Sergei Tarkovsky, a renowned filmmaker, went to great lengths to show his appreciation for Sergei Paradjanov, who was imprisoned at the time, by sending him a drawing created by his child. This heartfelt gesture did not go unnoticed, as Paradjanov not only annotated the drawing but also forwarded it to the blacklisted filmmaker, Mikhail Vartanov, with the intention of sharing it with his son, Martiros.
As a result of this kind act, Vartanov became deeply inspired and eventually became a disciple of the great filmmakers. In tribute to his mentors, Vartanov released his first film, "The Last Film", which was dedicated to the memory of Tarkovsky and Paradjanov. This remarkable film was later released by the prestigious Criterion Collection.
In addition to his work in the film industry, Vartanov was a highly educated individual, having graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His expertise and knowledge in the field of filmmaking were recognized and respected, as he served as a juror and curator at various film festivals, including those held in Los Angeles, Busan, and DOC LA.
Vartanov's dedication to the preservation and restoration of classic films was also evident, as he worked tirelessly on the restoration of the masterpiece "The Color of Pomegranates", which was later selected for the prestigious Festival de Cannes.
