The Mulberry Tree (1979), was a hit in Soviet Union and always on TV. A timeless Armenian comedy (in Russian). Directed by Gennadi Melkonyan, scored by Armen Boyamyan, lensed by Vartanov and based on Zorayr Khalapyan's short story about two neighbor families both of which claim the ownership of a huge mulberry tree growing between their houses.

Won an award in Moscow and Gennadi Melkonian brought it to Armenia and gifted to Vartanov. Also won 3 awards at (now apparently defunct) the 9th International Festival of Short and Documentary Films in Lille, France in 1980: The FIPRESCI Award, Best Debut Award and Audience Choice Award.

THE CAST:

Leonard Sarkisov ... Gaspar
R. Aroyan ... Samson
Nona Petrosyan ... Aelita
Tamar Hovhannisyan ... Shushan
A. Alaverdian ... Kid
N. Alaverdian ... Kid 2
B. Ananian ... Kid 3
T. Nurbekiants ... Kid 4
M. Pogosian ... Kid 5

THE CREW:

Gennadi Melkonyan (director, also director's scenario)
Mikhail Vartanov (cinematographer, also director's scenario)
Eduard Akopov (screenwriter)
Armen Boyamyan (composer)

THE MULBERRY TREE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TITLES:

Shelkovitsa (or) Shelkovitza (Russian)
Tteni (Armenian)