she needed so many fur coats, she replied: ""

In addition, Veriko was an outstanding actress. In the cinema, she played only 34 roles, among which there were almost no major ones - she did not like to act in films, because she did not feel there connection with the audience, but in the theater she was a real queen. At the theater. K. Mardzhanishvili she was an actress, a director, and an artistic director. But at the same time, even her episodic film roles were very vivid and memorable. In 1944 g.she was awarded “For successful work in the field of Soviet cinematography during the Patriotic War and the release of highly artistic films”. In 1992, the editorial board of the British encyclopedia "Who's Who" included her in the top ten most outstanding actresses of the twentieth century. And in her homeland she is often called “the mother of Georgia”.

She and her husband loved each other very much all their lives. Mikhail Chiaureli built a house for them on the spot where they first kissed. At the same time, the director decided to formalize the relationship only at the age of 75. And when he was 77, his wife first gave him a scene of jealousy - then she discovered that her husband kept a letter from one actress, written during the days of silent films.

Veriko's nephew Georgy Danelia became one of the most famous Soviet directors, and her daughter Sofiko Chiaureli became a famous actress. From childhood, she grew up in a creative atmosphere and knew that she also wanted to link her fate with cinema and theater. After graduating from VGIK, she began performing on the stage and acting in films, having played more than 100 roles.

She inherited from her mother not only acting talent, but also the talent to be a woman, a unique feminine charm and charm. Sofiko, like her mother, knew how to charm at first sight and inspire creativity. Sergei Parajanov considered her his muse and said about her: "". The famous actor and sports commentator Kote Makharadze left his family for her and worshiped her until the end of his days. Before meeting him, the actress was also married, her first husband was director Georgy Shengelaya. Both Sofiko and Kote were already over 40 when both realized that they had met the greatest love in their lives.

Together with her husband, Sofiko created the Chiaureli and Anjaparidze Museum and the Veriko Theater of One Actor. The director of the film "Look for a Woman" Alla Surikova described her impressions of her acquaintance with the actress and her husband: "".

The most famous film with the participation of Sofiko Chiaureli bore the symbolic title "Look for a Woman". This could be called a novel about the actress herself, and about the history of her mother's life. They both seemed to have solved the secret of eternal femininity and with their love, kindness, care and warmth inspired those men who were next to them.

Another famous Georgian actress was Sofiko Chiaureli's daughter-in-law: "Heavenly Swallow" Iya Ninidze and her iron will.