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  • Emir Kusturica master of all trades

    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/

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