Parajanov at 100 a special program in honour of 100 years since the birth of Sergei Parajanov. The program includes a double-feature, with the screening of the acclaimed The Colour of Pomegranates followed by an insightful documentary Sergei Parajanov: The Rebel . The session includes a Q&A with an international guest (to be announced).

Sergei Parajanov (1924–1990) was a visionary Soviet-Armenian artist and filmmaker whose work defied conventional boundaries and transcended cultural norms. Renowned for his unique fusion of visual art and cinema, Parajanov’s practice was a celebration of creativity unencumbered by political or societal constraints.

THE COLOUR OF POMEGRANATES (Sayat Nova)

DRAMA | 77 MIN | 1969 | ARMENIA | DIR: SERGEI PARAJANOV | M | ARMENIAN, GEORGIAN, AZERBAIJANI WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

Celebrating 100 years of the legendary Armenian director Sergei Parajanov, The Colour of Pomegranates is considered one of the greatest films of all time and influential in film history.

An unconventional biopic of 18th-century Armenian ashugh (troubadour) Sayat-Nova. The film reveals the life of the poet in chapters more through his poetry and stunning imagery, rather than conventional narration. Charting Sayat Nova’s life as he grows, a humble weaver, he falls in love, becomes a king’s minstrel and cloistered monk before being martyred for his faith by invading Persians. Depicted in a lavish tableaux it exists almost entirely outside of standard storytelling techniques, breaking boundaries of traditional cinema. The Armenian version of this film continues to inspire and influence filmmakers today.

Digitally restored beautifully in 2014 enhancing the immersive experience of imagery and soundtrack.

Content warning: Contains nudity, animal cruelty.

Restored in 2014 by Cineteca di Bologna/L’Immagine Ritrovata and The Film Foundation’s World Cinema Project, in association with the National Cinema Centre of Armenia and Gosfilmofond of Russia. Restoration funding provided by the Material World Charitable Foundation and The Film Foundation.

SERGEI PARAJANOV: THE REBEL

DOCUMENTARY | 52 MIN | 2003 |FRANCE | DIR: PATRICK CAZALS | PG | FRENCH, GEORGIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

This documentary is not a straightforward portrait of Armenian film director Sergei Paradjanov’s life, but rather a fluid celebration of his talent and creativity. A fascinating exploration of the collages he produced during his years in prison, and featuring interviews with the director himself, Cazals’ film demonstrates the scope of Parajanov’s artistic vision, lovingly commemorating this rebel of art cinema.

Patrick Cazals permeation of the maestro’s universe is so profound that he brilliantly manages to convey its genius and pain in a skilful combination of images.