“In the temple of cinema there are images, light and reality. Sergei Parajanov was the master of that temple…” Jean-Luc Godard
Inspired by ancient manuscript vitrines and camera slate boards, this exhibition repurposesover three hours of newly scanned, unseen film footage and camera tests from directorSergei Parajanov’s masterpiece ‘The Colour of Pomegranates’.The film,described by MartinScorsese as‘likeopening a door and walking into another dimension, where time hasstopped and beauty has been unleashed’,was inspired by 18th–century Armenian poet andmusicianSayat–Nova.
“This singular artist creates a world of incredible internal motion and hypnotizing beauty.” AtomEgoyan
Inthe Soviet era,outtakes wereusually burnt to recycle the silver in the negative film stock.Incredibly, the hours of original footage shot for ‘The Colour of Pomegranates’(originallyknown asSayat Nova)were saved and have now been fully restored. Never seen before inthe UK, they offera stunning series of dreamlike tableauxand a remarkable insight intoParajanov’s creative process.
See the full programme for accompanying events taking place.
Our thanks to curator and film historian Daniel Bird and the Cinema Foundation of Armenia. The Cinema Foundation of Armenia is tasked with supporting films, their archiving, preservation, and circulation, while also backing research, educational, and development programs.
Signup for our newsletter
Stay up to date with CINECITY, be the first to hear about our new programme and other events throughout the year.