Short films and The Legend of the Suram Fortress

Sat 20.01.
19:30

Kievskie freski

Fragments of a feature about the Second World War, which was stopped during the shooting phase by state authorities due to its “mystic, subjective depiction of the events of the Great War of the Fatherland”. The material not destroyed was only rediscovered 20 years after the film was banned.

Hakob Hovnatanyan

Hands wearing precious rings, extremely fine angles, eyes full of concentration and graceful faces: it was above all members of the nobility and the church that painter Hakob Hovnatanyan (1806–1881) captured with great detail and precision. In his cinematic approximation of the work of the Armenian artist, Parajanov accentuates precisely these lavishly rendered details. The portrait of a portraitist emerges across a series of static shots.

Arabeskebi Pirosmanis temaze

Taking the visual worlds of famous painter Niko Pirosmani (1862–1918) as his starting point, Parajanov evokes, reflects on and shows his great appreciation for the artistic universe of the Georgian artist, his still lives, portraits and genre scenes. A surrealistic and phantasmagorical essay.

Ambawi Suramis tsichisa

Fantastical visual worlds of typical Parajanovian extravagance open up before you in the severe framings of the opulently constructed tableaus that Parajanov uses to narrate an archaic Georgian legend. To order to fend off attacks by their enemies, the inhabitants of remote mountain region try to build a fortress. According to a prophecy, the construction can only be successfully completed if a young warrior can be built into its walls while still alive. Young Surab volunteers for the task… Parajanov’s penultimate film – a reflection on the landscape, its inhabitants and their relationship to those in power – was made in Georgia following a 15-year work ban. (mg)