YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 29, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of the 140th anniversary of birth of the reknowned Armenian artist Martiros Sarian (1880-1972), his painting Dogs of Constantinople (1910) has been restored, and a new book – Memoirs about Sarian – is already available.

Filmmaker David Safarian has started the preparations for the production of his film Fairy Tale – Sarian.

Safarian told ARMENPRESS that he recently introduced his project at the Berlin Film Festival’s European Film Market. “Unfortunately very few know Sarian outside Armenia. One of the goals of this film is to make the world to know the great artist. Sarian’s art is unique. French poet Louis Aragon once said, “Time will put Sarian next to our Cézanne, Matisse, perhaps even higher, because Sarian is the painter of light, happiness and hope.” But if we don’t do anything, what can time do?”, Safarian said.

He said that even people who see Sarian’s work for the first time get immediately fascinated.

“The effect of Sarian’s art is magical”, he said.

According to the filmmaker, Sarian is great and shouldn’t only be remembered on only February 29th. Artist’s 140th anniversary of birth is an occasion to start a year-long presentation of Sarian to the entire world, and then we should use the decade to prepare for the 150th anniversary.

Speaking on the film, Safarian said the movie has received State support for its production. “I was at the Berlin European Film Market because this kind of massive project we cannot produce alone, that is possible to be realized only as a co-production. We are now putting together the numbers, completing the budget. Some screen tests are done. I’ve found teenager Sarian. That period of his life is going to have an important part in the film. Sarian was a genius child, he was a genius young man, and wise and genius at an old age,” summarized David Safarian.