For the opinion — no: Andreasyan called Tarkovsky a traitor and refused to apologize

Director Sarik Andreasyan refused to apologize for his opinion, which he expressed during a meeting with film school students about the work of Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986).

Andreasyan, in another publication on his telegram channel, noted that he was advised to apologize "for the tone, not for the opinion."

"I absolutely agree that talking to any people in the above—mentioned tones is bad. Do I apologize for my tone of communication? Absolutely. I apologize to the students and those who might have been offended by this," the director wrote.

At the same time, he added that he was waiting for an apology from "the director of the film school and students for their insulting and mocking tone towards me throughout the meeting."

"Do I apologize for my opinion? Of course not. I don't like Tarkovsky's films, and I also hate onions, and perhaps now onion lovers will attack me with harassment," Andreasyan expressed a curious comparison.

Then he recalled that Tarkovsky hated the films of Sergei Bondarchuk (1920-1994) "and spoke about them with mockery." At the same time, Andreasyan himself loves Bondarchuk's films.

"Especially the movie "Waterloo", which Tarkovsky hated so much. And even more so, the director, who is a dissident and a traitor to the Motherland (Tarkovsky spent the last years of his life in Italy), does not cause me any other feelings," Andreasyan stressed.

As EADaily reported, during a lecture for students of the Moscow International Film School, Andreasyan stated that he "hates Tarkovsky" and considers the author's cinema to be "degrading cinema that remained 60 years ago." Later, having cooled down, Andreasyan wrote in the telegram channel that he does not give up his opinion, it has been formed for a long time, and all film universities in Russia need reform.

Director Alexey German Jr. reacted to Andreasyan's words. In his opinion, the director should not offend the work of colleagues, and also "should have respect for those great creators, such as Tarkovsky, who in many ways shaped Russian culture." He believes that Andreasyan's words will lead to ridicule of himself, because in There are no directors of Tarkovsky's level in Russia today.

Andrei Tarkovsky Jr., the director's son, stated that he had not known about the existence of Sarik Andreasyan until now.

"If you react to the statements of each Sarik, then two lives will not be enough," he said.