Was censured by the Soviet government for 'negativism' and forced to do administrative work for seven years (1932-1939), before being allowed to resume his directing career.
In the Georgian film industry as actor, cameraman and editor from 1923, graduating to directing in 1928.
In 1934-1936 was a general director of film concern Sakhkinmretsvi [ge].
In 1936 left Georgia.
Biography in: John Wakeman, editor. "World Film Directors, Volume One,
1890-1945". Pages 513-515 (as Mikhail Kalatozov). New York: The H.W.
Wilson Company, 1987.
Was appointed Deputy Minister for Film in the 1950s.
Spent eighteen months in Los Angeles during World War II on a diplomatic assignment. This allowed him to watch Hollywood films unavailable in the USSR.