The Color of Pomegranates (Region B)

Director: Sergei Parajanov

 

Starring: Sofiko Chiaureli, Melkon Alekyan, Vilen Galstyan

 

Sergei Parajanov's celebrated masterpiece paints an astonishing portrait of the 18th century Armenian poet Sayat Nova, the 'King of Song'. Parajanov's aim was not a conventional biography but a cinematic expression of his work, resulting in an extraordinary visual poem. Key moments in his subject's life are illustrated through a series of exquisitely orchestrated tableaux filled with rich colour and stunning iconography, each scene a celluloid painting alive with stylised movement.

 

Bonus Features 

 

Disc One

Martin Scorsese's The Film Foundation restoration of the Armenian version (The Parajanov Cut)

The Russian version (The Yutkevich Cut) prepared using The Film Foundation's restored material

Optional annotated commentary on the Armenian Cut by James Steffen, author of 'The Cinema of Sergei Parajanov and advisor on the new restoration

Optional audio commentary on the Yutkevich Cut by Levon Abrahamyan

Disc Two

New 2K restoration of Sergei Parajanov's short film Kiev Frescoe with optional annotated commentary by Daniel Bird

Poetry, Pomegranates and Parajanov: A new appreciation by Daniel Bird

Pomegranates Rediscovered: Cecilia Cenciarelli of Bologna Cineteca on the multi-national effort to save The Colour of Pomegranates

Free Parajanov! Tony Rayns on the campaign to free Parajanov

The World is a Window: The Making of the Colour of Pomegranates

Memories About Sayat Nova: Levon Grigoryan's 2006 documentary featuring extracts from the rushes