This award-winning documentary chronicles the life, art and wisdom of Wachtang “Botso” Korisheli, a Georgian immigrant, who founded a thriving musical tradition in the Morro Bay, California area, and launched the careers of a number of notable musicians and conductors.

Born in the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, young Botso was affectionately treated by Josef Stalin before Stalin’s brutal regime ordered the execution of Botso’s father, popular actor Platon Korisheli. Botso was allowed 20 minutes to see his father one last time. Here, inside a dark prison, Platon communicated to his son his most important life lessons. This powerful moment helped Botso endure years of suffering at the hands of both the Soviet army and Nazis during World War II and continued to inspire Botso throughout his life, up to his death at age 93. He developed an infectious passion for humanity, the arts, and life itself. Eventually arriving in America with nothing but hope, Botso furthered his musical training and became a beloved educator of children. He went on to touch generations of students, inspiring some of the world’s premier musical artists, including five-time Grammy Award winner Kent Nagano.

Filmed partly in the Republic of Georgia, this feature-length documentary captures the rich culture of an ancient country that shaped Botso’s unique way of teaching. Produced under the auspices of the San Luis Obispo Symphony, profits go toward music scholarships for children for years to come!

Questions and discussion will follow the showing of the film.

Botso’s son, Temmo Korisheli, will attend the film showing on Saturday, March 21st, and share his memories and insights of his father’s life and work. He is an active performer in many musical styles, especially medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque. He has been on staff with the Amherst Early Music Festival of New England for the past 22 years, where he has collaborated with many luminaries of the early-music world. Mr. Korisheli has appeared as soloist with ensembles such as the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, the New York Collegium under Andrew Parrott, and regional oratorio societies; as a guest artist with several university early music programs around the state and beyond. He sang for many years in the UCSB Cappella Cordina.  He is a founding member of the UCSB Middle East Ensemble, sings frequently in the Opera Santa Barbara Chorus, and plays clawhammer banjo.  Suggested donation: $2 per person.