Yervant Gianikian: Filmmaker and Shaman
Yervant Gianikian, the Armenian-Italian filmmaker and artist, is remembered for his calm, patient grace and mysterious aura, which he shared with his partner Angela Ricci Lucchi. Together, they were exceptional narrators of 20th-century disasters: World War I, European colonialism (especially Italian), and the barbarism inflicted on bodies. They worked with found footage, recontextualizing historical images. Gianikian's art defies easy categorization, blending filmmaking with a shamanic quality. The article, published on doppiozero, reflects on his legacy as a filmmaker and shaman.
Key facts
- Yervant Gianikian was an Armenian-Italian filmmaker and artist.
- He was known for his calm, patient voice and mysterious aura.
- He collaborated with Angela Ricci Lucchi, who brought Romagna cheerfulness.
- Their work focused on 20th-century disasters: WWI, colonialism, and bodily barbarism.
- They often used found footage from other filmmakers.
- The article was published on doppiozero on July 8, 2026.
- The author is Marco Belpoliti, with Anita Romanello as contributor.
- Gianikian is described as a 'filmmaker and shaman'.
Entities
Artists
Institutions
- doppiozero