First Georgian actor Giuli Chokhonelidze would have turned 95

Georgia: The first Georgian actor and director, Giuli Chokhonelidze, who participated in the film Oscar, would turn 95 on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.

Giuli Chokhonelidze was born on April 10, 1929 in Tbilisi. In 1951 graduated from Shota Rustaveli Theater Institute of Tbilisi. He studied for one year at the Union Institute of Cinematography (Workshop of Sergei Gerasimov). In 1953-1958 he was an actor of Kote Marjanishvili Theater. 

He has been in cinema since 1952. The first film roles are related to the student years: Rigiti Abuladze (“I serve the Soviet Union”, 1952, Russia), Haiduki (“Andriesh”, s. Farajanov, 1954, Ukraine).

Giuli Chokhonelidze played up to 60 roles during his acting career, most of them leading roles. He actively participated in films from various studios of the former Soviet Union. 

Casted roles: Sandro (“Voyage to Youth”, 1956, Ukraine), sailor Javakhia (“Special Occasion”, 1958, Russia), Ibrahim (“Fatima”, s. Dolidze, 1958), a thief (“The last day, the first day”, p. Dolidze, 1959), Bairam (“Morning”, 1960, Azerbaijan), Ambako (“Maya of her head”, novel in Kinoalmanakh “Under one sky”, L. Ghoghoberidze, 1961, Giorgi (“Our Street”, 1961, Azerbaijan), Ismail (“Life Teaches Us”, 1962, Azerbaijan), Gogia (“Meeting with the Past”, p. Dolidze, 1966), colonel (“Secret Game”, i. Kavtaradze, 1966), Avaliani (“Night Visit”, n. Sanishvili, 1974), Juan (“Night on Chile”, p. Alarcon, a. Kosarev, 1977) and others.

In 1965-1967, Giuli Chokhonelidze invited the film studio “Mosfilm” to play one of the leading roles in “War and Peace” – Petre Bagrationi. In 1968, this film won the highest award of the American Film Academy, “Oscar”. Giuli Chokhonelidze is the first Georgian to participate in the movie “Oscar”.

Giuli Chokhonelidze, as a director, has shot six films: the short film “Kochora” (A. According to Beliashvili’s story, 1967, where he played the role of Sevast) and “Spring Evening” (TV movie, 1972) and four full-length films: 

“Sinaparta Mitsa” (G. Together with Lortkipanidze, 1979, Betkili was drawn here), “Bagrationi” (b. Together with Mgeladze, 1985, acted by Petre Bagrationi), “Spiral” (1990, acted by Zurab Toradze) and “Antimoz Iverieli” (2001, acted by Antimoz Iveriali). His films have received numerous awards at various festivals.

Giuli Chokhonelidze wrote the scripts for the films Kochora (1967) and Bagrationi (1985).

In 1983, Giuli Chokhonelidze was awarded the title of People’s Artist of the USSR. In 1999, he was awarded the Order of Honor for his contribution to the development of Georgian cinema, its popularization, and productive creative and public achievements.

Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sports honours Giuli Chokhonelidze’s bright memory and contribution to developing Georgian culture.