19-03-2018

PRODUCTION: Hovhaness Galstyan and Marine Zakaryan Prep First Armenian/Bulgarian Coproduction

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    My Grandma’s Locks by Marine Zakaryan and Hovhaness Galstyan My Grandma’s Locks by Marine Zakaryan and Hovhaness Galstyan

    SOFIA: Armenia’s Parallels Film Production, Bulgaria’s Jelfilm and Germany’s Clever Production are in preproduction with the first coproduction between Armenia and Bulgaria. My Grandma’s Locks is the sophomore feature by husband and wife writers/directors Hovhaness Galstyan and Marine Zakaryan, and it is based on true events.

    Director Hovhannes GalstyanThe agreement between the three companies was signed during the 68th Berlin International Film Festival and it was preceded by the Programme of Cooperation in the Field of Culture in the Period 2017-2019, that was signed by the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, in Armenia together with the Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.

    The story is set in Armenia in 1900 and follows three children whose parents were killed. Trying to cope with the everyday difficulties, the relatives decide to marry the older one Daniel, who is 14, with a 23 years old young woman so she could become a step mother for the brothers. Eight years later Daniel finds the meaning of true love in younger brother’s wife.

    The main characters are played by Sos Janibekyan, Diana Malenko, Hripsime Nahapetyan and Vahagn Martirosyan.

    Hovhannes Galstyan, Vasili Sharkevich and Laura Clever are producing. Vitali Sharkevich and Annie Galstyan are executive producers. The budget is 600,000 EUR for now, Vasili Sharkevich told FNE. At this point, the project has about 50% confirmed support from the National Cinema Center of Armenia, the Armenian National Cinema Development Fund, the Armenian Public TV and also private investments from the coproducers and the Apotheosis Rental Company. Funding from the Bulgarian National Film Center, the World Cinema Fund, Eurimages and production funding from the National Cinema Center of Armenia are expected in May 2018, according to Vasili Sharkevich.

    The script was developed at the European script development programmes: Film Teep in Bucharest, Romania and B’EST – Producers’ Workshop Baltic Bridge East by West at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, Estonia and St. Petersburg, Russia.

    The Bulgarian team will take care of the Bulgarian part of the shooting, the sound recording during the whole shooting and the sound postproduction.

    Shooting will start in August 2018 and will wrap in December 2018 or January 2019, Sharkevich also told FNE. The premiere is set for 2019.

    Production Information:

    Director Marine ZakaryanJelfilm
    www.jelfilm.com

    Credits:

    Directors: Hovhaness Galstyan, Marine Zakaryan
    Scriptwriters: Hovhaness Galstyan, Marine Zakaryan
    DoP: Mihran Stepanyan
    Composers: Vahagn Hayrapetyan, Norayr Kardashyan
    Production Designer: Narek Zakaryan and Grigor Apresyan
    Costume Designer: Lilit Khazaryan
    Sound: Mihail Dichev
    Cast: Sos Janibekyan, Diana Malenko, Hripsime Nahapetyan, Vahagn Martirosyan