SYNOPSIS
Tableau-like pageant-film documents the life of 18th century Armenian ashugh (minstrel) Sayat-Nova. Filled with real as well as fanciful episodes, this "experimental biography" covers the ashugh’s childhood, adolescence, maturity, love, death and immortality.
CAST & CREW
Sergei Parajanov
Director
Script
Sergei Parajanov
Director of Photography
Suren Shahbazyan
Production designer
Stepan Andranikyan
Music by
Tigran Mansuryan
Sound
Yuri Sayadyan
Edit
Sergei Parajanov, Maria Ponomarenko
Cast
Sofiko Tchiaureli, Melkon Alekyan, Vilen Galstyan, Giorgi Gegechkori, Spartak Bagashvili, Medea Japaridze, Hovhannes Minasyan
Production company
Hayfilm Studio
Sergei Parajanov
(1924, Tbilisi, Georgia - 1990, Yerevan, Armenia) In 1942-43 Sergei Parajanov studied at Tbilisi Institute of Engineers of Transportation Means, in 1943-44 - in Vocal Department of Tbilisi Conservatory. At the same time he was taking dance lessons at the Dance Academy next to the Opera Theatre. In 1945, Parajanov transferred to Moscow State Conservatory named for P. Tchaikovsky (pedagogue Nina Dorliak). In 1951, he graduated from the Directing Department of VGIK (Igor Savchenko's master class, later Alexander Dovzhenko’s). Parajanov worked as a director at Dovzhenko Film Studio, Armenfilm and Kartuli Pilmi. In 1973, he was arrested and convicted on trumped-up charges. Spent four years in a strict regime camp. Has been released from jail in 1978. Official rehabilitation was not followed. After his release he lived in Tbilisi, worked for the Kartuli Pilmi. He is a People's Artist of Ukrainian and Armenia (1990).
Filmography
Moldavian Tale (1952, short), Andriesh (Co-Dir. Y. Bazelyan, 1954), Dumka (1958, doc.), Natalia Uzhviy (1959, doc.), Golden Hands (1959, doc.), The First Fellow (1959), Ukrainian Rhapsody (1961), A Flower on the Stone (1962), Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1964), Kyiv Frescoes (1966, unfinished), Hakob Hovnatanyan (1967, doc.), The Color of Pomegranate (1969), Legend on Suram Fortress (Co-Dir. Dodo Abashidze, 1984), Pirosmani (Arabesques on the Pirosmani Themes, 1985), Ashik-Kerib (1988), Confession (1990, unfinished).
