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Don Askarian, a renowned international filmmaker and photographer from Artsakh, passed away in Berlin on 6 October at the age of 69. He was the brother of sculptor, painter Robert Askarian.

In a Facebook post, the Artsakh Ministry of Culture, Youth Affairs and Tourism has extended condolences to Askarian’s family on the famous film director’s demise.

Born in 1949 in Stepanakert, Askarian studied art and history in Mosco in 1967. He worked as an assistant director and film critic for a year after his study but was imprisoned between 1975 and 1977. In 1978 he emigrated from the Soviet Union to West Berlin, living and working in the country for some 20 years.  He founded his own film company Margarita Woskanian Film Production in Germany in 1982.

Askarian returned to his homeland after Armenia’s independence in 1992.   

His first film was "The Bear" (direction, scripts, costumes and scenery), based on Chekhov's story (1983-1984). From 1985-1988 he made "Komitas", which won several prizes at international film festivals.

In 1995 he founded the production and distribution companies - Don Film in Armenia and in 1998 Askarian Film in Germany. Famous TV channels like ARD, WDR, ZDF, Channel 4, sat, Arte, and others are habitual co-producers and buyers of the films.    

In 1996 his book "Dangerous Light" was published in Armenia. The 192-page book contains the screenplays "In Noraduz", "Komitas", "Avetik" and essays "Chekhov and Cinema", "Dangerous Light", "An Open Letter" by Don Askarian, interviews and reviews from the world press as well as filmography and biographical sketch, with about 60 colour and b/w photography's from the films.

Among his most famous films are “Nagorno Karabkh” (1988), “Komitas” (1988), “Avetik” (1992) “Parajanov” (1998), “Musicians” (2000), “On the Old Roman Road (2003), “Ararat - 14 Views (2007) and others.