Director, People’s Artist of the Republic of Armenia Ruben Gevorgyants has passed away. He was 72 years old.

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia reports that a governmental commission will be established for the funeral of Gevorgyants.

Ruben Gevorgyants was born on November 30, 1945 in Yerevan. In 1968, he finished his studies in Vardan Atchemyan’s studio based in the Faculty of Directing at Yerevan State Institute of Arts and Theater. In 1971, he worked as a director at the studio for the production of documentary films in Yerevan. From 1982 to 1989, he was the artistic director of the creative union for documentary films at HyeFilm Studio. Since 1989, he has been the director and artistic director of Haik Film Studio for the production of documentary films. From 1995 to 1998, he has lectured at the Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan in Yerevan. In 1998, he lectured at Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Cinema (he has been a professor since 2003).

Gevorgyants has starred in nearly 70 films, including “The Nersisyantsis” (1968), “Following the Traces of a Photo” (1970), “Inspiration” (1972), “The Best Person” (“Path to Return” novel, 1979), “In My World” (1979-89), “Good Trace” (1980), “Armenian Eyes” (1980), “The Fire Sparking at Night” (1983), “As Long As We Are Living” (1986), “Islands” (1987), “White Bone” (1988), “Requiem” (1989), “The Sister from Los Angeles” (1994), “The Thief” (1995), “Parajanov: Last Collage” (1995), “Our Commandos” (2000), “The Time to Gather the Stones” (2002), “The Autumn of the Miracle Worker” (2008) and more.

Gevorgyants has also participated in several Armenian and international film festivals and received 21 awards and diplomas, 6 of which have been grand prizes. He has authored 3 books, including “The Time for Rains”, “The Time for Justification” and “There Is No Time”.  He has starred in the film “Avenger” (2008).

In 1981, he received the Grand Prize at the Oberhausen Film Festival for the film “Good Trace”. Since 2002, he has been an academician of the International Academy of Television and Radio. Since 2004, he has been the President of the National Academy of Cinema and Television. Since 2005, he has been the President of the Union of Cinematographers of Armenia. In 1982, he received the title of Merited Art Figure of Armenia, and in 2006 – the title of People’s Artist of Armenia.