“DEBUT THAT DID NOT EXIST”: STORY BEHIND THE CREATION AND DEBUT OF THE MOVIE “COLORFUL PEBBLES” BY S.G. MIKAELYAN

In the present research, based on archival and memoir sources, the story of creation and launch on the screen of the full-length feature stereo movie “Colorful pebbles” (1960), the directional film debut of Sergey Mikaelyan, is studied. Reference to the movie, the literary and director’s script and other sources makes it possible to trace the stages of work on the picture – from the appearance of the idea to issuing the screening certificate. Research on existing materials helps to get closer to understanding some peculiarities of cinema production during the “thaw” period. Thus, referral to the transcripts of meetings to discuss the future movie allows to reveal the engagement strategies of studio’s Arts Council with its author when creating the “controversial” artwork, thereby defining the boundaries of author-developed and censorial parts in working on the movie.