Awards :
Lenin Prize (1986, "Earth, This Is Your Son")
Honorary professor at VGIK.
People's Artist of the USSR (1980)
Lenin Komsomol of Georgia Award (1969 for the movies "Father of a Soldier", "Look at These Young People!"),
Nu i molodyozh! : The Lenin Komsomol of Georgia Award (1970, director R. Chkheidze for the movies "Father of a Soldier", "Look at These Young People!")
Prize for the best screenplay (S.Zhgenti for the movies "Look at These Young People!" and "Light in Our Windows"), All-Union Film Festival in Minsk (1973)
Biography
Born on December 8, 1926 in Kutaisi.
Studied at the department of directing at the Shota Rustaveli Tbilisi Theatrical Institute (1943-1946). Graduated from the department of directing at VGIK (1953, workshop of S.Yutkevich, M.Romm).
Since 1953 was a director at "Gruzia-film" studio, since 1973 was general manager of the studio, at present is artistic director.
Started his career in movies as documentary director ("Our Palace", "State Folk Dance Ensemble of Georgia", both co-directed with T.Abuladze). In 1955 made his debut in feature movies with the film "Magdana's Donkey" (also co-directed with T.Abuladze).