The Colour of Pomegranates (1969)
(Sayat-Nova)
Country: USSR/ARM
Technical: col/1.37:1 79m
Director: Sergei Paradjanov
Cast: Sofiko Chiaureli, Vilen Galstyan, Gogi Gegechkori
Synopsis:
The life of the eighteenth century trans-Caucasian poet Sayat Nova is evoked, rather than told, through a succession of poetic tableaux, combining national and religious symbolism with a surrealist/psycho-analytical interpretation of his verses.
Review:
A unique, and much extolled film, which was cut into both Armenian (non-chronological) and Russian versions, but really only appeared in the West in the 1980s, owing to the authorities' objections that it was obfuscatory and over-religious. There is no dialogue, precious little actual poetry in view of the subject matter, and impressionistic use of sound, which is a polite way of saying there is no direct sound. Divided into chapters (Childhood, Youth, etc.), it tells of the poet's frustrated love for the king's sister, of his cloisterdom and ultimate death; though you would be oblivious to very much without close knowledge of the poetry and culture of the period, which is doubtless most everyone. In short, it seems a lot longer than its running time and, though this is heresy to say so, left the writer largely unimpressed, save by its mastery of formal elements and the striking physiognomy of its lead actress, who plays a number of both male and female roles.
(Sayat-Nova)
Country: USSR/ARM
Technical: col/1.37:1 79m
Director: Sergei Paradjanov
Cast: Sofiko Chiaureli, Vilen Galstyan, Gogi Gegechkori
Synopsis:
The life of the eighteenth century trans-Caucasian poet Sayat Nova is evoked, rather than told, through a succession of poetic tableaux, combining national and religious symbolism with a surrealist/psycho-analytical interpretation of his verses.
Review:
A unique, and much extolled film, which was cut into both Armenian (non-chronological) and Russian versions, but really only appeared in the West in the 1980s, owing to the authorities' objections that it was obfuscatory and over-religious. There is no dialogue, precious little actual poetry in view of the subject matter, and impressionistic use of sound, which is a polite way of saying there is no direct sound. Divided into chapters (Childhood, Youth, etc.), it tells of the poet's frustrated love for the king's sister, of his cloisterdom and ultimate death; though you would be oblivious to very much without close knowledge of the poetry and culture of the period, which is doubtless most everyone. In short, it seems a lot longer than its running time and, though this is heresy to say so, left the writer largely unimpressed, save by its mastery of formal elements and the striking physiognomy of its lead actress, who plays a number of both male and female roles.
(Sayat-Nova)
Country: USSR/ARM
Technical: col/1.37:1 79m
Director: Sergei Paradjanov
Cast: Sofiko Chiaureli, Vilen Galstyan, Gogi Gegechkori
Synopsis:
The life of the eighteenth century trans-Caucasian poet Sayat Nova is evoked, rather than told, through a succession of poetic tableaux, combining national and religious symbolism with a surrealist/psycho-analytical interpretation of his verses.
Review:
A unique, and much extolled film, which was cut into both Armenian (non-chronological) and Russian versions, but really only appeared in the West in the 1980s, owing to the authorities' objections that it was obfuscatory and over-religious. There is no dialogue, precious little actual poetry in view of the subject matter, and impressionistic use of sound, which is a polite way of saying there is no direct sound. Divided into chapters (Childhood, Youth, etc.), it tells of the poet's frustrated love for the king's sister, of his cloisterdom and ultimate death; though you would be oblivious to very much without close knowledge of the poetry and culture of the period, which is doubtless most everyone. In short, it seems a lot longer than its running time and, though this is heresy to say so, left the writer largely unimpressed, save by its mastery of formal elements and the striking physiognomy of its lead actress, who plays a number of both male and female roles.