A cult Georgian artist whose creative activities spanned more than half a century passed away.
On January 15, at the age of 85, an outstanding Georgian actor and singer Vakhtang Kikabidze died.
I spoke to him on the phone only four years ago – he was witty and charming: on the screen as well as in life. He was a cult artist of the USSR in 1970-1980. In terms of popularity and performance style, Kikabidze can be compared to French star Joe Dassin and Italian star Adriano Celentano. All of them were born in 1938. Dassin died of a heart attack in 1980, Celentano recently celebrated his 85th birthday.
Kikabidze also had a somewhat muffled, very pleasant voice and sang his songs in a conversational mood. Like Adriano, he was a movie star.
As for politics, after the Russian bombing of Georgia (“August War”) in 2008, Vakhtang Konstantinovich returned the Order of Peoples’ Friendship to Vladimir Putin (the then Prime Minister of the Russian Federation). And he canceled all his concerts in Russia.
Since 2014, the artist has repeatedly expressed his support for Ukraine.
Of course, his professional and personal destiny was fully realized. The films were a huge success, and as a singer until recently she toured and performed in all houses.
Vakhtang Konstantinovich celebrated his golden wedding three years ago with his wife Irina – in the past the lead ballerina of the Tbilisi Academic Opera House. The couple has two children and three grandchildren.
The last role of Kikabidze in the cinema: in 2021 he played Prince Georgy Gabriadze in the Ukrainian series “Matchmakers-7”.
Interestingly, Vakhtang Kikabidze himself was from an ancient noble family.
The best films starring Vakhtang Kikabidze
“Mimino” (1977)
“Mimino” is an absolute masterpiece directed by Georgy Danelia, acclaimed by audiences and critics alike. Georgian “Mimino” – “hawk” is the name of the pilot Valiko Mizandari, the hero of the film, flying in a helicopter over the mountains, carrying passengers, mail, animals.
But one day he decides to tie his fate to big planes.
Half of the sentences in the movie got wings.
The song “Chito-gvrito” in the movie is an all-Union hit.
Award ribbon “Mimino”
Gold Award – Georgy Danelia, 1977, Moscow IFF
Award for best comedy film – Georgy Daneliya, 1978, VKF;
USSR State Prize – Georgy Danelia, Vakhtang Kikabidze, Frunze Mkrtchyan, 1978.
Award “Golden Laceno” – Georgy Danelia, 1979, IFF in Avelino.
A monument was erected in Moscow to the two main characters of the picture, the pilot (Kikabidze) and the driver, played by Frunzik Mkrtchyan.
“Do not be sad!” (1969)
He made a full Georgian film directed by Georgy Danelia, based on the story “My Uncle Benjamin” by the French writer Claude Tillier. Kikabidze played the young doctor Benjamin Glonti.
Glont, St. After graduating from St. Petersburg University, he returned to his native Georgian town. The family of the older sister Sofiko is growing, her husband Luka diligently rewrites newspapers from morning to evening, occasionally going down to the basement to sip wine …
The film is a strange interweaving of funny and tragic events.
“TASS is authorized to declare” (1984)
In the TV movie, Kikabidze played the villain, a CIA agent involved in horrific crimes. But at the same time, the hallmark of Vakhtang Konstantinovich, the “shining” smile, gives his hero a certain splendor.
“Be healthy dear!” (1981)
Kikabidze also served as a director here. The four short stories are about unique boyfriend friendship and kindness to each other. Personally, as I said in a short interview with Vakhtang Konstantinovich, I do not know of a kinder film in the whole world cinema.
Favorite songs of Vakhtang Kikabidze
“I am drunk with love…” (Buba Kikabidze, VIA Orera)
“Chito-gvrito” (“Little Bird”)
“That’s All Talk” (“Two Solitudes”)
“My years are my wealth”
“grape seeds”
Source: Focus
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