Georgian PM pays tribute to late film director Eldar Shengelaia

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has expressed his condolences following the death of acclaimed film director Eldar Shengelaia, describing him as a “brilliant artist” whose work left a lasting mark on Georgian culture.

In an official statement on Monday, Kobakhidze extended his sympathy to Shengelaia’s family, friends, and the Georgian public, calling the director’s passing “a great loss” for the nation.

"Eldar Shengelaia was a genius of Georgian cinema,” Kobakhidze said. “His legendary films, such as Extraordinary Exhibition, Blue Mountains, and The Eccentrics, not only shaped the development of Georgian filmmaking but also played a profound role in the wider cultural landscape of our country.”

Shengelaia, who died at the age of 92, was widely regarded as one of Georgia’s most influential filmmakers. His work, often noted for its satirical depth and poetic style, earned both critical and popular acclaim across the Soviet Union and beyond.

“The memory of this legendary director, along with his beloved films, will live on in the hearts of our people and in the history of Georgia,” Kobakhidze added.